Rail connectors cope with harsh Alpine conditions

29th August 2014

Nat Bowers

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Specifically designed for use in the harsh conditions encountered on Alpine railways, Multi-Contact has introduced a heavy duty connector range. Operating over a temperature range from -35 to +40°C, the connectors provide power, data and compressed air links between carriages and can withstand high levels of mechanical strain, shock and vibration.

Although developed for the rail industry, the connectors are also suited for heavy industry, mining and infrastructure applications.

Operating highly reliably in extreme conditions of snow and ice, the handle on the sturdy cast aluminium casing can withstand being struck by a hammer - necessary when uncoupling carriages covered in snow and ice. In order to reduce mechanical strain on the cable and make it easier to connect, the plug side of the coupling is flange-mounted and angled at 15° to the vertical.

While the connectors supplied for the Swiss railway have a 32 pole configuration for signal contacts and an eight pole data bus, other configurations can be produced to customer specifications with various power, control, data and compressed air channel combinations. The electrical connections utilise a proprietary contact system from Multi-Contact. MULTILAM technology uses torsion spring contact elements to produce multiple contact points. This ensures high reliability and low contact resistance.

The connector range is rated for voltages up to 1,000V and currents up to 250A. With a special safety cap to protect the interior from snow and dust, the connectors provide IP65 protection when mated and IP2X protection when unmated.