MPC modular plug connectors at Railtex 2019

15th April 2019

Alex Lynn

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A variety of rugged connection products from Stäubli Electrical Connectors will be on show at the Railtex exhibition in Birmingham this May. They include versatile modular connectors that can be adapted to a range of different roles. One such product is the MPC modular plug connector which is suitable for power transmission applications in electric rail vehicles.

Rated at 3,600V and up to 700A, the MPC modular plug connector can be used for connecting transformers, traction motors, inverters and batteries as well as inter-carriage power links.

As many as 15 single pole power contacts can be combined, with up to five joined side by side in up to three layers. Linear versions can be configured to produce flat connectors, which are particularly suited for under-floor mounting.

Another modular connector system on the Stäubli stand is CombiTac, which can be used to connect battery packs used on rolling stock and other rail applications. The panel mount connectors are well suited for use with rackable, slide-in battery packs where blind connection is necessary, helped by wide alignment tolerances of three degrees and +/- one millimetre.

A typical configuration has two 12mm diameter power contacts and twelve 1.6mm signal contacts for monitoring battery parameters such as temperature. Various sizes of power contacts can accept a wide range of cable cross-sections, and a make first/break last pilot contact can also be included.

Also on display will be earth bonding hinges, which remove the need for earthing straps on doors for trackside cabinets for example. They make a high quality earth connection automatically when the door is hung on the cabinet. As well as saving time, safety is enhanced as there is no risk of forgetting to fit earthing straps or not fitting them correctly.

Railtex takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK from 14th to 16th May 2019. Stäubli Electrical Connectors can be found on stand V57.