Narrow connectors save panel space

Offering a more compact alternative to their very popular 26mm wide XLR form factor product range, the SLIMS connectors are just 19mm wide allowing up to 20 to be mounted in a 1U, 19-inch rack panel, rather than just 16 of the existing XLR design with cut out dimensions of 17.15mm (0.675in) x 22.86mm (0.9in) with mounting hole centres of 29mm.

The narrow form factor is widely used by audio, broadcast and communications manufacturers in the USA and becoming more popular in the UK and rest of Europe for increasing panel density and for products being exported to North America.

Designed and manufactured in the UK the first SLIMS versions to be made available are the widely used data connector types RJ45, HDMI and USB 2 and 3.

Mounted in a black plastic shell the new SLIMS connectors may be mounted to the front or rear of control panels, have assembly options of 3.2mm plain holes, countersunk holes or 2.5mm plain self-tap holes.

The mounting holes are on the central vertical axis of the connector.

Cliff’s FeedThrough connectors allow standard, off the shelf, connecting cables to be used for internal connectivity, simplifying and speeding up system assembly and facilitating easy repurposing of equipment.

Leaders in the design and manufacture of FeedThrough connectors, Cliff’s wide range of XLR form factor types allows designers to integrate audio, video, digital, optical, networking and data feeds into professional equipment for broadcast (studio and mobile), lighting, audio, medical diagnostic and treatment equipment, PoE and industrial applications, instrumentation and control connectivity.

The most popular connectors in Cliff’s FeedThrough range are CAT 5e RJ45, CAT 5e Shielded RJ45, CAT 6 RJ45, CAT 6 Shielded RJ45, HDMI Female – Female, USB 3.0 A-A, USB 2.0 B-A and USB 2.0 A-A. All widely used in data and audio-visual applications.

“North America is the largest market for audio, broadcast and entertainment systems and has many data and industrial control system manufacturers.” Says John Hall, Managing Director of Cliff Electronics.” Our new SLIMS FeedThrough connectors will not only grow our component sales in the USA but will also be welcomed by other system builders selling their products there.”