All applications regardless of industry require a reliable connection. Harsh environment connectors play a crucial role in enabling applications to deliver consistent reliable performance while minimizing distortion and power loss. There’s no question that choosing the most dependable connection is the only option, and with a rich portfolio of harsh environment connectors, Amphenol Commercial Products has the ideal interconnect solution for your application.
Let’s examine the key characteristics to consider when selecting connectors for harsh environments and see how Amphenol designs and manufactures optimized rugged solutions with these factors in mind.
First, nearly all electronics are subject to some degree of shock and vibration throughout their lifecycles, which is why you need to determine the degree of robustness your application will need. Some applications experience it in the form of being dropped, while others require the connectors to withstand different shock and vibration levels.
Harsh environment connectors also transmit data in drastically different temperatures, whether they are used in areas where extreme cold, extreme heat, or both are of concern. Finally, you need to consider fluid exposure and dust protection by verifying the IP rating of your selected connectors. Now, let’s explore some of Amphenol’s harsh environment solutions.
First, Amphenol’s MDBR Series, which includes cost-effective rugged D-sub connectors, features ideal solutions for outdoor, automation, industrial, and agricultural equipment. Featuring a high temperature resistant thermoplastic housing and metal die cast shell, these connectors offer strength and durability in the mated or unmated condition, and operate in temperatures of -40° to +105° C.
Amphenol always wants to push the boundaries of their rugged connector solutions and regularly tests products beyond IP67 to offer increased reliability and capability. Their rugged D-sub connectors are notable examples of this dedication; they have been tested to meet IP68 level standards, meaning the connection integrity has been tested 25m underwater for a period of up to 24 hours.
Rugged USB connectors from Amphenol’s MUSBR series, on the other hand, are built with incredible stability in mind, as they are often used in the most extreme environments. Designed to meet a wide range of shock and vibration levels and leveraging an operating temperature of -40° to +105° C, these connectors provide a standard USB interface for crucial applications such as military vehicles and equipment, GPS devices, and medical equipment, reliably transferring data despite intense shock and vibration. To ensure even greater mating area protection for critical applications susceptible to solid matter ingress, designers can also utilize Amphenol dust covers.
Amphenol Rugged USB Type C connectors, also from the MUSBR series and the latest in USB technology, leverage a small profile and allow for upside-up or upside down mating, making them the industry’s most versatile harsh environment connectors. They are also small enough for mobile phones and game controllers, yet they offer the sturdy performance required of connectors for laptops, tablets, and digital cameras/camcorders. With a temperature rating of -40° to +105° C, they offer a sturdy, dynamic connection.
MUSBR connectors currently available are compatible with USB 2.0. Later this year, Amphenol will be launching the next version of the MUSBR series that will be compatible with USB 3.0, which will offer the same reliable connections designers and engineers have come to expect from Amphenol.
Amphenol also meets the connectivity needs of harsh environments where Ethernet/IP protocol is used with modular connector jacks from their MRJR series. These rugged RJ connectors are optimized for a number of applications, such as mobile communication systems, military vehicles, radios, computers, medical and GPS positioning equipment. These connectors operate at a temperature range of -40° to +105° C and have an epoxy free design that protects them from leakage due to extreme temperature changes. The rugged RJ connectors also reliably protect against aggressive fluid ingress, offering protection for IP68 applications. For additional mating area coverage and protection for RJ connectors, Amphenol offers accessories such as dust covers with an operating temperature of -40 to 125 ⁰C.
Highly capable rugged HDMI connectors from the MHDR series are optimized for any application with a standard type A HDMI plug. These applications often include portable computers, medical equipment, broadcast equipment, and outdoor audio/video equipment, among others. At the moment, Amphenol offers a right angle and vertical PCB tail version for their HDMI connectors, which all comply with HDMI specification version 1.4a and operate between -55° and +85° C.
Finally, Amphenol offers custom rugged connector solutions when your application requires unique specifications not easily addressed with a standard connector or connector system. Take advantage of their comprehensive design experience when you need a harsh environment connector built just for you.
A popular alternative connection solution for harsh environments you might come across while determining your application connection needs is the circular style shell solution, which is cylindrical in form and features locking rings that connect the two mating halves. While this solution is sometimes a good choice for industrial applications, it is not necessarily optimized for commercial applications. In addition to being very large and bulky, it is more costly than many of the Amphenol solutions mentioned above.
When you are looking for the industry’s leading harsh environment connectors for your commercial applications, Amphenol solutions are in many cases a superior choice. First, they benefit from a much smaller profile, making them more versatile and convenient, and they also allow for standard mating plugs. As you have seen, they are tested to meet the most demanding standards and deliver reliability when you need it most.
In harsh environments, having a connection you can count on is crucial. Fortunately, Amphenol Commercial Products has extensive experience in designing standard and custom rugged connector and connector systems. When you need a solution that pushes the limits in commercial, industrial, or military environments, Amphenol harsh environment connectors are up to the task.