In a society where industry is always active, requires a comprehensive range of interconection solutions that are ever up to the task as Bulgin explains
We live in an always-on world where an ever-increasing number of devices are in constant contact; collecting information and responding to external inputs under almost every type of environmental stress. Ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, under often challenging conditions requires durable, environmentally sealed connectors, so OEM manufacturers and suppliers need to work with knowledgeable and experienced interconnectivity partners to guarantee consistent and reliable operation of systems.
The Bulgin name is synonymous throughout the electronics industry for connectors, fuse holders and switches for a wide range of applications. An Elektron Technology connectivity brand, the company combines many years of experience in producing robust, environmentally sealed connectors with a comprehensive design process to ensure rapid development of ‘right first time’ products that meet the ever-changing needs of this fast-paced industry.
The latest addition to the company’s Buccaneer range of rugged waterproof power, signal and data connectors is the Buccaneer 6000 Series. This new range is both compact in size and durable, similar to the devices in the existing range; with an easy-to-use push-pull coupling system which can be connected up to ten times faster than a traditional screw thread mechanism.
These devices are designed to withstand the harshest environments, and are available in fully interchangeable metal and plastic constructions, meeting IP66, IP68 and IP69K standards.
This series of devices include data (USB V2 or RJ45 Ethernet), signal and power versions up to 16A and 277V. All versions feature body mouldings and pin carriers that have been specifically designed to create a robust interface while avoiding damage during coupling. This guarantees a correctly sealed connection – even where access is restricted.
One of the potential applications for these connectors is the solar industry, which is currently seeing strong growth. Despite recent moves in Europe to reduce subsidies for solar technologies, there is still a great deal of interest in this green industry.
Large solar energy farms are being constructed throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East. Creating a stable energy supply from these facilities requires advanced electronic control, balancing many individual solar invertors to stabilise output. This modular approach to power generation requires numerous signal and data connections, each of which must be compact and resilient to penetration by dust or moisture, as well as UV resistant, to withstand long-term outdoor exposure.
The Ethernet connectors from this series are ideally suited to this application, providing the necessary environmental protection while being extremely easy to couple and uncouple without risk of damage. Its design offers through panel sealing to prevent the ingress of water into the equipment, even if the sealing cap is left off.
Another target applications is the food processing industry. Food production is an around-the-clock, always on the go industry requiring a vast array of electronically controlled equipment, from conveyors, dispensing machines and ovens with remote monitoring and control connectivity requirements, to printers, weighing systems and product inspection equipment with advanced data capture, transfer and storage needs.
All of this machinery is governed by strict food safety and hygiene standards and, as a result, many systems in the food production environment are subjected to regular cleaning and washdown procedures, creating the need for robust, dustproof and waterproof connectors to ensure reliable power, signal and data transfer. Reliability is a crucial consideration in this industry, where failure of a single connection can halt an entire production line, potentially leading to lengthy downtime and significant revenue losses while the fault is diagnosed.
The push-pull coupling of these new devices provides a straightforward and robust solution to this issue. An integrated locking mechanism requires just a 300 twist of the coupling ring to completely secure the connector, this ensures rapid installation, replacement and maintenance of equipment, without the need for specialist tools or expertise. This allows more connections to be fitted into a confined space, while still offering rigorous IP66, IP68 and IP69K rated ingress protection.
The connector range also simplifies casing and panel design for food processing applications by providing a common fitting for both data and power connections.
This ‘single solution’ approach highlights the benefits of working with a knowledgeable and experienced industry partner such as Bulgin, offering the convenience of a single supplier and comprehensive technical support to ensure interconnectivity solutions are perfectly matched to the intended application.
Stuart Hutchings, Marketing Manager for Bulgin, commented: “Everything we do is geared towards providing the best possible performance for our customers. Our knowledge and expertise give our customers complete confidence in the quality and reliability of our products, and our pioneering approach ensures we are able to meet the demands of tomorrow’s marketplace, not just today’s.
“As each of our products includes everything that is required to create a sealed connection, you can be sure that Bulgin connectors will provide trouble free, ‘fit and forget’ connectivity in the harshest of environments.”
