Every industrial connector type has its design, is used in different applications, and combines a different set of signals depending upon its design. It becomes difficult to select the best suitable for the application from various types like circular connectors, power connectors, header & PCB receptacles, etc.
Here are some questions that can help you narrow downing your research and find the best industrial connectors for your application.
- Start your questionnaire by asking about all the electrical requirements for connectors. Before finalizing one, it is important to have information about the number of signals it has in total, the number of currents, voltages, and frequencies that are carried by the connectors, etc. Another important thing to identify is the type of signal that may be analog, digital, power, or maybe a grouping of all the three types. It is vital to identify this as many connectors do support the combination of the signals. It is entirely dependent on the applications that what are the requirement. If the design requires everything to be added in the same connector, then the custom designs are prepared to make it possible.
- With the changes in the size of electronic equipment, miniature connectors gained popularity. Hence, the second question to be asked is about the size and weight constraints in the connectors. Over the past few decades, technology is upgraded so much that even the computers are converted into small laptops. Various machines, because of their heavy weight, fixed in one room and cannot be moved are now on the wheels and can be moved from one room to another. This is made possible by reducing the size and shape of the connectors. Hence, before buying one, check for your application’s design requirement. If your current project requires a particular size of the connector then be specific before finalizing one.
- Now, we are very well aware that connectors are used in various machines that operate in extreme environmental conditions. Hence, the third question to be asked is whether the connector is capable enough to handle any kind of extreme environment situation. Various connectors are available with a threaded coupling that are suitable for that application that produces lots of vibrations and shocks. Such connectors are specially designed to deal with such extreme conditions. Another extreme condition may be dealing with extreme temperature whether it is hot or cold. Before choosing one, it is important to mention the temperature to be dealt with by the connector.
- Now, like extreme environmental conditions, the connectors have to deal with various other conditions like water, dust, oil, gas, chemicals, etc. To protect the connector in dealing with such a situation, environmental sealing must be there. If you require a connector for such conditions, you must ask whether the connector requires sealing to protect it against water, oil, etc. Various industries like medical and food use applications that go through various sterilization procedures. The connector must be tested with hermetic sealing to handle the high pressure of water and extreme temperature.
