Heavy Duty Waterproof Electrical Connectors
Heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors fulfill important roles in automotive parts assembly systems. They provide power transmission, signal communication, and control functions while withstanding challenging environmental conditions.
Typically filled with moisture resistant materials, waterproof wire connectors are designed for use in wet environments including humidity, rain and snow. They also have excellent protection from water jet sprays.
Robust Construction
A significant factor in the reliability of electrical wiring and systems is the durability of the connectors used to make connections. In harsh environments, where equipment is likely to be exposed to moisture, corrosion can heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors quickly degrade electrical connectivity and lead to failures and hazards. Waterproof wire connectors prevent these problems by creating a seal around the connection point, preventing the ingress of water and other environmental contaminants.
Aside from exhibiting high levels of corrosion resistance, these waterproof connectors are also designed with factors such as pin-count, power ratings, dimensions, and locking mechanisms in mind. This ensures that they can meet the demands of challenging industrial applications, delivering superior performance in wet or hazardous conditions.
VELLEDQ’s waterproof connectors have earned significant traction in the automotive industry, as they provide durable and reliable solutions for car parts assembly systems. This is because they facilitate efficient power transmission and other critical electrical functions in the assembly process, enhancing productivity and quality standards.
The waterproof connectors feature robust, molded plastic housings and stainless steel contacts, providing exceptional protection against impact, shock, vibration, and extreme temperature ranges. They are available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different circuitry requirements, as well as a choice of cable-to-panel and panel-to-cable designs. Their design also allows for easy installation in rugged environments, making it easier for manufacturers to connect and disconnect electrical components as required.
Superior Sealing Properties
Heavy duty electrical connectors are filled with moisture resistant materials to prevent corrosion of the exposed wire ends. They are also typically coated in a material that offers protection from dust and dirt to keep contaminants from disrupting the electrical signals transmitted between the connected components.
Waterproof connectors offer a wide range of IP ratings that can vary from splash proof to waterproof and jet-proof. The IP rating indicates the degree of resistance to dust, short- and long-term immersion in liquids, and exposure to high-pressure water flow. Connectors with a higher IP rating can be used in more challenging environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, vibration, and exposure to humidity.
Many types of waterproof industrial connectors are designed with a seal that compresses an o-ring (typically made from a rubber material) against the surface of the panel or mating connector to create a solid barrier that blocks water and dust from passing through the connections. This type of construction is particularly useful for outdoor systems that may be susceptible to rain or snow and for environments where abrasion and chemicals are likely.
For heavy equipment applications that require a more rugged connection, circular waterproof industrial connectors with a metal shell are available. For example, Fischer Connectors’ UltiMate waterproof circular push-pull connector series is sealed to IP68 when capped and unmated, offering superior water and dust protection for critical equipment in harsh environments. These circular connectors are built with a robust 360° EMC shielding, an extremely robust keying system, and a grounding contact ring to ensure high reliability.
High Current Carrying Capacity
Designed to withstand heavy electrical loads, these connectors feature high current carrying capacity that ensures efficient power transmission. They also provide adequate circuit density to handle multiple pins in a small package, which helps reduce the need for additional connections and minimizes intermittent signals. This allows designers to reduce component size and weight while increasing wiring efficiency.
Specifically engineered for industrial applications, these waterproof electrical connectors are ideal for use in wet and rough locations. They are fully molded to cable in solid rubber and feature oversized contacts to prevent foreign object debris from entering the connection. They can also withstand corrosive environments and extreme temperatures.
Additionally, these heavy duty waterproof connectors feature a direct relationship between shell size and current-carrying capability, making it easy to select the right plug or receptacle for your application. They can accept up to a 10 gauge wire, with pins and sockets available in both male and female variants.
As such, they’re ideally suited for harsh-environment applications, such as marine electronics, datacom/telecom infrastructure, building automation and control systems, traffic control systems, off-road and railway vehicles, mining and instrumentation equipment, stage lighting and sound equipment, and machine tools. The eco|mate Aquarius series, for example, is waterproof when mated and sealed to IP68/69k even when unmated. It features a programmed coupling sequence that ensures that grounding and neutral contacts engage before power contacts for foolproof mating, arc-quenching recessed socket contacts that protect against arcing and sparking, double-stub coupling threads to minimize cross-threading, and left-hand accessory threads to eliminate cable twisting and prevent wire breakage.
Easy Installation
The robust construction of heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors allows them to easily withstand the harsh conditions in waterproof connector manufacturer which they operate. They’re also designed to make it easy for manufacturers or upfitters to install them in equipment. This helps to reduce downtime by reducing the time needed to make and test connections.
For example, AMP’s VG95234 circular power and signal connectors are designed with a reverse bayonet coupling mechanism specifically for ease of use. These circular waterproof connectors have a watertight seal for the internal components and are able to withstand vibration. These features make them ideal for military, industrial control, and transportation designs.
Another option is LEMO’s K-Series waterproof connector solution that uses push-and-twist locking explicitly designed for ease of use and meets the requirements for industrial, mil/aero, datacom/telecom, and transportation applications. These waterproof connectors are available with 2 to 64 contacts in high-density arrangements, making them suitable for space-constrained designs.
Other features of heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors include a hood that encloses the plug insert to protect against dirt, mechanical stress and moisture; screw or crimp terminals for conducting wire cores; a locking or latching sleeve or lever to keep the connector halves together; and a strong enclosure that resists frost and vibration. Some models feature interlocked socket outlets that prevent a plug from being energized unless it’s mated with the correct receptacle.
