Rugged and Ready

contact and improved performance in vibration- prone or low-signal circuits. • Termination methods. Crimping is generally superior to soldering for mobile equipment. A proper crimp forms a gas-tight joint that resists oxidation and vibration, whereas soldered joints create rigid stress points susceptible to fatigue cracking. • Strain relief and overmolding. Strain relief features, backshells, or overmolded cable assemblies distribute bending loads and protect terminations from mechanical stress. • Mechanical retention. Secondary locking features and positive latching mechanisms prevent contact movement and accidental disengagement. • EMI shielding. For signal lines, 360° shield termination maintains continuous grounding and reduces susceptibility to noise. • Current derating. In sealed systems, limited airflow reduces cooling. Connectors should be selected using conservative derating practices to prevent thermal overload. Connector types commonly used in heavy equipment Different interconnect styles address varying elec- trical and mechanical requirements within the same machine. High-density signal interfaces may use compact rectangular formats such as Micro-D or D-Subminiature connectors. Circular connectors are frequently selected for sealed I/O and sensor interfaces where secure coupling and environmental protection are required. Inline wire-to-wire connectors provide serviceable harness breakpoints, while ring terminals remain common for high-current power and grounding connections to studs or bus bars. When packaging, sealing, or retention needs exceed standard solutions, semi-custom or fully customized designs are often developed to meet specific environmental and mechanical requirements.

Sealed metric circular connector with threaded coupling

Validation and testing Validation ensures interconnects can survive the defined lifecycle. Relevant standards include: • Ingress protection (IEC 60529 / ISO 20653). IEC 60529 defines standard IP ratings such as IP67 for immersion protection. ISO 20653 is specific to road vehicles and includes IP69K testing for high- pressure washdown. “ Customized designs are often developed to meet specific environmental and mechanical requirements.