Rugged and Ready

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harsh environments, many other applications, including industrial, robotics, security, agriculture, and marine equipment, need ruggedized connectors. Each of these environ- ments presents its own combination of challenges when it comes to con- nector design and selection.

COAX Pro 50 White Bronze N-type sealed IP68 front-mount bulkhead crimp top hat clamp jack Likewise, while white bronze plat - ing is commonly used in telecom- munication applications because it doesn’t tarnish and, as such, maintains its connection for longer, modern high-performance coatings, such as zinc-nickel and zinc-cobalt, offer optimal performance for connectors employed in industri- al, military, aerospace, and other harsh-environment applications due to their inherent resistance to corrosion. For environments where reflection of light is undesirable, non-reflective plating finishes are available. “ For environments where reflection of light is undesirable,

COAX N Type Connectors BNC dust cap with cord and eyelet In environments with a possibility of ingress of liquid, steam, or dust, a designer needs to select a design with the correct ingress protection (IP) rating. The connector’s IP rating defines the level of protection it pro - vides against the intrusion of both dust and water. For example, an IP67 rating provides dust-tight pro- tection against the ingress of solid contaminants for two to eight hours of continual exposure and protec- tion against water ingress when immersed in depths of 15 cm to 1 m for up to 30 minutes. IP68 provides the same protection from solids but also protects against long-term im- mersion up to specified depths and water pressures. To protect unused connectors from liquid, dust, and dirt ingress, the use of IP67/8 dust caps is recommended. These caps can be tethered with a safety cord and eyelet to prevent the dust cap from damage or being lost when the connector is in use. IP ratings protect the connector and extend its life, and by extension, the service life of the application. Connectors deployed in hazardous atmospheres, such as those used at sea, are at risk of damage asso - ciated with submersion in salt water and exposure to saltwater vapor, both of which can lead to corro- sion. The selection of the correct base material and plating will offer longer term protection against the effects of corrosive environments and help ensure the integrity of the connection.

N Type Connector used in agriculture applications Connectors deployed in damp atmo- spheres, particularly those where solvents or other harsh substances are present, are at risk of corrosion and the resultant loss of signal performance. In addition to liquids, the ingress of dust and dirt can also severely damage the performance of the connector and shorten its useful life. Connectors in applications that are subjected to vibration or movement require a secure locking mechanism to maintain signal integrity. Thread- ed and bayonet connectors provide positive mating and a constant signal path. RF connectors made with stronger base materials, such as stainless steel, typically allow for rougher handling without the risk of diminished performance, offer more corrosion resistance, and support higher operating tempera- tures than those made with less robust base materials, like brass. For example, by virtue of their material characteristics, threaded connec- tors made of stainless steel rather than brass can be torqued up more tightly to offer greater resistance to force and vibration.

non-reflective plating finishes are available.

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