Read our article about Waterproof connectors for the Home A/V and super yacht world from In2Connect UK Ltd and Conec, written for "Hidden Wires" the
UK and European custom install home automation and home entertainment trade magazine.
http://hiddenwires.co.uk/resourcesarticles2012/articles20121105-01.html
http://www.linkedin.com/company/in2connect-uk-ltd?trk=hb_tab_compy_id_1461710
Product Article: Waterproof Connectors
(5/11/2012)
By Bob Hart, In2Connect UK
Outdoor or wet indoor environments can
destroy electronic equipment. The ubiquitous HD15 VGA D-sub connector
was never intended to withstand contaminants such as water and dust, but
client demand for A/V everywhere is carrying such connectors into less
tolerant environments. So what connectors can you use for installations
in saunas, wet rooms, indoor and outdoor poolsides, bathrooms, outdoor
CCTV and security systems or even superyachts - where anything from
moisture through to water deluge might be encountered?
Examples of environments that require waterproof connectors.
Waterproofing of components is arguably the
first major add-on to the existing features of an indoor interconnect,
and it is clear that most installers don't want to reinvent
interconnects, they want manufacturers to adapt products that they're
already well used to.
D-sub connector.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) code
Weather-protected, weather-resistant,
weatherproof, all-weather, water-resistant, waterproof - what's the
difference? For the systems integrator, these terms could easily be
interchangeable or confusing, so it's best to refer to the IEC code. The
ingress protection (or IP) code defined in IEC's international standard
60529 classifies the level of protection provided against the intrusion
of solid objects, dust, water, and accidental contact.
The first digit of an IEC IP rating
indicates the level of protection the enclosure (connector) provides
against access to hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign
objects. The second indicates equipment protection levels inside the
enclosure against harmful water ingression. Breaking down an IP67 rating
then, the '6' indicates total protection against dust ingress and
complete protection against electrical contact. The '7' means protection
against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m.
Conec waterproof IP67 D-sub connectors from In2Connect.
IP68 and 69 connectors can offer protection
against longer periods of immersion under pressure - of course this is
always dependant upon proper installation following manufacturer's
guidelines, but even then, we're not talking continuous immersion at any
great depth, although the UTS Hi seal connector is claimed to ensure
stable characteristics on immersion at a depth of 10m and during
high-pressure cleaning at up to 140 bar.
To achieve IP67 or higher, most protected
connector designs work on the same principle as the waterproof D-sub
connector where the aim has been to reduce the number of components that
make up the connector, thus removing all possible leakage paths.
Manufacturers also tend to add a mounting plate with a silicone O-ring
to create a watertight seal at the panel interface and backpotted screw
machined contacts to prevent water ingress through the connector body.
Backpotted screw machined contacts prevent water ingress through the connector body.
Data and A/V Connectors for Marine Environments
The use of USB, FireWire and HDMI
connectors has grown considerably and is no longer limited to just the
home entertainment market. These interfaces are being found more and
more in audio systems that require computer-based equipment, such as
superyachts and commercial shipping.
Entertainment systems on the external decks
are one of the greatest sound and lighting challenges on a boat. To
offer suitable water resistant solutions, connector manufacturers have
extended their offerings to encompass D-subs, RJ45 for Ethernet, USB
2.0, M12 circular sensor and actuator connectors, fibre optic LC (ODVA),
FireWire and HDMI. Applications include indoor and outdoor on-board
cinema, IT, communication, security, lighting and automation systems on
luxury motor boats, sailing ships and super yachts; and onboard
waterproof TVs or on-board digital signage and advertising systems for
cruise ships, ferries and public service vessels.
On-deck entertainment.
Basically, the discerning yacht owner wants
to be as connected at sea as they are in their office, so given the
huge expense of cabling large yachts and cruise liners, optical fibre
cable with its inherent EMC resistance and super-wide bandwidth (for
future proofing) is increasingly being used.
Conec's IP protected dual LC interface is
ideal for use in deck or bridge situations. The IP67-rated LC product
family features a 1/6th turn bayonet coupling for fast and secure
mate/unmate, even with gloved hands. To optimise chemical resistance, UV
resistance, and tolerance to physical abuse, In2Connect offer these
connectors in two different housing materials: black plastic and
nickel-plated, zinc die-cast. All connectors are duplex LC type, in
single-mode, multi-mode, and APC types. The product line includes
panel-mounted receptacles, mating plugs, and protective caps.
Pre-assembled jumper cables including cables suitable for outdoor use
and direct burial, in standard lengths from 1 metre to 300 metres are
also available.
The In2Connect IP67 fibre optic duplex LC connector range.
Connectors for all Weather Conditions
For content that needs to be clearly
displayed to a large audience over a long viewing distance in all
weather conditions as in video walls, there is really only one suitable
choice and that is LED-based display technology. Connectors such as
In2Connect's solder bucket 'pintail' SP13 and SP21 ranges rated IP68 are
ideal for interconnecting video screens. We have worked directly with
the manufacturer to produce a connector that doesn't compromise
electrical and mechanical properties whilst being competitively priced.
The connector bodies are moulded from glass-filled nylon and are
available in free plug, cable end receptacle and fixed jam nut
receptacle formats, all with dust caps to suit.
The In2Connect pintail SP13 plug and socket.
Plug and socket can have either male or
female solder bucket contacts factory-fitted to allow design flexibility
and polarisation. They were designed to be lightweight, corrosion
resistant and RoHS compliant with additional improved product features
over competitive products such as planform contact identification by
raised numbering for easy identification of circuits to save time and
money when soldering or repairing incoming cables. Contacts are solder
cup and are an integral part of the insulator, resulting in fewer piece
parts or crimp contacts to lose and no need for expensive crimp tools.
To simplify the field assembly process, the
dual O ring sealing means that the integral backshell can be easily
removed in two sections to allow accurate soldering of the incoming
cable. The threaded bodies provide a quick and easy connection to reduce
installation and service time and have inbuilt key/keyway orientation
with good cable waterproofing and retention by virtue of a rear
compression nut.
Cross-section of SP13 and SP21 IP68 pintail plug.
Sealed Mini-USB 2.0 Connectors
Conec now offer sealed Mini-USB 2.0
connectors. These Mini-USB 2.0 Type B watertight connectors are
integrated into a black plastic housing with a bayonet locking feature
for harsh environmental applications. A quick-connect bayonet locking
mechanism provides audible and noticeable feedback to reassure the user
that an IP67 watertight connection is made. No further mounting tool is
required to make this simple, fast and robust connection.
The range includes a panel receptacle which
may be PCB-mounted or used with a flex circuit. The overall dimensions
are compact and require only a 12mm diameter panel cut-out. The
pre-terminated patch cables with an over-moulded IP67 Mini USB Type B
plug and an over-moulded USB Type-A plug are available in 2mm, 3mm and
5mm lengths. Protective covers are available to maintain IP67 protection
when the connectors are not mated.
The Conec IP67 Mini-USB 2.0 connector from In2Connect.
M12 connectors are waterproof and Conec
M12x1 X-coded connectors have been developed for transmission technology
according to CAT6A and 500MHz/10Gb, and are standardised to IEC
61076-2-109. These X-code connectors have 4 shielded pairs, for reliable
high speed data transfer in such applications as vision systems and
other high-speed data transfer, plus industrial-grade materials for
harsh environments, all in the small M12 connector.
Waterproof Conec M12 connectors from In2Connect.
Waterproof RJ45 Connectors
D-sub and circular multipin in/out
connectors are relatively chunky with or without additional protection,
but the transition of RJ45, USB, FireWire and optical fibre to less kind
environments has required the application of the type of reinforcement
associated with MIL-C circular connectors. For Ethernet, the industry
has gravitated toward an RJ45 connector type with a bayonet latching or
screw-threaded coupling mechanism according to user choice.
The Conec RJ45 IP67 industrial Ethernet connector system
Conclusion
The cost to the installer of system failure
due to water ingress can be high in terms of money, time and
reputation. It is no good just using waterproof components such as
displays, loudspeakers, lighting, cameras, controllers etc - the cables
and connectors tying it all together must also be of the right
specification in order to ensure a reliable and long-lasting
installation.
In2Connect stocks waterproof connectors
from Conxall, Neutrik, Conec, Weipu, EDAC and many other manufacturers
with the aim of making it easier for integrators and specifiers to save
both time and effort in finding the right waterproof connector system
for a given application.
Bob Hart is a Director of In2Connect UK Ltd, the UK's prime source for
PCB and backplane, D-sub, rectangular and multiway circular connectors,
cable assemblies and wire harnesses.
www.in2connect.uk.com
