Heavy Duty Waterproof Electrical Connectors
Heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors are essential for dependable connections in harsh, wet locations. From industrial applications to off-highway vehicles, these connectors protect against the elements while maintaining a tight seal when mated or capped.
Unlike standard wire nuts used for home wiring, circular waterproof electrical connectors have threaded sleeves that encase and protect internal pins and sockets. This provides a robust and reliable connection that cannot be easily pulled apart or pulled open by vibration, disrupting critical signals or corroding contacts.
Watertight
When it comes to industrial applications, power and signal connections can be exposed to a wide range of wet conditions. Whether it’s humidity, rain, snow, or heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors pressurized water used for washdown, these conditions can lead to moisture ingress and corrosion, both of which can cause equipment failures.
To prevent this from happening, heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors are designed to form an extremely tight seal to protect against wet environments. These connectors are able to do this through their high IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, which include resistance to dust and other particulate matter, as well as protection from both low- and high-pressure water submersion.
Waterproof electrical connectors can also be designed to be mated in a variety of ways to provide the flexibility required by modern factory equipment. For example, some connectors offer built-in busing that allows one wire to connect to multiple receptacles at once. This helps to reduce the number of connections in a cable assembly, which in turn cuts down on wiring labor and increases the speed at which equipment can be assembled.
Another option for industrial waterproof connectors is a circular design that features standard metric-threaded sleeves that encase and protect the internal pins and receptacles. These connectors, such as Fischer Connectors’ UltiMate series, are sealed to IP68/IP69 even when unmated, and feature 360deg EMC shielding, robust keying, and a grounding contact ring to ensure the safe operation of equipment.
Dusttight
Aside from being waterproof, heavy duty dust-proof connectors also offer a hermetic seal. This is important for applications such as vacuum applications or pressurized vessels. Hermetic sealing prevents a loss of pressure over a long period of time and is often required by regulatory agencies for safety reasons.
A hermetic seal is often achieved by a custom rubber piece positioned at the connector interface where male and female contacts mate. This seal prevents ingress of water or harmful particles into the connection area, even when the connector is unmated and exposed to the elements. The type of material for the housing and insulation is also important to consider, since different materials provide various levels of corrosion resistance, environmental protection and hygienic properties.
Another feature that can help ensure a dust-tight seal is a design that incorporates user-friendly features. These may include press-to-release spring latches to prevent accidental unmating, recessed contacts to protect against contact wear, and preassembled rubber seals to save time during assembly. These design features make it easier for workers to install and maintain the connectors in harsh environments.
When selecting a waterproof electrical connector, review the product’s test standard to understand how it was tested for ingress and dust resistance, corrosion resistance, and temperature rating. These factors can influence the overall durability and reliability of the connectors in harsh environments.
Corrosion-Resistant
Corrosion is a serious issue for electrical connectors. It can lead to poor performance and deteriorate the functionality of an entire device. Fortunately, heavy duty waterproof electrical connectors are designed and tested to prevent corrosion. This is especially important in wet environments, including humid climates and marine equipment. Waterproof electrical connectors help to prevent rust, and they also keep dust and dirt out of the device.
To be waterproof, a connector must be sealed properly when it’s not in use. To ensure that a connector will remain sealed when unplugged, the inner contact block of the receptacle must be factory-sealed with high-quality sealing compounds. This process is incompatible with designs that allow customers to put their own contacts into place (crimp contacts). Thankfully, most waterproof electrical connectors come with protective caps for the inner block of the receptacle, so this isn’t a huge problem.
Some waterproof connectors have been independently IP rated for their ability to seal against dust and powerful water jets. Before selecting a waterproof connector, be sure to check its IP rating and compare it to your desired operating environment.
Fischer Connectors offers a wide variety of waterproof connectors and accessories for industrial, mil/aero, automotive, datacom/telecom, transportation, and medical applications. These include molded plugs and receptacles, straight, right-angle, panel-mount, and cable-connecting versions; gold, silver, and gold-over-nickel-plated contacts; crimp, solder, and through-hole terminations; and IP68-rated dust and waterproof protection.
Durable
Using waterproof connectors can help ensure the electrical integrity of equipment even when in wet environments. This includes areas exposed to humidity, rain, snow, and saltwater corrosion. The waterproof seal also helps keep water, dust, and other contaminants out of the connector and equipment, protecting devices from damage and short circuits.
In marine applications, waterproof connectors help to prevent the risk of galvanic corrosion. This occurs when different metals come in contact with each other. Waterproof connectors can protect against this by preventing the passage of electricity through the interface between mating 1 pin electrical connector cables. This prevents current from taking entirely new paths and causing damage to the device.
Fischer Connectors’ waterproof power connectors feature a grommet-type seal that keeps water and other contaminants out of the mating area when mated and unmated. The seal is made of Viton, a fluoropolymer that offers low permeation and broad chemical resistance.
In addition to standard waterproofing, some Fischer Connectors styles offer hermetic sealing for use in severe conditions like immersion for extended periods of time or exposure to strong water jets. Hermetic seals undergo a 100% leak test and are typically rated to IP69K. This is a good indication that the seal will provide the protection required in your application, even after prolonged immersion or exposure to high-pressure water spray. Using waterproof connectors can also help minimize maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of your equipment.