The Power Connection

Several companies have focused on connectors that address different alternatives to provide power to an entire system or different portions of the system. Design goals behind these connectors include space saving and reduced installation cost, while handling power instead of data. The challenges of several amperes and hundred of volts require special consideration to the terminals and the package isolation spacing.

RECEPTACLES AND CORDSETS FOR POWER

TURCK Inc. developed six and eight-pin M23 powerfast encapsulated receptacles and assembled cordsets. Targeted at motors, material handling, and other heavy-duty applications, the M23 units can provide power with ratings up to 28A at 600V. The six-pin configuration uses six #12 AWG to achieve the 28A and 600V capability. The eight-pin units use four #12 AWG and four #18 AWG for 8 A and 300 V ratings. The configurations are available with PVC cables providing waterproof protection to IEC IP 67. The front-mount mating receptacle comes in a fully encapsulated brass housing. For more information on Turck's M23 powerfast receptacles and cordsets, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4416-551.

DOCKING CONNECTOR FOR POWER DISTRIBUTION

Tyco Electronics developed a panel-mount Multi-Beam XL cable assembly with "slide-to-lock" capability. The new slide-to-lock product reduces installation time by 75 percent with a "hardware-less" mounting feature but still provides the float required for blind-mate drawer applications. The connector snaps into a panel and can be removed without special tools and provides ± 0.030 inch floating in the X and Y directions. The assemblies use a single, docking-type connector for power distribution combining dedicated power and signal contacts into one interface. Target applications include telecom and industrial equipment such as modular power supplies, pluggable power distribution systems, and high-end computer fan trays. For more info on Tyco Electronics' Multi-Beam XL connectors, go to http://rbi.ims.ca/4416-550.

HIGH CURRENT EDGE CONNECTOR

Molex designed its high-current Power Edge connector for direct mating to a 1.58-mm (0.062-inch) thick, double-sided card edge pc board or bus bar tab. Rated up to 40A, the connector offers a 25 percent higher rating compared to other connectors and can be stacked end-to end with multiple bus bar tabs or card edges up to 8 inches (203.2 mm) for power distribution applications. The design allows users the option for powering different voltage levels on either side of the board, including a ground return on one side and power return on the other. Contacts in these units incorporate copper alloy and gold plating interface points with double-sided card edge contacts for optimum mating. The contact is end-to-end stackable and uses the same pc board footprint as existing products.

For more info on Molex' Power Edge connectors, go to http://rbi.ims.ca/4416-552.

CARD EDGE POWER CONNECTORS

Tyco Electronics' Elcon Mini CROWN EDGE style connectors offer low profile, high-current power connectors for pluggable 1U and 2U Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs). The high-performance true power contacts are each capable of 25A. Targeting card-edge style power applications, a design for VRM 10.2 can carry up to 150A, while other configurations are capable of 200A or more. Compared to other VRM connectors using U-shaped contacts, these connectors are isolated from each other, allowing for numerous power distribution options. For more information on Tyco Electronics' Mini CROWN EDGE connectors, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4416-553.