What harsh environments require IP rated connectors?

　　Harsh environments can present a host of challenges for any electronic device.One risk is easily predictable and can be addressed with the right components:electronic connectors.Even in a completely sealed enclosure,connectors provide an opportunity for contaminants to seep into the component and potentially damage it.The right type of connector is also important;the materials and mechanical properties used in the connector assembly protect the device from other factors encountered in harsh environments.

　　Some harsh environments require reliability to be ensured by connectors with specific levels of protection.These connectors may be standardised for a particular interface or pin arrangement,or they may be enabled with customisable pin configurations for maximum flexibility.If you are designing a system that may be exposed to liquid or solid contaminants,it is critical to understand the IP rated connector specifications and how to select them for your design.

　　About Ingress Protection(IP)Ratings

　　Any electronic or electromechanical system can be affected by contaminants such as dust or moisture.Ingress Protection(IP)ratings are used to classify how well a device is sealed against these and other contaminants.The rating uses a two-level scale to quantify Ingress Protection and Moisture Protection,which then results in an overall rating for the product.The rating is typically used to describe electronic component housings or complete assemblies,but also applies to mechanical housings.

　　IP ratings are standardised in IEC-60529 and are read using a two-digit code(e.g.IP65).IP ratings can be decoded as follows:

　　IP[solid debris rating][humidity rating]

　　In general,the larger the number in the code,the greater the protection against solid debris and liquid contaminants.The following chart summarises the wide range of operating environments for IP rated products.

　　For electrical connectors,the connector housing,insulator,contact type and material together determine the IP rating of the assembly.It is the designer's responsibility to determine the IP rating required for a particular deployment environment.

　　Matching IP-rated connectors to harsh environments

　　When selecting an IP-rated connector,the first consideration is the worst-case scenario of solid or liquid contaminants that may penetrate the connector housing.Certain environments will present additional factors to consider in connector design,depending on the substances the system will encounter.

　　The following are some of the environments where IP rated connectors are often required:

　　Industrial Equipment

　　Depending on the type of equipment used in industrial environments,connectors with IP65 or higher ratings are required.This is because these connectors may need to withstand water flow at various pressures,but they are unlikely to be submerged in every industrial environment.

　　These connectors also have the highest level of protection against dust,which is essential in many manufacturing environments.

　　Marine Environments

　　Electronic connectors deployed outdoors on ships need to be rated at least IP64 to ensure they can withstand splashes without moisture entering.A better option is to use IP67 rated connectors to ensure that the devices can withstand submersion in shallow water.Very rugged marine electronics will require IP68 rated connectors to ensure that the device can be removed from deep water without entry.

　　Military Equipment

　　Electronic equipment in military systems is held to the highest standards of qualification and operation.Any military equipment deployed on the battlefield needs to have the highest level of reliability,which requires water and dust resistance.

　　IP67 rated standardised connectors allow signals and power to be transmitted through a single cable assembly,and these options are backward compatible with legacy equipment that typically uses unsealed connectors.

　　Outdoor Consumer Electronics

　　Most applications that deploy equipment outdoors should be IP65 compliant.Two common examples are lighting and security systems.Products deployed outdoors will have the highest reliability with IP66 or IP67 rated connectors.

　　These connectors come in standard profiles and pin arrangements,as well as a variety of shell material and insulator material options.Most connector styles are available in a wide range of options,allowing you to pick the perfect connector for many environments and operational requirements.

　　Should you use custom connectors?

　　Because the IP rating of IP rated connectors is based on moisture and solid debris ingress,the connector you need may not be perfectly suited to the environment in which your design is deployed.Standardised IP rated connector housings and pinouts may also not meet your specific electrical needs.If the standard connector options do not meet your environmental or form factor requirements,you can always contact us for custom connector and cable assemblies.