Choosing Connectors For Tough Environments

With IoT making its presence felt across all industries, practically everything will be connected soon. Choosing the right connector, with care and consideration, can make all the difference in the operation of critical systems.

- Ravi Pagar

Connectivity is the lifeblood of today’s technology-driven world. The term has taken on many dimensions and can be in reference to the Internet, to the data network, to home appliances and devices of all sizes, automobile components, heavy machinery, military equipment, industrial equipment, and so on. Regardless of the context, connectors enable all these diverse systems to stay running and connected. Practically everything today uses circuitry or circuit boards, which in turn use connectors to link the various modules. Therefore, connectors play a vital part in the reliability and ruggedness of a system.

Many of us work indoors in moderate and controlled conditions, so of course the devices and appliances around us lead ‘comfortable lives’. However, most of the electrical and electronic systems and machinery that make our lives run smoothly themselves operate in harsh conditions, exposed to the elements of nature. These systems have to function under conditions that include extremes of temperature, high levels of dust, water and changing pressure.

Connectors provide the entry point for cables into these systems, which can be a point for wear and tear, and breakdown. This makes it critical to ensure that connectors form a secure barrier that safeguards the system even in unpredictable and unforgiving conditions. Choosing connectors that are designed to withstand the rigours of vibrations, extreme temperatures, dust and potentially explosive environments can make all the difference in how well the system holds up over time.

Connectors come in a wide range of options to suit diverse requirements. Designers and manufacturers of systems that are meant for tough and challenging environments should consider several different criteria before choosing the ideal connector for their requirements.