Improved protection against electrostatic discharge

When manufacturing and processing electronic components, electrostatic discharge (ESD = ElectroStatic Discharge) presents a serious hazard for the sensitive electronics. In addition, the increasing miniaturization of semiconductor components means even greater sensitivity to ESD.

Improved protection against electrostatic discharge is thus necessary for not only for the materials and tools used, but  lso for cable carriers. However this can be achieved during handling and assembly only if the plastic cable carriers used have an even lower surface or volume resistivity.

To provide this, KABELSCHLEPP is relying on nanotechnology. The material used in the new ESD cable carriers incorporates carbon nanotubes (Baytubes® from Bayer Material Science). Carbon nanotubes are microscopically small tubular particles made of carbon. The carbon atoms form a honeycomblike structure.

The electrical conductivity of such nanotubes is determined by the details of this structure. The electrical conductivity is increased thanks to the graphite structure on the surface of the material created by the carbon nanotubes as a functional additive. So much for theory!

Even more conductive! ESD cable carriers satisfy tomorrow´s requirements. The new ESD material KABELSCHLEPP cable carriers are now even more conductive and with a surface resistivity of ? 105 ohms surpass by far the requirements contained in the ESD standard (DIN EN 61340).

For the real world, this means: The new ESD cable carriers from KABELSCHLEPP are now even more conductive and with a surface resistivity of ? 105 ohms surpass by far the requirements contained in the ESD standard (DIN EN 61340). Thanks to the large specific surface and the extremely even distribution of the carbon nanotubes in the carrier material, good conductivity is also achieved at the contact points between the chain links and thus over the entire length of the carrier.

Additional benefits: As a consequence of modifying the fiber-reinforced material with nanotubes, the stability of the cable carriers increases as well.

Whether in chip manufacturing, semiconductor production, manufacturing of electronic components or solar engineering, thanks to their low surface resistivity, the new ESD cable carriers from KABELSCHLEPP not only significantly reduce the risk of ESD, but also represent a useful investment with respect to future standards.

For further information, e-mail: i.roth-stahl@kabelschlepp.de

Easy-to-use optical contact for harsh environments

ELIO® is the easiest-to-use optical contact for harsh environments on the market. All the steps are simplified, from cabling through installation to maintenance operations: hermaphroditic contact, tool-less contact insertion and extraction from the connector, female insert optical surfaces always accessible for easy cleaning, sealing of the ELIO® contact on the optical cable without additional adapters and more...ELIO® is the only mass-produced optical contact proven in flight on board the Airbus A380.

Today there are two clear trends regarding data transmission in the aircraft and military markets: constantly increasing transmission rates and the need to save weight. Optical fibre technology is an ideal response to these two trends, providing very high data rates and an immunity to electromagnetic interference which eliminates the need for any form of shielding, often very expensive in terms of weight and complexity.

Moreover, for a given quantity of information to be transmitted, the high optical fibre data rates allow the inclusion of fewer contact points than a standard electrical solution, requiring fewer cable assemblies and in the end still lower weight.

Fully aware of these issues, SOURIAU, in partnership with several of the world's major aircraft manufacturers, has developed the ELIO® high-performance optical contact for applications in harsh environments such as aircraft. This contact has been designed for ease of use in markets where optical technology is unknown or little-known in comparison with conventional electrical solutions. All of this in combination with excellent optical performance in harsh environments: very low optical signal losses even under the highest vibrations and the most severe mechanical shock!

ELIO® technology is qualified according to the most rigorous aviation and military standards, including Arinc 801 and EN 4531 and 4626. ELIO® is the optical technology chosen officially by Airbus for its aircraft; it is the only mass-produced optical contact proven in flight on board the Airbus A380.

The ELIO® contact can be installed either in dedicated high density inserts for Arinc 600 and MIL-DTL-38999 Series III connectors or in standard electrical inserts by means of adapters for ARINC 600 8 Quadrax cavities and recently MIL-DTL-38999 Series III cavities. This adapter solution offers flexibility unrivalled on the market for mixing electrical and optical contacts, exploiting the very wide MIL-DTL-38999 Series III standard electrical range from SOURIAU.

SOURIAU UTS range now includes a new sealed
plastic open face connector for printed circuit boards

The latest addition to the SOURIAU UTS range is a sealed plastic open face connector for printed circuit boards. It is the only one on the market to provide IP68 and IP69K ingress protection ratings, even when it is unmated. The UTS Hi seal PCB version is intended particularly for electronics applications subjected to wide temperature variations, generating condensation, and to submerged environments: instrumentation in humid environments, outdoor light fixtures, road signs, off-road vehicles, wastewater treatment stations, etc.

The latest addition to the SOURIAU UTS range is a sealed plastic open face connector for printed circuit boards.

The UTS Hi seal PCB version stands out through its high level of water-tightness, whether locked or unlocked.

First, when it is not locked, the receptacle is watertight, with IP68 and IP69K rating. This gives it two advantages: if a cap is forgotten, there is no risk of infiltration, so the electronics are protected, and it is an additional guarantee of water tightness when the connector is locked. This technical performance is obtained by retention of the contacts in an elastomer.

Second, in the locked position, the UTS Hi seal PCB version has the performance of the UTS range and also provides IP68- or IP69K-rated sealing. This means that its characteristics are maintained under immersion at a depth of 10 m and during high-pressure cleaning at 140 bar. This sealing is even dynamic: in practical terms, this means that it is maintained even when the cable is moving. The material, a high-performance plastic, withstands UV, shocks and vibration and has excellent tem perature resistance (- 40 °C to 105 °C). In addition, the UTS Hi seal PCB version connectors are resistant to salt spray(> 500 hours), increasing their reliability in outdoor use.

Designed to be soldered on a board, the UTS Hi seal PCB version connector has a washing standoff as standard to facilitate rinsing of effluents after wave soldering. Clips for retention on the board are available on option. The connector is available in 18 configurations, from 2 to 19 pins; it transmits any type of signal and power up to 1000 V and 13 A. It is qualified according to the UL 1977 (Underwriters Laboratories) standard for 250 mating cycles.

Lightweight hermetically sealed connectors with copper contacts

SOURIAU are now able to supply hermetically sealed connectors with aluminium and titanium bodies and copper alloy contacts, using a unique ceramic-to -metal sealing process developed by its subsidiary Pacific Aerospace & Electronics (PA&E). SOURIAU thus enhances its offer by providing a very wide range of lightweight hermetically sealed circular connectors, with weight savings of up to 60%, and including the only hermetically sealed optical fibre connector in the world. This connector line is primarily designed for onboard aeronautical and space applications.

Traditional unsealed connectors, often used for onboard applications, use copper alloy contacts (to provide good levels of electrical conductivity) and aluminium or composite bodies (to save weight). Up to now, sealed connectors, which are used to isolate two zones with different atmospheres, use ferronickel alloy contacts that are sealed into stainless steel bodies by fusing a pearl of glass between the contacts and the body. The high fusion temperature of glass makes it impossible to use high-performance copper alloy contacts and lightweight aluminium or titanium bodies, as they would melt.

To address this issue, the SOURIAU group has developed a ceramic sealing technology with fusion point that is considerably lower than that of glass, making it an ideal material to embed copper alloy contacts in aluminium bodies, thus combining excellent sealing levels (leakage rate less than 10-9 atm.cm3/s), significant weight savings (up to 60% as compared with stainless steel bodies) and excellent levels of conductivity (5 times better when compared to ferronickel contacts).

For further information, view website: www.souriau-industrial.com   Refer to page 111

Electronic locking swinghandle delivers enhanced remote access security

The Southco® H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle delivers efficient electronic access security to datacenter cabinets and industrial enclosures across industries. Designed as an electronic locking platform for indoor applications, the H3-EM can be combined with any access control device for a basic, self-contained electronic access solution. The H3-EM can also provide access control for networked rack control and monitoring systems for addressable remote access control over the Internet.

The H3-EM´s integrated sensors detect both lock and latch status to provide local LED indication plus multiple outputs for remote monitoring. The Swinghandle pr vides momentary or continuous lock actuation and satisfies both single and multipoint enclosure latching needs. The ergonomic H3-EM draws minimal power and can easily be retrofitted and integrated with industry standard rack monitoring solutions. It fits industry standard panel prepar tions and accommodates both left and right doors. Southco can customize the H3-EM with different colors, logos or installation configurations to suit a customer´s applications needs.

The H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle delivers peace of mind by ensuring that datacenter cabinets are securely protected. This added level of security can prevent unauthorized access and simplify cabinet access control.

For further information, view website: www.southco.com/H3 e-mail: info@southco.com or preichle@southco.com