Raychem increases range of connectors

Raychem increases range of connectors

Raychem increases range of connectors

Keywords Connectors, Raychem

Raychem is introducing a new series of lightweight connectors to meet growing aerospace industry reliance on digital electronics that are highly dependable, compact, shielded and modular (Plate 7).

"Avionics designers now have an additional tool in their bags to address difficult design challenges without sacrificing installed cost, manufacturability and end-user maintenance", says Brian Procter, European aerospace market manager.

Plate 7 One of the new series of lightweight connectors from Raychem

In the cramped, modular environments found in military and commercial aircraft, space is at an ever greater premium as the number of avionics systems increases. Rectangular connectors are now believed to be the most flexible solution to these problems by improving space efficiency and providing an organised format for wire termination and connector assembly.

The MTCP product line ­ available in Size 16 and Size 22 versions ­ is a complete modular connector system consisting of miniature rectangular connectors and individually removable rear-release contacts. The Size 16 contacts accept standard MIL-C-38999 Series II contacts for AWG Sizes 16 and 18 primary wires or Raychem's SolderTacts contacts for coaxial cables and twisted pairs. The Size 22 contacts will accept Size 20-26 AWG wire.

MTCP rectangular connectors are now available with quick-disconnect mating hardware, EMI shielding accessories and modular inserts that can accommodate a mix of crimp contacts, including power and coaxial. The need for special termination tooling has been minimised, while the ease of manufacturing and maintenance has improved.

Rectangular connectors using jack screws or quick-disconnect hardware can be stacked or panel-mounted next to each other without any provision for "grip" space, a feature which saves considerable panel area. Each MTC connector housing is polarised and has 64 keying combinations. Housings are plated with cadmium over nickel for 500-hour salt-spray protection. Lightweight, low profile backshells are available to increase the shielding effectiveness of the connector.

The MTC50 controlled solder-terminated connector takes up 80 per cent less panel area than conventional aerospace connectors while providing superior electrical and environmental performance. In addition, Raychem's controlled soldering termination technology, using termination boots and miniature SolderSleeve devices, make extremely fine pitch soldering easy, repeatable and up to 40 per cent faster than alternative techniques.

Both MTCP and MTC50 connector modular insert design allows for termination of shielded and unshielded round wire, organised and woven cable configurations, flexible printed circuitry or Raychem's flat conductor cable in any individual connector assembly.

The MTCR series of connectors are rectangular, lightweight and environmentally-sealed, with individually removable rear-release contacts. The Size 12 cavities accept four standard MIL-C-83723 Series III contacts for twisted pairs, coax, triax and 12-14 AWG power cables.

Further details are available from Raychem Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1793 528171; Fax: +44 (0) 1793 572276.