8 steps for properly specifying rugged connectors

April 16, 2020 · 2 min read

Read this insightful article by David Cianciolo, Director of Engineering at Fischer Connectors U.S., published in ConnectorSupplier’s ‘March 2020 Harsh-Environment Connectivity eBook’ (pp. 8-14): “Designing Harsh-Environment Connectivity: Eight Steps for Properly Specifying Rugged Connectors and Questions to ask During the Process”.

Rugged connectors are built for harsh conditions. Both the internal and external components of rugged connectors are made to withstand challenging environments, sterilization and frequent mating and unmating, but they aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different rugged connectors are built for a variety of applications.

 

Because rugged connectors are often used in military, medical and other harsh-environment applications where risk must be minimalized, a careful evaluation and selection process is paramount to success. Adding to that pressure is the increased demand for devices to transmit more data using smaller connectors.

As such, there are a number of variables to look for when compared to consumer-grade connectors.

 

There are eight steps for you to take (detailed in the complete article online):

 

  • Step 1: Understand Your Application
  • Step 2: Evaluate Connector Basics
  • Step 3: Consider Sterilization Methods
  • Step 4: Examine Your Need for Speed
  • Step 5: Examine Connector Characteristics for Reliability
  • Step 6: Understand Connector Materials
  • Step 7: Understand the Details of IP Ratings & Sealing Types
  • Step 8: Examine Miniaturization Needs

 

Also read in the same eBook the article by Casey Donovan, Vice President of Kensington Electronics, Inc.: “Don’t be so Harsh! Why More and More Connectors are Being Ruggedized” (pp. 48-54) referring to Fischer FreedomTM Series on p. 51 and Fischer Core Series on p. 54.

More details in our white paper “The increasing impact of data speed and miniaturization on rugged connector selection”

More details in our white paper  “Environmentally Sealed Connectors”

More details in our white paper  “Hermetically Sealed Connectors”

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