Harting commissions inspection robot for connection systems

Schumacher welcomed some 80 guests, together with Matthias Wiehe, Head of Global Project Engineering. This development means the Harting Quality and Technology Centre (HQT) will be able to test inter-car cables under realistic operating conditions. The entire life cycle can be simulated in accordance with the route profile, allowing the load of the so-called "jumper cable' to be adjusted and documented.

The investment in this additional testing option completes the service package that Harting has previously offered. The core competence of subsidiary, Harting Customised Solutions (HCS), has long consisted of expert advice, concept design and selection of the right components, according to the latest railway standards; as well as the production of complete inter-car systems. Wiehe adds: "This investment gets us fit for the future. We can support our customers' engineering needs even more effectively, thanks to our many years of experience and outstanding testing capabilities. This saves time and money. We can provide complete support from design through the final release and production of the inter-car systems."

Compact and secure connections for railway

Harting has been a specialist in the railway sector for years and offers a wide range of products and systems. To save energy and make optimum use of available space, the company's rail engineering developers are always looking for new solutions. Even components such as connectors require attention because they can make a significant long-term contribution towards reducing rail vehicle operating costs.

Consequently, Harting introduced the Han 1A connector series, which enables high-performance connections for small to medium-sized electrical assemblies in rail vehicles as well as reliable, fast Ethernet. The new interfaces require only minimal space and are easy to install. The portfolio offers a broad range of options, from IP20 connectors for the control cabinet, through to protection class IP65 and all the way to contact inserts for interference-proof data transmission (shielding).

The new plastic connectors reduce the dimensions of the previously smallest rectangular connector in the industry sector, Han 3A, by 30 per cent. The system is modular as it uses eight different contact inserts (each in versions for pin and socket), which are used for transmitting data, signals or power. In addition, there are plastic housings, locking mechanisms, mounting frames, cable adapters and strain reliefs, which are equipped with different coloured elements for error-free coding.

Compliance with relevant railway standards

Railway standards require that protectors provide trouble-free transmission even in environments subject to heavy-duty stresses and loads. For connector use, this means the transmission of data and signals must be protected effectively against electrical and magnetic interference. The Han 1A is particularly well suited for such applications since it offers inserts which, in addition to Han D contacts and PE, have a double slot for a shielding plate. This enables the protected transmission of signals and power up to a maximum of 10A/400V.

The Han 1A is particularly suitable for supplying power to door drives and entry systems. Adapters and contact inserts for M12, D-coded, and M12 X-coded, are also available to ensure trouble-free data transmission in rail vehicles. M12 D-coded enables shielded data transmission to Cat. 5, while M12 X-coded enables transmission to Cat. 6A. Due to its modularity and the large variety of inserts, the Han 1A is suitable wherever small drives, sensors and devices are required. In traffic engineering, this could be feeding door drives and entry systems, lighting, headlights, loudspeakers, screens, scoreboards, warning and alarm lights, push buttons, wipers or beepers.

Han 1A advantages at a glance:

• Space savings of up to 30 per cent: Compact connector for traffic engineering
• Versatile deployment: Transmission of data, signals and power with up to 12 contacts
• High flexibility: Modular system of inserts and accessories for indoor and outdoor applications (IP20/IP65)
• Reduced installation time: Fast connection set-up with snap-in technology, no screws required
• Cost reduction: Lighter connectors and shorter installation times

The Harting Technology Group has supported the rail sector for years, and the company's extensive portfolio of products will be on show at Railtex at the NEC, Birmingham, from May 13th to May 16th. Visit Stand E65 (next to the Seminar Theatre) to find out more, or go to www.harting.com/UK/en-gb.