New feedthrough connector and plug carrier protects rugged applications

Cliff Electronics has added a new Cat5e RJ45 Feedthrough Connector to its FT range, which all fit into an industry-standard XLR connector 24mm diameter panel cut-out. Also, a compatible, secure, snap-in lockable XLR style plug carrier is available to facilitate the connection of an RJ45 plug (not supplied) or cable assembly.

The Cliff RJ45 FT Jack is a nickel-plated diecast zinc metal construction offering protection to IP65, providing a dust tight and water-resistant connector for rugged applications and is supplied with an integrated dust cover for continued protection when not in use. Rated at Cat5e, the socket is suitable for both Fast Ethernet (10/100) and Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) data communications.

Widely used in IT systems, consumer and audio/broadcast products, Cliff’s female RJ45 Feed Through Ethernet sockets meet the wiring standard for using an 8P8C connector, as defined in Part 68 of the FCC rules, and are generally mounted directly on a device or on an I/O patch panel.

EMI effects reduced

The all-metal design is said to reduce the effects of EMI, has a dielectric strength of 1K VDC, frequency range from 1-100MHz, contacts are rated at 1.5A/50V, lifetime is greater than 1000 mating cycles and operating temperature range is from -30°C to +80°C.

John Hall, managing director of Cliff Electronics, comments: “Wired Ethernet networks remain popular in both industrial and domestic environments, as they can offer more stable, interference-free and faster data connection than wireless and reduce the risk of data being hacked. Our FeedThrough RJ45 Jack has a wide variety of applications for safe data connectivity for OEMs around the world and brings another variant to our very flexible FT connector range.”

Multiple application areas

Cliff’s standard and FeedThrough connectors mount into an industry-standard XLR, 23mm cut-out, allowing 16 connectors, from a wide range of variants, to be conveniently mounted on 19” rack panels, which Cliff can supply pre-assembled. Applications include audio, broadcast, AV and communications installations, medical, education and research, and industrial control.

The recently introduced space-saving DualSLIM FeedThrough connector series is just 19mm wide, allowing 20 connectors to be assembled on a 19” rack panel. In addition to the applications above, the DualSLIM is commonly used for NUC computers and mini-PCs, such as Raspberry Pi.