New narrow FeedThrough connectors save panel space

Cliff Electronics says that its new SLIMS connectors offer a more compact alternative to its popular 26mm wide XLR form factor product range, with the new connectors being just 19mm wide. This allows up to 20 of them to be mounted in a 1U, 19” rack panel rather than only 16 of the existing XLR design, with cut out dimensions of 17.15mm (0.675in) x 22.86mm (0.9in) and mounting hole centres of 29mm. 

The narrow form factor is widely used by audio, broadcast and communications manufacturers in the USA and is becoming more popular in the UK and rest of Europe for increasing panel density: it also assists when products are being exported to North America. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the first SLIMS versions to become available are the widely used data connector types RJ45, HDMI and USB 2 and 3. Mounted in a black plastic shell the new SLIMS connectors may be mounted to the front or rear of control panels, have assembly options of 3.2mm plain holes, countersunk holes, or 2.5mm plain self-tap holes. The mounting holes are on the central vertical axis of the connector. 

According to the company, its FeedThrough connectors allow standard, off the shelf, connecting cables to be used for internal connectivity, thereby simplifying and speeding up system assembly and facilitating easy repurposing of equipment. The company’s range of XLR form factor types allows designers to integrate audio, video, digital, optical, networking and data feeds into professional equipment for broadcast (studio and mobile), lighting, audio, medical diagnostic and treatment equipment, PoE and industrial applications, instrumentation and control connectivity.

The most popular connectors in Cliff’s FeedThrough range are CAT 5e RJ45, CAT 5e Shielded RJ45, CAT 6 RJ45, CAT 6 Shielded RJ45, HDMI Female – Female, USB 3.0 A-A, USB 2.0 B-A and USB 2.0 A-A. All widely used in data and audio-visual applications.

“North America is the largest market for audio, broadcast and entertainment systems and has many data and industrial control system manufacturers” says John Hall, Managing Director of Cliff Electronics. Our new SLIMS FeedThrough connectors will not only grow our component sales in the USA but will also be welcomed by other system builders selling their products there.”