EasyREP connectors qualified for rail embedded applications

Smiths Interconnect has announced the expansion of its REP connector series for rail and industrial applications with the addition of a new qualified option, the EasyREP.

The REP series of multipole, sealed, plastic connectors provide a quick and secure connection for embedded equipment in a wide range of applications such as sensors, brakes, lighting, air conditioning, and communications, in the industrial, rail, test and measurement, automotive, and public works sectors. It has been designed to deliver an enhanced level of performance and high number of mating cycles (over 20,000), thanks to Hypertac hyperboloid contact technology.

A growing number of rail and industrial applications do not require high-cycle life as a technical requirement but still require compliance with the railway standard of 500 cycles and other important qualified features.

The EasyREP connector provides qualified design, reliability, and compliance with industry standards, as well as ease of use, with the addition of a value aligned contact technology which provides a high current rating up to 18A and a reliable signal integrity with no contact interruption above 50 ns​.

Available in 3 sizes of 2, 6 and 12 contact positions, the EasyREP option features the MR contact, a screw machined contact of 1,5mm diameter available for cross section cables from 0.75 to 2.5 mm² (18-13AWG).  It offers the proven electrical performance required by the industry standards plugs in terms of insulation resistance, Dieletric Withstand Voltage, Current Carrying, Low Level Current Resistance, and mating cycles (up to 500).

The EasyREP connectors have been designed and tested to provide:

  • Low Level Contact Resistance (LLCR)
  • Environmental resistance in severe conditions thanks to its silicone over-moulded grommet and interface sealing that avoids leakage between the plastic connector body and the silicone seal, and ensures IP66/IP67 protection
  • Low insertion and extraction forces
  • Standard industry cycle life: the MR contact provides industry standard cycle life of at least 500 cycles maintaining the same stable electrical performance.
  • Lower Cost of Ownership: the machined MR crimp contact allows for simplified “Crimp and Poke” assembly vs. traditional nested solder contacts.
  • Rail industry compliance to NF F 61-030 and EN 45545-2 requirements and to EN 61-373, Category 2 standards for vibration resistance
  • RoHS III compliant