Amphenol Industrial, a global leader in interconnect
systems, has expanded its line of NEPTUNE
connectors to include an inline receptacle that provides better protection from
environmental elements. Designed to provide reliable connection in the most
demanding power generation and distribution environments, NEPTUNE
connectors are 50% smaller in size and weight than competitive models.
The new inline configuration seals the receptacle’s
backshell on the outer jacket cable, versus an open backshell on a panel mount
receptacle, enabling the connector to withstand harsh conditions typically
found in rugged power applications.
Featuring Amphenol’s patented RADSOK system, which provides
a higher current flow through a smaller connector, the NEPTUNE
line is equipped with plugs and receptacles from 30 amps to 400 amps at 600
volts and has a dielectric strength of 1,800 volts.
Its lightweight, rugged aluminum hardware is precision
machined from high-tensile strength bar stock and finished with a hard coating
to 40 points on the Rockwell C scale. The connectors have an operating
temperature of -67°F to +225°F and are heat resistant to +750°F.
Amphenol’s expanded line of IP68-8 rated connectors features
armored and sheathed cable built to IEE-45/UL1309, IEC, BS, DIN and JIC
standards as well as unarmored cables and flexible cables, including S, SO,
SOOW-A, W and G-GC types. To eliminate cumbersome handling and sealing of
inserts with conductors attached, NEPTUNE
features ample wiring space for the cable housings to slip over the conductors
after termination.
The contact inserts are interchangeable and reversible to
suit specific needs. The contacts are made from nickel silver alloy plating
with optional gold plating available. Conductors are readily terminated to
easily accessible pressure wire terminals. NEPTUNE
connectors are resistant to 60 Gs, exceeding MIL-STD-167-1 vibration standards.
All receptacles come standard with threaded environmental
dust caps. All plugs feature a mechanical clamp backshell and sealing grommets
with optional covers.
With millions of parts in the field, Amphenol’s RADSOK
technology has proven to be very reliable, with nearly no reported connection
failures in Amphenol RADSOK-designed applications. Utilizing the tensile
strength properties of the flat, high conductivity alloy grid for the high
normal forces required for conductivity, RADSOK provides a large conductive
surface area. This results in a correspondingly low voltage drop and low
temperature rise while maintaining low insertion forces. RADSOK sizes used in NEPTUNE include #12, #10, #4, #1/0, #4/0 and #350 MCM.