R&M’s new fiber optic connectors target harsh conditions
R&M has introduced a new series of fiber optic connectors for extreme outdoor applications. The Harsh Environment Connector (HEC) was developed for the fiber optic connection of 5G and mobile communication antennas.
Besides supporting Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) applications, R&M said the new HEC can support fiber optic data transmission in various harsh environments, including aerial deployment for broadband supply in rural areas. The new outdoor connector housing can be used to connect fiber optic cables in railway, wind power, and industrial facilities, chemical plants, and ports, on oil platforms, in mining, and in the event sector.
R&M is launching two versions: HEC-BR (Bayonet Release) with a 32-mm diameter and HEC-QR (Quick Release) with a 19-mm diameter. The company said it has tested the HEC in accordance outdoor cabling standards. It meets the requirements of protection class IP68, Telcordia GR 3120, IEC 61753-1, and MIL-STD-883.
This means that the housing remains waterproof for at least seven days at a depth of three meters. It can withstand temperatures from -40°C to +85°C and high mechanical loads such as a tensile load of 450 N. This makes the HEC one of the strongest outdoor connectors in its class.
The quarter-turn (bayonet) fastener compliant with IEC 60603-7 variant 01 (ODVA) decouples the connector and the inner housing while the QuickRelease features a push-twist-pull fastener. This allows top packing densities without compromising performance.
The decoupled housing of the HEC-BR and HEC-QR minimizes the influence of temperature fluctuations, cable shrinkage, and mechanical loads. Also, the blind mating assembly technology makes it possible to couple the HEC with one hand wearing gloves in low visibility. The blind-mating elements also protect the ferrules in the mounted connectors if the HEC is not plugged in or closed with a protective cap.
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Sean Buckley
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