Waterproof Submersible Electrical Connectors
Many harsh environments require electrical connectors that can operate under wet conditions without causing equipment damage. These conditions often include humidity, rain and snow, or pressurized water used for cleaning purposes.
The first step to protecting your connectors against water ingress is using a silicone sealant to cover any openings or cracks. Another option is using waterproof inline electrical connectors, designed to connect equipment in a fast and safe way.
NiobiCon(tm) by Northrop Grumman
NiobiCon is a way to connect electrically powered electronics to each other underwater without the use of seals, oil or moving parts. It relies on the element niobium to naturally form an extremely thin passive film that self-heals waterproof submersible electrical connectors and is impervious to corrosion. This self-insulating coating covers all transition metal contact surfaces and is complexly bonded to the niobium itself. When mated, the metal connector contacts locally disrupt this layer by scraping against each other, allowing them to make a secure electrical connection. Then, upon de-mating, the insulating layer automatically re-forms within milliseconds.
Northrop Grumman fellow Harvey Hack and senior staff engineer Jim Windgassen initially developed the technology to improve the recharging process for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). The two inventors used the same basic physics that powers tantalum capacitors to develop their new niobium-based connector design.
Hack was familiar with niobium and its extreme resistance to corrosion for another project, and Windgassen used his expertise in electrical engineering to understand the technology’s fundamentals. They partnered with metallurgists and other experts in the field to create a prototype and proved that the technology works in practice.
This innovative electrical connector is a game changer for military and commercial applications, as well as for industries working in wet environments with human contact. With no need for seals or oil, the technology can be used with lower tolerances and mating forces, smaller sizes, lighter weights, higher reliability, and cost-effectively compared to current underwater connector technologies. NiobiCon has no limitations for depth, operating temperature or mating cycles and can be used in saltwater, freshwater, or other corrosive environments like urea and fertilizer solutions. Sign up to receive the latest updates from Northrop Grumman on this and other exciting technologies.
UltiMate(tm) Series by Fischer Connectors
Fischer Connectors has a new range of waterproof military connectors designed to withstand harsh and demanding conditions. These include exposure to dust, extreme temperatures and shocks and vibration. The UltiMate(tm) Series provides solutions for signal and power transmission to devices and equipment worn by dismounted soldiers in the field. This series is compatible with NATO STANAG 4695 connectors and offers a high level of performance in terms of reliability, SWaP (Size, Weight and Power), electrical connectivity and cable management optimisation.
The waterproof submersible electrical connectors are made of special high resistant aluminium and feature a robust and durable design for military applications. They are also designed to be immune to fog, salt spray (5 percent 35degC, MIL STD-202 Method101A), sand and moisture. They are also designed to have long lifetime usage and offer up to 10,000 mating cycles.
These waterproof military connectors are available in a number of configurations, and they can be mateable with other Fischer LandForceTM Series connectors and other NATO circular connectors. They are also fully compliant with the STANAG 4695 standard and compatible with the Nett Warrior programme.
This new line of waterproof interconnects features a robust and ergonomic design that is able to withstand exposure to dust, extreme temperatures and shocks. They are equipped with two proven locking systems, one of which is a secure push-pull locking system famous for its ease of use, safety and quickness in connection and disconnection. The other is an emergency release system without locking to avoid injuries to the users and damage to the connectors.
These waterproof military connectors are also able to offer a high level waterproof 3 way wire connector of protection against electromagnetic interferences thanks to a 360deg EMC shielding tested according to IEC norm 60512-23-3. Additionally, they are Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological (NBCR) ready and come sealed to IP68/69K even unmated and with facilitated cable assembly solutions.
Cobalt Series by Blue Trail Engineering
Since their launch in 2019, Cobalt Series connectors have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers all over the world. They provide a simple, robust seal between the cable jacket and the connector shell, eliminating the need for overmolding. This eliminates the danger of leakage due to cathodic delamination and lowers cost and weight compared to molded or potted connections. They also provide a second hermetic seal between the connector pins and the connector shell, providing redundancy.
This waterproofing system makes the connectors much easier to use than traditional molded connections. The pins/sockets are press-fit into a PEEK plastic connector core and the core is then press-fit into the shell. This eliminates the need for potting, and it also makes the connector much lighter and smaller than other subsea electrical connections.
The standard locking sleeve (included with all Cobalt Series cables and termination kits) holds the connector captive in the bulkhead connector, making it easy to connect or disconnect your system. But sometimes you need to be able to remove the locking sleeve, for example, when fishing your cable through a narrow hole in an enclosure. In that case, you can replace it with a Removable Locking Sleeve.
Cobalt Series connectors and cables are rated for 600 meters of depth, but they are not pressure tolerant when open-face (unmated). They must be mated to a fully intact mating connector/cable or with a dummy plug/cable on one end.
Our Cobalt Series cables with Simple Penetrators are available in a standard 1-meter length, but can be cut to your desired length at no extra charge. Simply choose the “1m or less” option and leave the “Custom length” field blank. Cables longer than 1 meter cost $20 extra.
