Ex connectors survive tough environments

01 August 2008

Cavotec Connectors AB from Sweden – part of the globally operating Cavotec Group – has introduced a range of Ex connectors covering low and medium voltage ranges up to 25kV. Due to its design, the new offering is ideally suited to harsh environments.

Innovative design features push-pull quick release

The company is well known from designing and manufacturing customised high quality electrical connectors for harsh environments. Their strong metal connectors are ideally suited to survive the toughest of treatment that is all too commonplace in many outdoor applications.

The Cavotec Connector product offering covers both low and medium voltage ranges - up to 25kV - and with cable sizes ranging from 1.5mm2 up to 300mm2. Principal customers are manufacturers and end-users of electrical machinery in ports and terminals, mines, steel and aluminium plants and land based drilling rigs.

With decades of experience in designing and manufacturing, Cavotec’s electrical connectors are well-known throughout the industry for their innovative design features such as the Push-pull quick release concept. This feature consists of a system of pins that use lamellar technology to optimise the contact surface. This increases the current carrying capacity of the pins and results in a light and compact connector design. The connectors also feature screw-on cable terminals enabling a quick change of pins without dismantling the connector assembly. This is especially useful when dealing with in-field replacement situations.

For 2008, Cavotec Connectors now introduce the new PC2 Ex range that includes a PC2 Ex d IIB in single, 4 or 18 pin configuration up to 690V in hardened aluminium housing and a PC2 Ex d IIC in single pin configuration up to 7,2kV in stainless steel housing.

All these connectors are available with extra pilot pins, designed to connect last and disconnect first thereby adding an additional layer of safety. These pins are used in external interlocking circuitry ensuring a user cannot touch live contacts even if normal lockout procedures are not followed. The standard protection of these connectors is rated at IP 67. Additional keying to avoid connecting a plug to the wrong socket, and high
temperature insulators and gaskets are also available as options.

The development of this Ex range is a result of Cavotec’s intent to use their ATEX approved connectors to enter new markets such as offshore drilling rigs, petrochemical installations and other related industries.

ATEX approval for the 690 and 7,2kV range has been awarded by Norwegian certification authority NEMKO, and a further roll-out of additional Ex models is planned for the second half of 2008.

Cavotec Connectors AB from Sweden is part of the Cavotec Group, which is a global supplier of innovative power supply solutions that enable operators to improve their efficiency and sustainability. The Cavotec Group is committed to providing customers with as many pollution reducing solutions as possible, striving all the while to design and manufacture our new technologies affordably and practically.

With operations on all five continents the Cavotec Group is uniquely positioned to provide a local customer oriented approach while being backed by the worldwide Cavotec Group network.

All design and manufacture of Cavotec systems take place at specialized engineering Centres of Excellence. Through a strong emphasis on quality and innovation our engineers are capable of providing durable solutions to industry operators throughout the world.

After 30 years of leadership in our industries, we understand that our customers require solutions that help to reduce their environmental impact without also reducing their bottom line.