Page 6 - Connector and Cable Specifier Guide

Environment
The environment in which the vehicle or equipment will be used or stored is one of the most important factors in selecting the electrical terminal or connector. For instance, an environment susceptible to extreme high and low temperatures or excessive moisture and debris, such as construction or marine equipment, may require a sealed connector.
Shielding should be considered also, as the connector must be able to preserve the signal integrity of the entire interface.
Power rating is important. Connectors have a stated current rating specifies how much current a connector can handle continuously under optimum conditions. These connectors also have a maximum current rating that specifies the amount of current that can be handled under derated specifications.
Connector Size
Size is obviously crucial as designers must consider the wire gauge size to which the connection will be made. As an example, if the wire is being connected to a stud, such as in battery connections, the stud size should be known as well.
As vehicle manufacturers seek to reduce the size and weight of their vehicles, consider the form factor and size of the connectors used as well as the particular application within the vehicle; trucks and mobile equipment vehicles have space-constrained compartments, for example.
Fortunately, connectors with very dense spacing are now readily available. As an example, Molex makes the Mizi-P25 multi-pin connector system with a very small 2.5mm pitch, which can fit in very tight compartments.
Also, consider the additional hardware required in a vehicle interconnection system, such as wire harnesses, which most connector makers supply. These suppliers often also have custom tooling capabilities that can prove helpful for in-vehicle networks that utilize proprietary or custom components
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Information for this article was provided by Molex, Delphi Automotive Systems, and TE Connectivity.
Author Spencer Chin is a freelance technical writer and content producer based in New York.