By PURPLELEC | 04 September 2023 | 0 Comments
Precautions for the use of network cable connectors
Network cable connector butt joints are commonly used as Ethernet connectors, and TR-42.9 has made great progress in selecting an industrially suitable connector interface. ODVA (Open Device Network Vendors Association) and JSIG (Control Network Industry Group) are developing standards for an Ethernet industrial protocol (EtherNet/IP). This connector is adapted from military connectors to ordinary industrial RJ45, RJ11, USB, 1394 and other connectors, and then a round metal or plastic protective shell is added to the outside of these connectors to make them waterproof and dustproof. Reach IP67.
Ordinary RJ45, RJ11, USB, 1394 and other connectors do not need to be disconnected, re-crimped or welded, which ensures that the signal will not be attenuated and does not require any installation tools, saving man-hours and reducing costs. In addition to specifying the connector interface, TR-42.9 also defines the environmental requirements to which the interface must be suitable.
Connector products usually provide users with years of reliable service guarantees in typical office environments. But if connecting copper cables or fiber optics are exposed to extremes of dust, temperature, moisture, electromagnetic interference or vibration, performance and reliability will be compromised.
In fact, some or all of the above factors often occur in our daily environment. With typical adapter connectors (such as RJ-45RJ-11, 1394, etc. plugs and sockets), the arranged network will seamlessly extend to the factory site. . Examples of industrial Ethernet applications that will benefit include mining, refineries, automation equipment, and production plants.
Precautions for the use of network cable connectors
1. Corrosion
Corrosive gases and liquids are often encountered in industrial environments. Substances like oil, gas and chemicals can corrode the outer connector cover, the metal pins of the plug and socket, the cable jacket and so on. Extreme temperature: Connectors can generally tolerate a temperature difference of -10 to 60 degrees, which is no problem for most office and general industrial environments. However, if placed in an extreme harsh temperature environment, over-range temperatures can cause transmission errors and reliability issues.
2. Vibration
When placed in an extreme vibration environment, standard connectors will react. Over time, the plug-to-receptacle connection will gradually wear out, and the pins will become dented at the point of connection, reducing reliability. Moreover, after such wear, exposure to steam can cause further corrosion.
3. Electromagnetic
Severe electromagnetic interference sources usually include production equipment and power channels near the data path. Machines and electrical pathways generate electric fields that can couple into data pathways causing noise and disrupting the integrity of the data signal. Sometimes during installation, there will be connectivity problems in part or the entire location due to environmental factors, such as rooms that may be flooded, areas prone to dust, and locations located in extreme temperature environments.
4. Water ingress
There are usually two manifestations of water ingress into network connectors. One is that water ingress into the connector causes water in part of the cable, causing the dielectric coefficient of the intermediate insulation layer to change and the cable attenuation to increase, especially for high-frequency signals, which are reflected as high-end signals at the user end. It becomes worse and there are more snowflakes. On the main line, the slope of the amplifier output level is very small or negative (if it is a tilted output); another manifestation is that water entering the joint will oxidize the joint, especially the common cable feed The power supply line will fail, which will affect the normal operation of the entire downstream amplifier. At the same time, the slope will become larger and the signal quality will deteriorate.
Existing cables generally have an inner conductor of copper and an outer conductor of aluminum-magnesium alloy wire or aluminum shell. Both the inner and outer conductors will oxidize in the air, especially in the presence of water. Copper can oxidize at both normal and high temperatures, producing black copper oxide and basic copper carbonate, commonly known as patina, but basic copper carbonate can decompose into copper oxide at high temperatures. Both oxidation products are electrical insulators and insoluble in water, which have a great impact on the feed and signal transmission of cable TV transmission systems.
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked. *