HARTING’s ix Industrial® sets new standards in Ethernet connection

The ix Industrial® connector by HARTING

The familiar old saying, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” certainly applies to automation systems. In applications that demand flexibility and reliability under rugged conditions, that weak link is often the RJ45 connector, until now the standard for Ethernet connectors. The revolutionary ix Industrial® from HARTING sets a new standard to meet any demanding application.

Evolving requirements demand better solutions

Rapid advances in component miniaturization have given engineers and end users greater flexibility in designing systems. Programmable logic controllers and drives are smaller in size and can be mounted directly to equipment, which allows for modular design of systems. However, this also places critical components and their connections in tough environments where they are potentially subject to vibration and frequent physical connection cycles, and it is here that the RJ45 connector is most likely to fail.

The bulky form factor of RJ45 Ethernet connectors limits their use to smaller components, making them difficult to maximize board space. And as virtually everyone who has used an RJ45 connector knows, its Achilles’ heel is the clip, which is not designed for frequent connect-disconnect cycles and can be vulnerable to prolonged vibration. An entire operation can be brought to halt, simply because of one weakened or broken connector clip.

Standing up to tougher demands

Where the RJ45 falls short of reliable performance, the ix Industrial® from HARTING delivers. With its smaller size – 70 per cent smaller than the RJ45 connector – the ix Industrial® effectively doubles board space; two ix Industrial® Ethernet connectors can fit in the space that would be occupied by a single RJ45, allowing greater design flexibility with smaller components.

The ix Industrial® is also engineered for full reverse compatibility and integration with existing systems. For example, an ix Industrial® can be used on one end of a cable with an RJ45 on the other end, allowing connection with a wide variety of devices.

Connection speed performance is guaranteed with the ix Industrial® as well, as it has been tested and certified to be fully compliant with the approved Cat 6A performance standard for 1/10GB/s Ethernet connection.

The ix Industrial®’s compact, robust construction meets the reliability needs of harsh environments and is able to withstand shock and vibration – such as in applications in vehicles or equipment-mounted controls – where the RJ45 can be a liability. The ix Industrial® also features a dual locking tab design, with tabs on either side of the connector, allowing for tighter connections through as many as 5,000 mating cycles.

Save space, end downtime worries

Take a close look at your current portfolio of connections, and imagine the possibilities having the same number of RJ45 connections in half the space would provide. And of course, the ix Industrial® doesn’t just provide the flexibility of smaller space requirements; it provides peace of mind with superior construction, unmatched versatility and compatibility, and certified connection performance.

To learn more, contact HARTING.

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