Modular connectors feature protective coating

Stewart Connector, a division of Bel Fuse Inc., has announced the release of RJ11 and RJ45 connectors featuring EPP-918A (Environmentally Protective Product). This proprietary protective compound was developed from-the-ground-up to provide both pore blocking and lubricating properties to extend the life of voice and data connections. Providing superior moisture, humidity, dirt, chemical, and corrosion resistance, it also shields against wear resulting from repetitive mating/un-mating forces. The compound, which is applied to the gold-plated contacts during manufacturing, notably contains Ultraviolet (UV) tracer dye to enable visual inspection. EPP-918A is available on any Stewart Connector part in addition to RJ45 or RJ11 jacks which are offered shielded/unshielded, with 1 to 12 ports, in vertical and right angle configurations, and with/without LEDs. Jacks furthermore boast green benefits as their increased useable life reduces the waste associated with discarded electronic components.

These newly available connectors are ideally suited for virtually any commercial, consumer, and industrial application where environmental protection and/or multiple mating cycles are required. Included among their most common usages are in FTTH (Fibre to the Home), industrial Ethernet, and outdoor network and communications equipment. They are equally appropriate in military field equipment, field test equipment, EMT communications devices, fire and law enforcement equipment, marine environments, and in mining, oil, and manufacturing applications.

EPP-918A connectors feature an operating temperature range of from -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C, and withstand high temperature soldering (in excess of 260 degrees C for 10 seconds). The RoHS-compliant jacks' LLCR (Low Level Contact Resistance) reliability tests indicate no significant changes to gold-plated contacts to 2500 cycles. Additionally significant is that EPP-918A adheres to contacts instantly upon application and remains intact to preclude the need for additional tape, mechanical barriers, or cure time often associated with competitive products.

The cost of adding EPP-918A to Stewart's RJ connectors ranges from Rs.8.57 ($0.20) to Rs.12.86 ($0.30) per port. Samples are immediately available for design-in quantities.