TE-News: TE Connectivity shows vast range of solutions for railway rolling stock and infrastructure at SIFER 2019

TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, is demonstrating the broad scope of its products and services for railway applications on Stand 220 in Hall 3 at SIFER 2019 which takes place in Lille March 26-28. These include terminal blocks, connectors, insulators, antennas, switches, sensors, and design software.

The company offers products for power, signal and data, as well as a range of sensors and its Easy Rail Designer-3D custom terminal block design software. Together, this amounts to a comprehensive range of solutions for rolling stock and infrastructure that fully comply with the highest railway standards in place around the world.

Terminal blocks

The ENTRELEC terminal block business, which TE acquired from ABB last year, includes products particularly suited to this very demanding sector that requires resistance to high vibrations, impacts and corrosion. There are over 8,000 products in the ENTRELEC range, making it one of the largest on the market. It includes numerous innovative connection technologies, including Push-In & Spring, Pluggable (with a modular design of pre-wired plug harnesses), and IDC, as well as other more traditional systems.

For power connectivity

Products being highlighted at the show from TE’s power connectivity solutions include surge arresters for DC and AC applications to protect against switching and atmospheric overvoltages in various rail applications. Products in the HE60 and OCP2 ranges are suitable for installing on rolling stock or at the track-side. Their rugged and compact designs enable them to withstand high mechanical forces experienced in such installations.

The FXP Rail series of connectors – designed by DEUTSCH - provides a platform product for all power applications on rolling stock meeting the European rail connector standard EN 50467 as well as EN 45545-2 for fire and smoke. There are fewer than 10 base parts, but they make many configurations possible. Two available shell sizes accommodate the best solution according to specific power and space requirements. A partitioned version is also available for permanent magnet motor connections providing EMI protection.

The FXP range provides connections up to 4kV with 650A maximum. They are rated OV3/PD3 for pollution degree/overvoltage under EN 50124 and are resistant to high shock and vibration levels, while staying small and light.

Data network solutions

TE Connectivity's M12 railway connectors for fast assembly in the field provide a solution that safely and reliably supports communication in harsh environments. They feature 360-degree shielding, crimp flange and compact outer dimensions, and offer torsion- and vibration-proof cable strain relief that reduces cable breakage and makes the system tamper-proof. They are rated IP67 against dust and water ingress and comply with the pan-European fire safety standard EN45545.

TE’s robust unmanaged Industrial Ethernet switches featuring M12 connectivity are designed to enable faster and more reliable Ethernet networks. The redundant input power, combined with the optional bypass, makes sure that networks will rarely fail, even under the harshest conditions. There are several options for input voltage, PoE and bypass. These switches are compliant with the EN50155 standard covering electronics equipment used in railway rolling stock.

At the show, TE is offering its Super Orange Deal on M12 connectors and CAT5 or CAT7 cable.

“In railway networks, data transmission speed, connector assembly time, avoidance of interruptions and reducing cost of service are all equally important,” says Egbert Stellinga, product manager for TE Connectivity’s Industrial business unit. “Our packages of M12 connectors with CAT5 and CAT7 data cable offer all the above and more in one product. At the show, customers ordering different connector/cable combinations will obtain a free toolset worth some €1000.”

Roofline solutions

TE is showing its T-Connectors with Type C interface for rolling stock. This family has been optimized and tested specifically for the rail market. Connectors perform to the HL2 level according to EN45545. Grounding is sealed, shock- and vibration-resistant, and disconnectable. New in the Roofline product line is the RSTI 68 Surge Arrester, which is positioned directly on the transformer, saving valuable roof space compared with a traditional surge arrester. It has been tested for shock- and vibration resistance and also performs to HL2 under EN45545.