Connectors That Out-Perform in Harsh Application Environments

These commercial vehicles must withstand extended daily usage profiles without facing performance issues that take a toll on successful vocational work truck operations, such as last-mile delivery, concrete mixing, and aerial utility work, along with vital community services ranging from regional transit bus operations and refuse collection to fire and ambulance safety services.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tiered specialty vehicle suppliers and upfitters, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organizations that serve these exacting commercial truck markets know that electrical products they specify must provide superior performance, day in and day out, in these punishing conditions. Unexpected downtime from electrical system faults not only compromises operations, it can cost equipment owners significant financial loss and valuable time for remediation efforts. TE Connectivity understands that astute customers seek the following qualities from electrical connectors they source:

ICT systems and applications are constantly changing and evolving. However, the components that design engineers source must be predictable: providing reliable, trusted, and proven performance for critical cable-to-cable and cable-to-device connections across vehicle applications. DEUTSCH Common Contacts meet these needs with round pin and socket terminal designs that provide multiple points of contact and high-quality crimps that deliver reliable low-resistance power and signal data transmission characteristics. This performance is so respected that DEUTSCH Common Contacts and Connectors are routinely used for safety-critical applications where failure is not an option, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with Level 2 Active Safety technology (Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Object Detection, Vehicle Stability Control, etc.) systems in Class 4 - 8 trucks; and well beyond towards full driver automated capability with integrated sensor array technologies found in emerging Level 4 semi-autonomous vehicles.

OEMs and end-users want to know that they are dealing with authentic products, like TE Connectivity’s (TE) DEUTSCH HDP and DT connectors. Counterfeit goods create supply chain uncertainties, quality nightmares for engineers, and ongoing performance issues for end-users. While clones may appear to provide similar performance, issues that develop can eliminate any initial cost savings, wreaking havoc on customer’s bottom-line profitability. Further, supply capacity constraints, part-to-part consistency, and product reliability issues can harm OEM and MRO operations and preferred supplier status, stalling business growth. When reputations and performance are on the line, smart customers insist on DEUTSCH connectors.

Ruggedized DEUTSCH connectors are routinely used for high-efficiency applications such as precision agriculture, time-sensitive construction, and cyclical mining applications that can’t afford any unplanned downtime events. DEUTSCH connectors withstand such heavy usage in rugged applications where they are subjected to unrelenting vibration and temperature extremes over a long service life. Properly terminated, mated DEUTSCH connectors are rated for up to one-meter water submersion and exposure to repeated washdowns during equipment cleaning cycles. As such, DEUTSCH connectors do not develop leak paths or lose their electrical connections, making them well-suited for a wide variety of functions, ranging from industrial power generation equipment controls to commercial marine accessory connections.

TE’s DEUTSCH HDP and DT connectors are simple to service in the field. Connectors can be mated without any tools, making them easy to install. Interface seals can be removed in the field upon discovery of compromising damage and replaced. This eliminates the need to cut wiring and reterminate connectors to replace them, protecting other system devices and facilitating quick repair. Non-technical users routinely utilize widely available DEUTSCH applicator tooling to crimp terminals and rapidly wire up sealed connectors, enabling heavy-duty equipment and commercial vehicles to be put back into productive use quickly and cost-effectively.

Connectors isolate sensitive electrical devices from the penetrating effects of vibration, moisture, dust, dirt, and salt brine solutions in daily operations. They also must withstand global temperature variability that ranges from -55° Celsius arctic nights to +125° Celsius summer desert conditions while performing flawlessly. DEUTSCH connectors are rated IP67 for immersion and IP69K for high-pressure washing when used with appropriate backshell components.