High Density connector solves packaging issues for motorsport

A harsh environment connector that packages almost twice the number of contacts has been announced by Interconnect specialist, Souriau. Designed for the toughest motorsport environments and with the functionality requirements of race and rally engineers firmly in mind, the market’s highest density connector – offering 43 contacts within a size 12 shell – is a lightweight solution to connecting power and signal lines within space-critical areas.

The high density connector provides almost twice the number of contacts of a size 12-35 and is two shell sizes smaller than a partially populated size 16-35 with 55 cavities. It also offers the same well-proven reliability and robustness as the standard 8STA range. “With long term performance and reliability being such a crucial customer requirement, we’ve developed a special contact retention mechanism to ensure the connector withstands the most severe vibrations of a race or rally throughout its service life,” says Mark Richardson, business development manager.

The new High Density’s clear cavity numbering and the ease in which the contact can be inserted and extracted, simplifies assembly and servicing. With the direction of loading clearly marked, connectors can be more quickly and accurately populated, avoiding error and the need for rework, and reducing inspection time.

The 8STA promises to be the most user-friendly high density connector available allowing engineers to easily load contacts at the first attempt, every time, and without the need for a tool. The special clip mechanism signals to the cable harness technician that the contact is in place.

The connector comes with an oval flange receptacle for front or rear mounting and can be supplied with integrated mounting nuts, avoiding the need for nut plates. The gold-plated contacts are suitable for cable sizes from 10mm² to 35mm². The temperature range for the 8STA is -55°c to 175°c and it can support 200A at ambient temperatures. The new full 8STA range, including the High Density connector, are available now and can be purchased from Souriau’s distributing partners BF1 Connect or Filcon UK.

For further information, visit souriau.com