Harwin's high-power connector series feature aerospace-grade aluminium alloy and 360° EMC backshells

Composed of aerospace-grade aluminium 6061, Harwin announced the availability of backshells for their Kona high-power connector line. These backshells will prevent undesired EMI from seeping into the surrounding system from the connector/cable assembly.

The 6061 aerospace-grade aluminium can be shaped into various forms and is very corrosion resistant, making it a suitable complement for various aircraft applications. Grade 6061 is extensively utilised in the manufacture of light crafts. Its ease of machining and welding is why it is often used in these applications.

Harwin's 8.5mm-pitch Kona connectors come in 2, 3, and 4-contact varieties and are compact and streamlined while carrying huge currents (up to 60A per contact). These high-reliability components have been extensively employed in mission-critical applications such as New Space, electric vehicles (EVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and robotics since their first introduction in late 2020.

"In situations where power connectors are situated near a DC/DC converter, such as in EV charging infrastructure for instance, the high currents being transported can cause distortion waves that will place stress on the converter. By having an easy-to-assemble backshell shielding option we've now added an invaluable extra dimension to our Kona series offering that can address problems of this kind," said Ryan Smart, VP of Product at Harwin.

The Kona backshells' two-part architecture allows engineers to replace existing cable assemblies with 360° EMC shielding quickly. This capacity is beneficial if an EMI problem arises late in the development phase or when equipment already in use undergoes a refit only to disclose new EMI difficulties. Board and panel mount connection alternatives are also available to provide comprehensive shielding.

Kona backshells are built tough for long-term dependability under challenging situations. Assembly is fast and simple since no special tools are required. Additional strain relief on the braided cable reduces the danger of assembly damage once mounted and in use. The backshells are nickel-plated for further corrosion and oxidisation resistance in the field.