The new railway connectors from Belden's Lumberg Automationâ„¢ product range have been specially designed for use in trains.

They provide maximum security as they comply with all international railway standards and stringent fire protection requirements including Hazard Level 2.

Offering vibration-proof M12 connection technology, industry protection class IP67 and a wide temperature range of -40° to +90° C, they are capable of withstanding the harshest environmental conditions.

Simple to install, the connectors are offered as moulded ProfiNet or field-attachable versions. Individual lengths of cable are optionally available for the field-attachable connectors. This choice of versions means they can be employed in a wide range of solutions. Possible applications include the networking of control modules for doors and air conditioning in trains. The shielded railway connectors can also be used in combination with IP cameras or infotainment systems.

Complying with EN 50155, IEC 61373 and DIN CLC/TS 50467 railway standards, the M12 connectors have four poles in D coding. The field-attachable versions have threaded joints and spring-type terminals enabling simple assembly. The moulded versions are available with single- or double-ended ProfiNet cordsets. They feature Cat 5 and Cat 5e transmission characteristics in line with ISO IEC 11801 and TIA/EIA-568-B.2

While the housings of the moulded connectors are made of PA plastic, those of the field-attachable versions consist of nickel-plated die-cast zinc. The optionally available individual lengths of cable consist of irradiated, halogen-free polymer (FRNC) with a cross-section diameter of 22 AWG. This also applies to the ProfiNet cable sets with molded connectors, which are offered in lengths of 2, 5 or 10 metres. Other cable lengths can be provided on request.

Product manager Joachim Kiera said by adding these new railway connectors to its Lumberg Automation product range, Belden has introduced a further component for high-availability networks in trains.

"Thanks to their robust design, high reliability and long service life, these connectors can be ideally combined with OCTOPUS Industrial Ethernet switches from Hirschmannâ„¢ and Belden® railway cables. As they are available in different versions, they can be used in a wide range of cost-effective solutions."