How to Choose the Right HUMMEL Connector for Automation

Choosing the right industrial connectors for automation industry applications can pose a lot of challenges. Automated systems form the backbone of many modern sectors, and as such, they require components and connectors that meet the very high standards of quality and reliability. 

When selecting a connector for your automation application, it is therefore important to ask yourself the right questions. Will this component be suitable for the demands of the working environment? Can it be relied upon to deliver long-lasting performance, without requiring maintenance? Can it be incorporated into an efficiently-designed system?

To help you find the right connector for automated systems, Northern Connectors has teamed up with HUMMEL, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial connectors, to offer advice on how to choose the best component for your application.

What should I look for in a connector for automation?

Choosing the right connector for automation industry applications means looking for products that offer guaranteed performance on a number of important metrics. Here are the key qualities to look out for, as recommended by the experts at Northern Connectors and HUMMEL:

High transmission capabilities

Connectors used in automation applications are required to support the effective transmission of power, signals and data via industrial ethernet. In this Industry 4.0 era, these demands are only increasing, as modern innovations emerge that require enhanced networking, intelligent controllers and lightning-fast communication between machines and products.

As such, you will need to ensure that your connectors are able to provide a robust performance in terms of transmission capability, delivering the speed, voltage and/or power needed to keep your systems operating at peak performance.

Robustness and reliability

Automation technology is used in a wide variety of sectors and environmental conditions, from outdoor environments where equipment is likely to be exposed to the elements, to challenging industrial settings where ambient temperatures can run higher than 100°C.

If you require a connector for an automation application, you will need to realistically evaluate all of the conditions under which your systems will operate, and find a connector that is able to provide a firm, reliable and secure connection even under duress.

Compact design for space-saving

Because automated equipment is designed to operate independently, without relying on manual maintenance or interaction, these systems need to be designed as efficiently as possible to accommodate all of the circuitry and components needed for self-sufficient operation.

Space is often at a premium when designing a system that provides reliable automated functionality, which is why it is important to look for connectors with a compact design that can fit comfortably into an efficient layout.

Hybrid connector design

Another means of conserving space within an automated equipment layout is to utilise connectors that can serve multiple purposes all in one shell, with a single connector taking the place of two or more single-purpose components.

Many modern hybrid connectors are able to achieve this, transmitting power, data and signals through the same cable in order to provide considerable savings on space, costs and setup time.

Which HUMMEL connectors are best for automation applications?

If you are looking for connectors for an automation application that tick these boxes, HUMMEL can recommend a number of industry-leading solutions that have been proven to offer significant advantages and reliable performance:

M12 Power
Compact circular connector system with industry standard IEC 61076-2-111 M12x1 screw locking interface.

M12 Power connectors offer pin-counts of 4 and 5 with a current carrying capacity of up to 16A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 11mm, has a wire gauge max. of 2.50mm² and is capable of offering IP65, IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M16 Signal & Power
Compact multi-pin circular connector system with industry standard M16x0.75 Screw Locking interface.

M16 Signal & Power connectors offer pin-counts from 3 to 18 with a current carrying capacity of up to 20A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 11mm, has a wire gauge max. of 2.50mm² and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M23 Signal
Robust multi-pin circular connector system with industry standard M23x1 Screw or Twist Locking interface.

M23 Signal connectors offer pin-counts from 6 to 19 with a current carrying capacity of up to 20A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 17mm, has a wire gauge max. of 2.50mm² and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M23 Power & Hybrid
Robust multi-pin circular connector system with industry standard M23x1 Screw or Twist Locking interface.

M23 Power connectors offer pin-counts from 6 to 12 with a current carrying capacity of up to 28A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 17mm, has a wire gauge max. of 4.00mm² and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M23 RJ45
Robust circular connector system with industry standard M23x1 Screw Locking interface.

M23 RJ45 connectors allow the housing of RJ45 Ethernet connectivity in a shell that can withstand ingress in harsh environments.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 7mm and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M27 Signal
Robust multi-pin circular connector system with M27x1 screw locking mechanism.

M27 connectors offer pin-counts of 26 and 28 with a current carrying capacity of up to 8A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 17mm, has a wire gauge max. of 1.00mm² and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

M40 Power
Robust multi-pin circular connector system with industry standard M40x1.5 Screw or Twist Locking interface.

M40 Power connectors offer pin-counts of 6 and 8 with a current carrying capacity of up to 55A per contact.

The series caters for cable OD’s of up to 28mm, has a wire gauge max. of 16.00mm² and is capable of offering IP67 & IP69K ingress protection in mated state or with the use of a protection cover.

Find out more

If you want to know more about HUMMEL connectors or need guidance with selecting a suitable solution for your application, Northern Connectors is here to help.

You can explore the HUMMEL section of our website, call us on 01744 815001, or complete our online contact form and we will be in touch at the nearest opportunity.