Battery pack connector meets rail industry standards

Battery packs used on rolling stock and other rail applications can now be connected using the CombiTac connector system from Multi-Contact. The modular connector can be configured with or without signal contacts, and is compliant with rail industry standards. The panel mount connectors are ideal for use with rackable, slide-in battery packs where blind connection is necessary. This is helped by alignment tolerances of three degrees and +/- 1 mm through standard CombiTac guiding end pieces. A typical configuration has two 12mm diameter power contacts and 12 1.6mm signal contacts for monitoring battery parameters such as temperature. Various sizes of power contacts can accept a wide range of cable cross-sections, and a make first / break last pilot contact can also be included. The rated insulation voltage is up to 3700V, depending on pollution degree and overvoltage category. Withstand voltages are 12kV on signal contacts and 8kV on power contacts. Rated current is up to 400 A, and IP2X touch protection is up to 1000V. The operating temperature is from -40C to +120C. The new modules are fully compliant with rail standards including EN 50467 and EN 61373, as well as fire and smoke standard EN 45545-2. The connector components can be supplied separately, or preassembled and tested. Termination is by crimp or screw for 50 to 120mm2 cross-sections for power contacts, and crimp only for signal contacts from 0.5 to 1.5mm2. The modules can also be configured in various sizes, contact types and materials to suit other battery power transmission and monitoring applications such as for charging stations, electric vehicles, defence vehicles, aircraft and naval vessels, says the company.