Rack and panel connectors offer an alternative to obsolete range

The Weald Electronics LMR Series of rack and panel connectors provides a form, fit, and function alternative to the ITW McMurdo Connectors RED Range, which was made obsolete in 2024. Most residual stock of this widely employed connector family has now been consumed, but specialist connector distributor Lane Electronics can maintain supply to existing and new customers with a direct alternative from its sister company, Weald Electronics.

Matching the technical performance and dimensions of the RED Range, the series is a compact but heavy-duty rectangular rack and panel connector system designed to provide a drop-in replacement for the RED Range for Line Removable Units (LRUs) and is especially suited for use in rugged conditions where reliability is crucial and space and accessibility are a premium.

The range offers four connector sizes, providing 8, 16, 24 and 32 ways with low insertion force and polarised blind-mate moulded insulators. Each of the male and female halves of the connector system comprises a combined high-performance Diallyl-Phthalate (DAP) moulded insulator and stainless-steel mounting plate (the ITW McMurdo Connectors RED Range offered DAP and a lower temperature grade Nylon) fitted with gold plated low insertion force blade contacts rated for 500+ operations.

The insulator form has ample polarising and pre-mating features which engage before contacts touch, which makes it ideal for inaccessible applications, and the female half is fitted with floating mounting bushes to improve the self-aligning functionality further. Contact rating is a high 5A continuous across all contacts simultaneously at 100C, and the complete connector assembly meets a climate category of 55/125/56 (-55C to +125C temperature range).

With high-quality materials and excellent current carrying characteristics, this range of connectors delivers reliable connectivity for line-replaceable industrial electronics units such as industrial measurement and configurable automation and robotics.