Bayonet connector offers a rugged power and signal interface with quick locking

binder offers the Power Bayonet Connector PBC15. Its size corresponds to an M15 thread. Therefore, in the field of power supply connectors, it bridges the gap between the widely used M12 and M23 designs. The compact yet robust connector is ideal for power supply, particularly to three-phase motors or frequency converters. It features three power pins, for example, to supply the three live phases of a three-phase motor, two additional pins for signal transmission, and a Protective Earth (PE) contact.

The design is specified within the DIN EN IEC 61076-2-116 standard. The quick-lock assures simple, fast, and reliable locking using a quarter turn. Screw clamps provide termination. In each case, the connector is initially available as wireable female or male cable connectors as an unshielded or shieldable variant.

Thanks to the rated values of 630V and 16A for the power interface, the circular connector is appropriate for the power supply of small to medium-sized drives. With rated values of 63V and 10A, the signal pins can be used, for example, to control brakes or to query operating parameters such as temperatures. The shieldable variants of the connector are prepared for usage in environments exposed to EMI.

The compact design of the connector is a unique feature: on the one hand, it provides very little space for an isolation appropriate to the voltage levels. Conversely, the high currents need wire gauges of up to 2.5mm2 and sufficiently large contacts to connect the wires. However, the engineers at the company succeeded in designing the connector so that convenient assembly using the screw clamp terminals is possible.

Another challenge occurred with the coupling of the PE pin, which is designed here as the centre contact, to the connector housing. The connection was established through a spring plate, which was pressed with the PE contact inside the contact body, thus forming a secure connection to the housing.

Philipp Zuber, product manager with binder, says: "With the PBC15, we have succeeded in creating a power-dense and easy-to-use connector that is ideally suited for small and medium-sized three-phase motors. With the high ampacity of its three power contacts and with its two signal pins, the connector is extremely versatile in supplying power to automation components and drives. The quick locking, as well as the screw clamp termination, allow users to easily and quickly wire and install the connector."

Typical applications are in intralogistics, factory and process automation, and machine engineering.