APC Series Expansion – 2024

Amphenol APC Series Expansion: Advanced Connectivity for Industrial Applications

Amphenol Industrial Operations has long been a trusted leader in providing rugged and reliable connectivity solutions. With the expansion of the APC (Amphenol Plastic Connector) Series, Amphenol continues its commitment to meet the demanding needs of various industries by offering advanced plastic connectors that combine durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. The APC Series is poised to serve an even wider range of applications in industrial machinery, factory automation, HVAC systems, medical devices, and more.

Overview of the APC Series

The APC Series, a product line that includes standard, mini, and power versions, is designed to deliver high-performance connectivity for signal and power transmission in challenging environments. These connectors are built with a lightweight plastic shell that offers inherent corrosion resistance and robust mechanical performance, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

The APC Series connectors come with a triple-start ACME thread for fast coupling, stamped and formed contacts, and a self-locking mechanism. This design ensures not only ease of use but also durability in ruggedized environments, offering up to 500 mating cycles and an IP67 rating when mated. Furthermore, the connectors are UL and CSA certified, providing customers with confidence in their safety and compliance with international standards.

Key Features

1. Lightweight and Corrosion Resistant: The connectors feature a plastic shell, which reduces the overall weight of the system while ensuring corrosion resistance, making them suitable for harsh environments.
2. Power, Signal, and Hybrid Options: The APC Series offers a range of configurations that include power-only, signal-only, and hybrid power-signal connectors, providing flexibility for different applications. Current ratings range from 7.5A to 70A, depending on the connector size and contact arrangement.
3. Fast Coupling System: With a triple-start ACME thread on the APC standard and a two-way bayonet system in the mini variant, the connectors ensure fast and secure coupling, reducing installation time and maintenance efforts.
4. Environmental Protection: The APC connectors are designed to withstand tough environmental conditions, with IP67-rated sealing to protect against dust and moisture. The connectors also feature UV resistance, thanks to their UL94 V-0 flammability-rated plastic shell, making them suitable for outdoor use.
5. Stamped and Formed Contacts: The connectors are equipped with stamped and formed copper alloy contacts, which are available with tin, silver, or gold plating for enhanced electrical performance and corrosion resistance.

Market Applications

The APC Series has been widely adopted across multiple industries, thanks to its versatility and robust design. Some of the key application areas include:

• Industrial Machinery: The rugged design of the APC connectors makes them ideal for use in heavy-duty industrial machinery, where they can withstand vibration, shock, and extreme temperatures​.
• Factory Automation: In automated production environments, the APC connectors provide reliable signal and power transmission, ensuring continuous operation of robotics, control systems, and other automation equipment.
• Medical Equipment: The lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties of the connectors make them suitable for medical devices that require high levels of cleanliness and durability.
• HVAC Systems: The ability to withstand extreme temperatures (-40°C to +105°C) and environmental sealing make the APC Series a perfect fit for HVAC systems, providing long-term reliability in temperature control equipment.

Enhanced Electrical and Mechanical Performance

The APC Series is engineered for performance in both electrical and mechanical aspects. The connectors offer a rated voltage of up to 600V and a dielectric withstanding voltage of up to 2500V. The insulation resistance is 500MΩ, ensuring safe and reliable operation in high-voltage applications. The connectors are designed to withstand vibrations of 10-2000 Hz and mechanical shocks of 50G, making them highly suitable for high-impact environments such as transportation and material handling.

Expanded Product Range

The expansion of the APC Series includes both the standard and mini variants, with additional options in shell sizes, contact arrangements, and mounting styles. This allows engineers to choose the most appropriate solution for their specific requirements. Whether it’s the compact APC Mini for space-constrained installations or the high-power APC connectors for heavy-duty applications, the expanded range offers unparalleled flexibility.

The APC Mini Series, in particular, is designed for signal applications in compact devices, featuring a two-way bayonet coupling for quick mating. It is ideal for medical instrumentation, communication equipment, and smaller industrial systems. On the other hand, the APC Power Series is designed for applications requiring high current, with the ability to handle up to 70A at 1000V, making it perfect for power distribution and energy storage systems​.

Conclusion

Amphenol’s APC Series represents a significant advancement in industrial connector technology. With the expansion of this product line, Amphenol continues to provide solutions that are not only rugged and reliable but also versatile and cost-effective. The APC Series is perfectly suited to meet the growing demands of industries such as industrial automation, medical equipment, HVAC, and more. For those seeking a connector that delivers top-tier performance in harsh environments, the APC Series offers a comprehensive and scalable solution​.