CONNECTORS
Origins of standardised industrial connection technology
applications, signal modules to support low-voltage control circuits, as well as communication modules for Ethernet, fieldbus, or fibre optic connections. Engineers can combine these different module types within the same assembly framework, eliminating the need for separate connectors for each media. Protective housings provide mechanical support and environmental sealing for module combinations, with standardised enclosures ranging from compact Han 6B configurations to Han 48B suitable for and heavy-duty/multi-media requirements. Environmental protection utilises graduated sealing constructions based on application severity. Basic IP65 ratings protect against dust infiltration and water ingress, which is common in most manufacturing facilities. On the other hand, the enhanced IP69K specifications for Han-Modular connectors to withstand high-pressure washdown procedures required in food processing and pharmaceutical production. Han-Modular connectors incorporate multiple security features that eliminate connection errors. The mechanical keying system utilises uniquely shaped guide elements that allow only properly matched male and female connector halves to connect together. This physical design prevents technicians from connecting incompatible connectors, a wiring mistake that frequently occurs in hardwired The Han Connector Series, launched before the 1960s industrial boom, demonstrated how standardised, robust connections could handle multiple types of media while withstanding harsh factory environments.
Wilhelm Harting’s vision in 1945 recognised that post-war industrial growth required connection solutions fundamentally different from existing designs. Starting with a small repair operation in Minden, Germany, Harting developed what became known as Heavy Duty Connectors (HDCs), establishing principles that continue to influence industrial connectivity design today. The breakthrough came from creating rectangular connectors in contrast to the circular designs that initially dominated military and aerospace applications. Rectangular architectures provided superior space utilisation in industrial control panels and achieved higher contact density within standardised footprints. The Han Connector Series, launched before the 1960s industrial boom, demonstrated how standardised, robust connections could handle multiple types of media while withstanding harsh factory environments. This historical foundation matters because Han-Modular technology builds directly upon proven principles. Rather than reinventing basic concepts, it merges time-tested designs with the latest materials, manufacturing techniques, and integration capabilities. Deconstructing modular connection system design Han-Modular technology from Harting employs a building-block approach where engineers can select individual modules based on specific media (power, signal, data, air, etc.,) requirements and combine these elements within protective housings designed for particular environments. Han-Modular modules handle specific media types within the connector assembly, e.g., power modules to accommodate currents from 16 to 200A for heavy-duty
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