Amphenol enhances its Pre-Earth First Mate Last Break connectors

Amphenol Industrial Operations has enhanced its Pre-Earth First Mate Last Break (FMLB) connectors. These connectors provide a path for any stray voltage to shift to a safer ground and avoid harming the operator and any voltage-sensitive equipment.

The Pre-Earth FMLB connectors are designed to meet the safety requirements for applications where a protective circuit from the ground to the shell is needed. These connectors feature a “first mate, last break” capability where the grounding pin engages prior to the engagement of the remaining pins, making any mating cycle electrically safe.

Additional attributes include a receptacle with IP67 protection when unmated and plug when in the mated condition for:

Superior moisture sealing and waterproofing
Conformity with European safety standards of DIN VDE 0627
SAE AS50151 dimensions and performance
Intermateable with MS 5015 and 97 series styles.
IEC/EN 61984 standard

These connectors are ideal for use in factory automation, process and control testing, medical equipment, measurement equipment, industrial equipment, and semiconductor applications equipment, as well as in servo motors, robots, and machine tools. They offer hard dielectric insert for better pin alignment and an enhanced mechanical strength compared to the MIL-5015 connector.

The Pre-Earth FMLB connectors offer different shell sizes, including 3102A box mount and 3106A straight plug. They have an operating temperature range from -55˚ to 125˚ C and can withstand up to 100 mating cycles. They also offer contact sizes from 4 to 20, with silver and gold plating available. The connectors feature either soldering or optional crimp terminations. Their current rating is 5A to 80A and voltage ratings of 110, 150, 200, 250, 400, and 500 VAC.

The connectors’ standard plating is black zinc alloy. Green zinc and other playing types are optional.