Passive-safety pole connectors
15 September 2010
Interconnection
To meet the requirements for passively safe street fixtures (required by future EU legislation) and to reduce installation, repair and temporary removal times of roadside lighting and electrified signage, Molex has developed a quick-disconnect power connector system with low extraction forces and IP68 sealing properties, suitable for a range of rugged, outdoor power applications.
Under the EU legislation, all powered road-side lighting, traffic lights and signage will be required to have an emergency power quick-disconnect system. In line with the legislation, the Molex passive-safety pole connectors provide electrical isolation of powered apparatus within 0,40 seconds of impact. This quick-disconnect function prevents poles and cables from becoming live conductors at crash sites. A further safety feature of the Molex system is that it allows a pole, which shears at its base on impact, to break away cleanly. This prevents armoured electrical supply cables from dangerously tethering a pole during a crash.
The connectors can also save pole manufacturers and installers time and labour costs and reduce traffic flow disruption and congestion as a quick-installation connector. Poles and posts that have been factory fitted with the Molex male cable assembly can be supplied on-site and simply connected to the pre-installed female (ground) connector and cable. In addition, the Molex connectors enable electrical cables to be disconnected and reconnected as required to facilitate the quick and straightforward removal, repair, replacement and upgrading of electrified signage and lighting poles. During installation or temporary removal of posts, the female (ground) connector can be sealed to IP68 by the integral sealing cap and safely left unmated as required.
The Molex connector system is also suitable for rugged applications, unrelated to road safety, that require a sealed, quick-disconnect, safety power connector such as on-street charging posts/stations for electric vehicles, dock-side generators, golf buggies/carts, hospital beds and temporary speaker and lighting installations at open air concerts.
For more information contact Craig Gibbs, Avnet Kopp, +27 (0)11 809 6100, [email protected], www.avnet.co.za
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