What Is a High Voltage Connector?
Specifications of a high-voltage connector are classified into three categories.
- Coaxial high voltage connector (coaxial, triaxial)
- Multi-pole connectors for high voltage (multi-pole type)
- Mixed connectors for high voltage + low voltage (mixed type)
In connectors for high voltage, it is important to note the difference between Type A and Type Z regarding contact protection. Type A power is supplied from the receptacle side. Type Z power is supplied from the plug side.
Normally, the female contacts are protected and located at the back of the insulator, but in the case of the high voltage type, the male contacts are protected at the back, and in this case, the contacts of the type A plug are a female type.
Uses of High Voltage Connectors
For example, to connect PCBs in a PC or between these modular devices, connectors make it easier and faster to connect and separate devices because of the direct connection between circuits.
Therefore, mass production, division of labor for each functional unit at multiple production sites, and assembly and maintenance of system equipment can be easily realized, as can interfaces with peripheral devices and networks.
High-voltage connectors are used in medical, industrial, and aerospace equipment, among others, that are subject to high-voltage loads.
Principle of High Voltage Connectors
A connector is usually a two-piece structure, with a plug on one side and a receptacle on the other side, which together serve the connecting and separating functions of the connector.
Both the plug and receptacle consist of a contact that conducts electricity, an insulator made of plastic that holds the contact and serves as insulation between the contacts, and an outer shell component called a shell that protects the insulator.
The contacts, which are the key components of the connector, are both made of highly conductive copper alloys, with non-springing pin contacts on the plug side and spring-loaded socket contacts on the receptacle side to accept the pin contacts.
The basic function of a connector consists of electrical contact and connection as a static contact, and mechanical coupling and separation. Since the signal connection is made electrically, it is used when improved workability is desired, as opposed to methods such as screwing with bolts and nuts, which irreversibly connect conductors.
High-Voltage Coaxial Connectors
High-voltage coaxial connectors are one type of high-voltage connectors for wiring connections that use high-voltage-compatible coaxial cable-type wires with thicker insulation coating for enhanced voltage resistance. For example, the high-voltage coaxial connectors used in the high-precision detectors of Hisawa Giken Co., Ltd. were made for a U.S. research institute. There are custom-made high-voltage coaxial connectors used in high-precision detectors, and to ensure high reliability in high-voltage wiring systems, the necessary cable connections are made with these high-voltage coaxial connectors.
Coaxial cables are a type of covered wire used in telecommunications, with a cross-section resembling many layers of concentric circles, and are mainly used as high-frequency signal transmission cables for radio communication equipment, broadcasting equipment, network equipment, electronic measuring instruments, etc. High-voltage coaxial connectors are used for high-voltage applications. High-voltage coaxial connectors are used for high-voltage applications.