What Is a High-Current Electric Connector?
High-current connectors are components used to easily connect and disconnect electrical circuits and are intended for high-power and high-current applications such as power supplies and motors.
They are mainly used for electrical connections in equipment.
Products with current-carrying capacities of up to 6000 A in the 2φ to 100φ range are standard.
Although bolts and nuts can be used to connect conductors that conduct electricity by screwing them together, the use of connectors greatly improves workability in comparison.
Applications for High Current Electric Connectors
Before the introduction of high-current connectors, the area where they were installed had to be expanded to accommodate the heat generated during current flow and for safety measures against single-circuit currents.
The high-current connector’s multiple contact points reduce contact resistance and temperature rise, making it possible to pass large currents in a small space.
As a specific example, they are used in substations because they can withstand large currents of several thousand A. They are also used in electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and other applications.
They are also used in electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, large vehicles, and general passenger vehicles.
Principle of High Current Connectors
Electricity flows even when metal conductors are in contact with each other. However, electrical resistance increases at the contact point, causing energy loss due to heat generation, and heat generation itself can be a problem. Furthermore, the reliability of signal transmission becomes low.
To solve this problem, a certain contact pressure is required between conductors. There are various methods for generating contact pressure, and each manufacturer has its method for increasing contact area and pressure while reducing contact resistance.
In high-current connectors, the multi-surface contact method is used compared to the conventional point contact method.
By utilizing the spring characteristics of beryllium copper, contact is always maintained on multiple surfaces, the contact pressure is stabilized over a long period, and contact resistance is minimized, enabling a larger current to flow safely and with less loss than before.