Connectors shine a light on internet of things applications
The growth in the internet of things (IoT) requires effective, practical manufacturing and installation strategies as much as its bold new design and integration concepts., says GCT.
New IoT applications appear constantly, from wearable devices to city-wide traffic management systems. Full IoT implementations are often about big data analysis of large sensor arrays, for an insight into and ability to control, the environment. However, IoT technology gives us better control in simpler applications as well, with lighting systems being a prime example. Modern installations increasingly use light emitting diode (LED) lighting technology, due to power efficiency and operational longevity. LED lights offer another key advantage, reveals GCT – controllability. They turn on and off instantly, and have an infinitely controllable and dimmable output, with no flickering. Lighting effects can be accurately defined and implemented, covering desired areas with no wastage.
Another major factor is that LED luminaires operate from low voltage DC supplies, rather than AC mains, so they must be fed from an AC/DC power adaptor, usually known as a driver. Today, some of these drivers have become smart, and can be connected to lighting industry standard networks such as DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). This means that they, along with the LED luminaires they feed, can be driven remotely by a human or automated controller.
Retail applications such as point of sale displays are realising these controllable LED lighting benefits, with implementations using flexible LED lighting strips. As LED products, they provide energy efficient lighting, with low heat output – particularly important within the confined space of an advertising display light box. They start up instantly with a crisp light, and are available in a variety of colours. Part of the success of LED lighting strips is down to the fact that they are easy to install, and reliable. GCT has developed surface mount wire trap connectors specifically for LED lighting strip applications. Engineers can choose either a 2.4 or a 4.0mm pitch, depending on space constraints and current rating requirements. These options, together with a choice of one, two or three contacts, make the design efficient and compact. The natural LCP insulating material provides a discrete, aesthetic match to lighting strip PCB colours. Light absorption and shadowing is reduced, with minimal likelihood of light reflections where white PCBs are used.
The BJ302 and BL300 connectors save time during installation, maintenance and repair, says GCT, as stripped cables may be inserted and terminated direct to the contacts in one simple action. The cables can be removed equally easily, and without need for special expertise, simply by pushing a slider button.
High-performance lighting configurations are facilitated with good connector current ratings; 8A per contact with 18 AWG solid cable on the BJ302 4mm product, and 4A per contact with 22 AWG solid cable on the BL300 2.4mm version. Operating temperature range is -40 to +105 degree C.
GCT’s wire trap connectors also simplify bills of materials, drawings and assembly procedures, as a single connector type is all that’s needed to cover every PCB-PCB and PCB-power supply connection.
