Bulgin is helping its customers to select the right connectors and switches for their applications with the launch of an Industry Applications brochure. Covering the entire Bulgin portfolio – including its broad range of Arcolectric switches – this newly created brochure provides a brief overview of the product lines best suited to each application.

The brochure is divided into industry-specific sections – industrial, marine, transport and infrastructure, automotive, medical, oil and gas, data and telecoms, agriculture, renewable energy, recreation and leisure, and appliances – demonstrating the diverse range of settings where you might find Bulgin products. A simple visual guide and ‘at a glance’ descriptions highlight the key features and available options for each product, making it quick and easy to find what you need. From circular power and data connectors to fuse holders and switches – as well as specialist fittings, such as ROV tether connectors and ATEX rated products – you can rely on Bulgin’s environmental protection expertise and many years of industry experience to provide the right solution for your application.

To download a copy of the brochure,
click here ----->   Applications Brochure

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There is a growing demand for power, signal and data to be made available just about everywhere we look – even in the most extreme types of environments. This means that the cables providing connectivity to these technological components have to work reliably under tough conditions – on automated factory floors, inside heavy machinery, exposed to outdoor elements or even underwater. One of the most common points for potential damage in any electrical system is any place where these cables get plugged in – the connectors.

So what’s the difference between a normal connector and a harsh connector?

Harsh connectors are expertly designed for extreme environments where technology is being pushed to new frontiers.

Some of the main elements that rugged electrical connectors will protect against include:

• Water – this includes rain, water vapour, and possible water submersion.
• Dust – industrial and outdoor environments often contain a lot of dust or dirt, which can be harmful to electrical systems.
• Extreme temperatures – very low or high temperatures can be detrimental to technology.
• Explosive environments – ATEX zones are work areas that could be potentially explosive because of the presence of dangerous substances in the form of combustible dust, gas, vapour or mist.
• Rough handling – some connectors need to be mated and unmated multiple times in a day, often hurriedly, which increases the risk of wear and tear on the connector. Connectors being dropped or dragged along hard surfaces can also cause damage to the components inside the connector and affect the integrity of power, signal or data connections being passed through the cable.
• Pressure – power, data and fibre optics are needed in aircraft, in space and even at the bottom of the ocean, where pressures can reach up to 9,000 pounds per square inch.
• Salinity – the high salt content of water and air in coastal and marine environments can cause corrosion and calcareous growth. The correct material selection is therefore vital to ensure the maximum lifecycle of technology components used in coastal and marine environments.

Key features of a harsh environment connector:
• IP rating – depending on the application, harsh connectors should have Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings of IP67 (protection from dust and immersion between 15cm – 1m), IP68 (protection from dust and long-term immersion up to a specified depth) or IP69K (protection from dust, close-range high pressure and high temperature spray downs). IP69K is ideal for applications in the food processing and medical industries, where equipment must be regularly sanitised.
• Locking/coupling mechanisms – a robust coupling mechanism is a must for harsh connectors. There are many different types of connector couplings, including ring, twist locking, threaded, bayonet, push-pull and quick disconnect couplings, all with different attributes for various types of applications.
• Housing and insulation – the type of material the connector is made of is an equally important consideration. For applications where the connector is likely to be exposed to extremes of temperature and plenty of moisture and dust, a corrosion-resistant metal housing may be the most appropriate option. For other uses requiring lightweight and flexible connectors, high-temperature resistant plastic composites may be more attractive. Overmoulded cable versions are also sometimes available as an option where it is not a requirement for the unit to be re-terminated.
• Seals & grommets – rubbery seals can be used inside the coupling for keeping the connection tightly in place and watertight.

The shape of the connector, thread pattern or mating mechanism and positioning of pins also play an important role in the creation of a truly rugged and reliable connector. Circular connectors allow for better ease of engagement and disengagement as well as capacity for a wider variety of contacts and voltages. Circular connectors are also easier to seal and less likely to wear or break, and an intelligent ‘scoop proof’ design can avoid damage to the pins if the connector is mis-mated.

Bulgin’s popular Buccaneer range is an excellent example of IP66, IP67, IP68 and IP69K rated environmentally sealed circular connectors. These secure, rugged and highly reliable connectors can be used in harsh or hostile environments and offer a wide choice of options from 2 to 32 poles with screw, solder or crimp terminations as well as USB, SMB & RJ45 options for data to solve any type of design requirement.

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Bulgin is pleased to announce the launch of a unique antimicrobial switches range as part of an exclusive partnership with BioCote Ltd, a leading provider of evidence-based antimicrobial technology. Bulgin’s best selling ranges of standard and miniature rocker switches, push button switches, double pole splash resistant switches and splash/dust covers will be manufactured with BioCote’s silver ion technology during the moulding process moulded to produce the world’s first antimicrobial electronic components. The antimicrobial ranges present OEMs with a distinctive new feature which offers a key point of end equipment differentiation and significantly enhances the benefits to the end user or the product.

Integrating BioCote® at the point of manufacture provides in-built antimicrobial protection for the life span of the component part, reducing microbes including bacteria mould and fungi by up to 99.9%. Bulgin’s switches are already sold into a wide range of industries including healthcare, laboratory science, education, catering, leisure and other ‘high traffic’ public places. “Bulgin’s switches are already used for a wide variety of ‘high traffic’ consumer and industrial devices. Our partnership with BioCote ensures the surfaces of Bulgin switches will help prevent the spread of microbes including viruses, mould and bacteria,” adds Mark Berry, Programme Product Line Manager, Bulgin. “We anticipate a strong reaction from our customers to these significant enhancements to our best selling ranges.” Five of Bulgin’s best selling switch ranges will utilise BioCote’s technology at manufacture stage, with further plans to roll out this process in time, as demand increases. Bulgin has undergone a rigorous R&D and testing process for the launch of this range.

All BioCote protected products are regularly validated and quality control tested to ISO 22196 where applicable, in an independent laboratory. Only products that demonstrate over a 95% reduction in bacteria are allowed to use the BioCote brand as a guarantee of superior antimicrobial performance. BioCote has carried out a number of environmental trials in hospitals, food processing and care homes to scientifically prove BioCote protected products are as effective in situ as in laboratory testing, consistently reducing levels of microbial contamination in the environment by over 95%.

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Designed to decrease downtime and increase production efficiency, the M-Series provides reliable and uncompromised data, signal and power transmissions for industrial automation systems in harsh environments.

Featuring an M-style threaded locking nut, Bulgin’s M-Series offers an extensive choice of robust industry standard interconnect solutions for automation and control applications including: M5, M8, M12, M16 and M23 variants.

With A, B & D Coded connector variants available throughout the range, Bulgin’s automation connectors are ideal for ensuring consistent and reliable actuator/sensor, fieldbus and Ethernet connections.

This IP67 rated connector range includes field installable connectors, receptacles and overmolded cable variants with PVC/PUR jackets. EMI shielded options are also available in addition to plastic or metal housing materials that come in straight and right angle forms.

Passive distributor boxes with M12/M8 actuator and sensor sockets are also available to reduce installation time in the field whilst maintaining a high degree of protection with an IP67 sealed housing.

Benefits:
- Reliable, robust and versatile connectivity solutions
- Shielded variants maintain signal integrity
- Environmental protection up to the IP67 standard
- Quick and secure screw coupling mechanism
- Wide variety of body styles and coding options

 Key Applications:
- Robotics
- Process Measurement & Instrumentation
- Automotive Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Machinery & Tooling
- Process Control Systems
- Packaging Equipment
- Material Handling Equipment

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Bulgin is pleased to announce the strategic incorporation of sister company Arcolectric into its business offering, bringing together two complementary connectivity portfolios.

By combining these leading product ranges under the highly respected Bulgin brand, the company is looking to the future, evolving into a more comprehensive and wider reaching component manufacturer and provider of engineered solutions to meet the needs of the industry.

German Casillas, Group Sales Director and Head of Connectivity, said: “The fusion of Arcolectric with Bulgin will allow us to focus our efforts on a single leading brand, streamlining operations and improving efficiency. This will significantly benefit our customers, enabling them to purchase both product ranges from a single source, making the procurement process far easier.”

The integration of Arcolectric's product portfolio will further broaden the range of components and value-added solutions available to customers.

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Bulgin has extended its popular range of anti-vandal products to include a 12mm miniature push button variant. The latest addition to the company’s anti-vandal portfolio is the smallest of its kind and one of the most versatile, offering multiple actuator options and a long life expectancy, guaranteed to 200,000 cycles. Compact and durable, it is ideal for applications where space is at a premium.

The IP65- and IK08-rated miniature anti-vandal range (IP67-rated switches available to order) is perfect for demanding environments where reliability is vital, with an operating temperature ranging from -25 to + 55 °C and shock resistance greater than 10g. Screw and pin terminal options with ratings up to 2A, 36 V DC, are available in a wide variety of actuator and body types, including:

- nickel-plated brass, stainless steel, zinc-aluminium and chrome-plated bodies

- domed, flush and raised actuator options in stainless steel or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

- dot and ring LED illuminated variants

Robust and sealed, the miniature anti-vandal switches are suitable for a wide range of demanding applications

SPECIFICATIONS:
* Ratings up to 36VDC, 2A
* Momentary functionality
* Nickel-plated Brass, Stainless Steel, Zinc Aluminium and Chrome-plated body types available
* Dot and Ring LED Illumination variants available
* IP65, IP67 and IK08 rated options available
* Screw & Pin terminal types
* Operating Temperature:
* 25℃ + 55℃ (no freezing)
* Shock resistance: >10g

APPLICATIONS:
Defence and Security
* Door Entry Keypads
* Security Alarm Systems
* Military Display Systems

Commercial, Recreation & Leisure
* Vending Machines
* Interactive Kiosks
* Ticket Dispensers
* Drink Dispensing Machines
* Digital Diving Cameras

Transport & Infrastructure
* Elevators
* Climate Control Systems

Scientific & Medical
* Cryogen-free Refrigerators
* Handheld Radiation Detection Equipment

Industrial
* Air Cleaning Systems
* Vacuum Packing Machines
* Power Tools
* Pressure Washers
* Pipe Inspection Systems

Marine
* On-board control systems
* Lighting devices and equipment

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Bulgin has expanded its ever-popular Buccaneer® range of environmentally-sealed power and data connectors with the introduction of the new Buccaneer 4000 Series. Building on the success of the Buccaneer 6000 and 7000 Series of quick locking connectors, this latest offering provides the same twist lock coupling and ‘fit and forget’ connectivity in a more compact format, making it easier for product engineers to integrate into their system designs.

The Buccaneer 4000 Series has been developed to provide excellent sealing characteristics to IP66, IP68 and IP69K standards – ensuring true environmental protection in harsh conditions – as well as to withstand vibrations, shocks and corrosion to EN/IEC 60068 requirements. Each unit has a UV-resistant, UL94-V0 flammability-rated plastic body equipped with a simple and efficient twist locking mechanism, allowing a secure connection without the need for specialist tools. Currently available in 3, 8 and 12 pole configurations rated up to 13A, 600V – plus a micro-B USB data connector – it offers a choice of solder and crimp contacts, and can accommodate cables from 3 to 7 mm in diameter. Together with a choice of in-line or panel mounting options, this makes the Buccaneer 4000 Series ideally suited to a wide range of marine, industrial, transport and infrastructure applications, especially where space is at a premium.

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Offering greater flexibility within the popular 6000 & 7000 series range, Bulgin is happy to announce Solder Contacts options are now available in addition to our Crimp Contacts.

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Bulgin – an Elektron Technology connectivity brand – is proud to announce the launch of the latest addition to its extensive range of environmentally-sealed circular connectors – the Buccaneer® 7000 Series for mains power applications. Designed to offer rapid and secure mains power connectivity in harsh environments, the Buccaneer 7000 is remarkably compact for its 25A and 600V rating, and has been developed to provide excellent sealing characteristics to IP67, IP68 and IP69K standards.

The all new Buccaneer 7000 Series features the Buccaneer range’s tried and tested one-piece body construction, and has a unique twist locking system with positive feedback, providing quick and convenient, ‘fit and forget’ connectivity in less than quarter of a turn, without the need for technical expertise or specialist tools. Available in 2, 3, 6, 10 and 32 pole options, with a choice of fully interchangeable nickel plated, cast zinc alloy or UV-resistant, UL94-V0 flammability-rated plastic bodies, the Buccaneer 7000 Series will offer engineers and designers the greatest possible flexibility in system design.

Stuart Hutchings, Marketing Manager for Bulgin, commented: “The Buccaneer 7000 Series is designed for use across a broad range of demanding applications, from outdoor broadcasting and lighting to industrial automation and marine installations. These innovative connectors will provide a compact, cost­effective and, most importantly, easy-to-use solution that offers complete environmental protection.”

German Casillas, Head of Connectivity at Elektron Technology, added: “The new Buccaneer 7000 series is another example of Elektron Technology’s pioneering approach, combining many years of experience with emerging technologies to create comprehensive products that meet the ever­changing needs of the marketplace.”

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Bulgin – an Elektron Technology connectivity brand – has launched 4-, 6- and 8-pole versions of its popular PX0777 environmentally-sealed in-line cable joiner, offering cost-effective water- and dust-proofing for a wide range of applications.

 The original 3-pole version of the PX0777 has been part of the Bulgin Buccaneer range of environmentally sealed connectors for over 15 years, taking advantage of the Company’s tried and tested technology to provide convenient IP68 rated connectivity for indoor and outdoor use. The recently released 4-, 6- and 8-pole cable joiners extends this robust environmental protection to a wider range of applications, offering rapid connection of multi­core cables.

The new variants of the PX0777 uses a specially designed circular terminal block – rated at 10 A, 250 V per pole – allowing safe, secure connection of up to eight 1.5 mm2 cores using the same compact moulded plastic body as the 3-pole version. Available with a variety of sealing glands to suit 3.5 to 9 mm cables, the PX0777 can be quickly and conveniently assembled without the need for special tools, making it ideally suited to on-site installation of mains power or signal connections, either planned or unplanned.

Stuart Hutchings, Marketing Manager for Bulgin, commented: “The new PX0777 is designed for use across a broad range of demanding applications in harsh environments. Engineers often don’t know the exact length of cable needed until they get onto a site, so a ‘fit and forget’ solution such as the PX0777 is perfect for these situations, providing a reliable, long-term sealed connection in minutes.”

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