Feed-through data connectors

Jon Lawson

Cliff Electronics can now offer its system integrator and panel building customers increased flexibility of control panel design with the introduction of Matt Black Metal versions to its wide range of rugged nickel plated diecast aluminium fascia XLR Feed-Through Data connectors.

Cliff’s Metal Feed-Through connectors diecast mounting fascias reinforce the high quality, performance and prestige image of this new product range.

Also available in a plastic housing, Cliff’s range of feed-through connectors are packaged in the widely used 24mm diameter XLR connector format and provide Digital and Optical Feed-Through connectivity in formats including USB3 to USB3 in all gender changing configurations - A-A, A-B and B-A.

Other models in the range cover all popular data and Ethernet connectors including USB 2.0 and 3.0, LC and SC fibre (Duplex & Simplex), UTP and FTP RJ45s in both Cat6 and Cat5e (shielded and unshielded), USB ‘gender’ changers, Toslink, RCA Phono and HDMI and blanking plates. Further options will continue to be introduced throughout 2016 and custom design enquiries are welcomed.

All versions, metal and plastic, share the same features and dimensions and offer a complete range of very cost effective audio, data, and fibre connectors, all of which can both front or rear mounted into industry standard 24mm XLR connector mounting holes. The new FT Series are simple to mount into any panel designed to accept XLR connectors including instrumentation, control and rack panels, wall-plates, etc. For ease of assembly the Cliff FT Series are available with standard or countersunk mounting holes. Bezels are available in 7 colours to identify the function of FT connectors when fitted to a control panel.

The FT Series offers true feed-through connection, allowing standard cabling to be used to connect at both front and rear, eliminating the need to solder or terminate the connections and simplifying and speeding up assembly.

Cliff’s FT series has already found widespread use in a multitude of system integration applications for custom I/O solutions. Typical applications include broadcast, AV installations, systems integration, home theatre, automation, solar power and a growing range of industrial applications including instrumentation, industrial control and data acquisition.