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Specialized Connectors for Cold Chain Shipping
Specialized Connectors for Cold Chain Shipping
Cold chain shipping involves the transportation of perishable items within a controlled temperature environment to preserve the quality and safety of products. Cold chain encompasses much more than food distribution — industries such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology heavily rely on climate-controlled transportation to prevent spoilage, contamination, and degradation of sensitive goods.
With the integration of telematic systems, cold chain shipping has made a huge leap forward in terms of features and efficiency. Networked sensors and monitoring devices give both drivers and dispatchers real-time data on temperature and humidity.
Proactive decision-making, immediate response to deviations, and streamlined supply chain management are now possible with remote sensor data. The combination of refrigeration and telematics equipment has helped companies eliminate the risks of product loss associated with temperature fluctuations and meet demands for regulatory compliance.
Cold Criteria for Connectors
Building out reliable hardware systems in your fleet is another question. Uninterrupted power supply critical to maintain interior conditions and signal transmission also needs robust, high-performance connectors for a telematic system that can stand up to the cold.
Temperature resistance, in particular low-temperature flexibility, is critical for connector selection. Obviously, they should reliably transmit power and signal at the lowest temperatures to which they'll be exposed.
Besides protection at the coldest extremes, components need good thermal stability in general, with stable performance over time after repeated temperature fluctuations.
With ups and downs in temperature inside a vehicle comes the hazard of condensation. Connectors should be sealed adequately to prevent moisture ingress. Given the potential for moisture exposure, materials also need resistance to corrosion, like stainless steel or gold-plated contacts, for example.
Telematic electric infrastructure requires automotive-quality attributes like vibration and shock resistance, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) shielding, longevity to eliminate frequent failures and replacement, as well as easy and safe attachment.
NorComp Recommendations for Cold Chain Shipping
While in-cab refrigeration and other telematic equipment may be certified for environmental extremes, choosing an inadequate connector can jeopardize the performance of the entire system. To ensure uninterrupted power quality and signal integrity, cold chain shipping needs specialized connectors.
NorComp, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of premium connectors, offers a wide array of higher performance, sealed, and rugged components that fit the full range of telematics requirements. Here are some recommendations for cold chain shipping available from NorComp:
M12 Connectors
Known for their compact design and robust construction, M12 connectors are ideal for use in harsh environments. NorComp’s specialized VULCON™ Stainless Steel line was built to withstand shock and corrosion. With variants designed for high-speed data transmission, M12 connectors play a pivotal role in sharing data between sensors, controllers, and monitoring devices in a cold chain system.
D-Sub Connectors
D-Sub connectors, known for their reliability and versatility, find application in various telematics systems. With their ability to support multiple signals and data types, D-Sub connectors are integral in linking temperature sensors, GPS units, and other monitoring equipment.
NorComp provides rugged D-Sub connectors for location data as well as sealed options with IP 67/68 ingress protection ratings. NorComp’s own SEAL-D® family of connectors are available in signal-only — with up to 44 contacts — and Combo-D configurations that offer both signal and power. For extra-strength waterproof protection, check out NorComp’s selection of NANOOK Sub-D interconnects.
QUIK-LOQ™ Circular Push-Pull Connectors
QUIK-LOQ™ Circular Push-Pull Connector systems are rugged, sealed connectors designed for telematics applications where quick mating and unmating is required, such as cargo monitoring. Metal shell options are available with both IP67/IP68 ratings for moisture resistance and 360° shielding for full EMI / RFI protection.
A Trusted Brand in Transportation Logistics
As cold chain operations continue to embrace technological advancements, the integration of telematics systems through robust electrical connectors will remain essential to creating a highly efficient and reliable shipping infrastructure.
Engineers trust NorComp in providing premium components for challenging environments and the help and resources customers need for successful projects.
Still unsure of what parts work best for your design? See our brochure below for more information about telematics, or contact an expert NorComp representative with your questions.
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