Lithium-ion battery charging is increasingly replacing lead-acid battery charging in industries with electrified outdoor equipment. As this shift takes place, lithium-ion batteries will benefit from connectors that facilitate additional battery monitoring, help prevent overheating, and more. Battery connectors for electrified equipment must not only have high current support, but also reliably hold up in harsh outdoor environments.
Market Segment Manager Joe Ferris recently sat down with GlobalSpec to discuss how the IBC series of connectors can improve the process of lithium-ion charging. Read about the top 6 features of IBC connectors that can help optimize charging for electric machinery.
Top 6 IBC Connector Features
1. IP68 Sealing Kit
Outdoor charging creates high risk of wear and tear from rugged weather conditions. The sealing kit accessory for the IBC connector series helps protect the connectors from this damage.
This kit is the only IP68 rated sealing kit for a DIN compliant connector on the market. The kit allows users to seal their connectors, protecting them from being exposed to rain, dirt, dust, and other debris. This exposure can cause connectors to reduce their charging speed and capacity and heat up more quickly. The kits consist of a seal, O-rings, and a rubber grommet, so wires can pass through while keeping the connectors sealed and protected from environmental harm.
2. DIN Compliance
The IBC connector series are often referred to as DIN connectors or DIN-style connectors because they comply with DIN VDE 0623-589. In the webinar, Joe Ferris explained that DIN stands for the Deutsch Institute of Normalization, which creates technical rules and standards meant to improve safety, efficiency, and quality across products, services, and systems in Germany and Europe.
Anderson Power also produces DIN-compliant connectors so that their products are compatible with other DIN-compliant connectors. Design standardization means that the connector meets the specific electrical, physical, and mechanical properties that are called out in the standard.
3. Modular Design
Along with its compliance with DIN standards, the IBC connector series’ designs are also modular and engineered for ease of use. For example, the contacts are held inside of a cartridge that can be slid in and out of the housing. This cartridge is useful because as contacts wear and tear from use, they can be easily removed for repairs or replacement.
Contacts are housed in a tight space, so this removable cartridge allows for more working space when fixing contacts. This easy-to-use design reduces the risk of making mistakes as well as reducing repair time, meaning users can spend more time operating their equipment instead of fixing it.
4. Up to 10 Auxiliary Connections
Exclusive to Anderson Power, the IBC 320 contains 10 auxiliary connections. Users do not have to use all 10, but they are available to support lithium-ion charging.
While the industry standard for lead-acid charging was 4 auxiliary connections—also available in the IBC series—lithium-ion battery charging requires more communication and data transfer between batteries and equipment. Therefore, Anderson Power’s innovative solution allows engineers to utilize 10 auxiliary connections to efficiently charge and monitor their equipment.
5. Contact Temperature Sensing
The contact temperature sensing capability offered by the IBC connector series helps optimize the process of lithium-ion charging. When charging quickly, contacts can heat up, risking damage.
Adding the optional temperature sensing kit to the IBC enables the ability to monitor the temperature of the contacts, allowing operators to keep track of their machinery. When they see their equipment is too hot, they can take a break from charging. This temperature sensing feature both reduces the risk of damage and promotes efficiency.
6. Strain Relief Clamp
When connecting equipment and chargers to wires, everyday movement from use can pull the wires out of their ports, causing strain and potential damage. To address this reality, Anderson Power added a strain relief clamp to their connector design.
This clamp holds onto the wire, preventing it from being pulled out of the housing. When the wire is securely held in place, the connector is no longer at high risk of being damaged. This lower amount of wear and tear keeps charging safer and more efficient, improving the lifespan of connectors.
Watch the Full Webinar
The IBC Series by Anderson Power provides numerous benefits for electrified machinery. Its IP68 sealing kit, DIN-compliant design, and ease of use give operators more peace of mind on the job. Learn more from Joe Ferris about the IBC series of connectors by watching the full GlobalSpec below.