Bulgin's new EXPlora Connectors have ATEX Approval

Bulgin Components is pleased to announce a new range of connectors designed for use in hazardous environments - the EXPlora series.

Independently tested for compliance to ATEX standards for use in Zone 2 and Zone 22 environments, the new EXP series is manufactured from a tough high grade UL94V-0 rated Polycarbonate material. Similar in construction to Bulgin’s popular 900 Series Buccaneer, the connectors are environmentally sealed to IP68 to provide protection for the most severe of dust and water borne environments. Ambient temperature range is from –20°C to +55°C.

The ATEX coding is: Ex II 3 GD and the certificated no: Baseefa09ATEX0232X.

Compact in design, the connectors are available in 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 pole variants and in four body styles - cable, in-line cable, panel and flange fixing. Each contact insert is available with either pin or socket contacts and either can be used with any of the body styles to give the maximum choice of combinations.

They are rated up to 18A, 600Vac/dc for 2, 3, 4 and 5 poles, 16A, 430Vac/dc for 7 pole and 10A, 250Vac/dc for 10 poles. The 3, 4, 5 and 7 pole versions have leading earth contacts making them suitable for single or three phase applications.

The EXP series connector achieves an environmental seal to IP68 as soon as the locking ring is tightened, without any supplementary sealing. Sealing caps, with strong steel retaining cords, maintain the sealing integrity when connectors are not mated. The IP68 rating is tested submerged at 10m for two weeks.

Screw fixing terminal contacts, designed to accommodate conductors up to 4mm2, require no special tooling and allow the connector to be easily terminated and maintained ‘in the field’, while positive location keyways prohibit the possibility of mis-connection.

Two designs of cable retention and alternative sealing glands allow for cable acceptance from 7mm through to 22mm diameter.

The connectors are designed for a wide variety of applications in mind, where a secure, reliable and easy to terminate interface is required, particularly for manufacturers supplying machines, equipment and systems where these explosive atmospheres might exist. As well the petrochemical industries, this could include; mills and grain stores, paint and ink manufacturers, timber mills and processors, cement works, shipyards and sewage treatment.
The EXPlora range is most suited to manufacturers of ancillary electrical equipment such as motors, pumps, lighting equipment, process and control gear for use in factories and plant where hazardous, or explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts.