Slotted bracket secures cables on Ethernet switches

There are many secure connectors available for switch manufacturers to use, but that means compatibility between various types can be a major issue. The bracket, on the other hand, provides the assurance of secured connection that might be obtained by moving to secure connectors, but without the added cost or the requirement for much bulkier products. The bracket is also claimed to improve on conventional secure connector devices that are only suitable for replacing the RJ45 copper connectors - and do nothing to secure either fibre-optic connectors or power connectors.

GarrettCom Europe business development manager David Moss comments: "Vibration is a very real problem across a whole spectrum of industries, but how to tackle it effectively has always been something of a conundrum when it comes to Ethernet connectivity. We considered offering a secure connector option to replace the standard RJ45 connectors for the copper cable ports, but these connectors are so much bulkier that it would be impossible to offer the same port densities on our existing form factors. Either the products would have to be much bigger, or we would have to compromise on capability. Offering secure connectors would also add a significant cost to the products and does nothing to secure the fibre connectors or the power connectors. But our bracket option is a simpler, more cost-effective, and ultimately more satisfactory solution."

Industries such as the rail sector have to deal with vibration as a fact of life, and GarrettCom reports that key users in this sector have already welcomed the new bracket. It will also be suitable for other transportation sectors, on machinery and in plants where vibration is a recognised issue, or to provide added security in fixed panels that have to be transported to their end location, where the assurance of secure connections will help to speed commissioning.

About the 6KQ switch

A rugged managed field switch, the 6KQ can be configured with up to twelve 100Mb fibre ports. Highly compact, the 6KQ has been developed to meet user requirements for small form factor Gigabit Ethernet switches in demanding industrial applications. It is sealed to IP53 for dust and water resistance, and the case design enables excellent heat dissipation.

The 6KQ draws upon the 6K family's modular architecture to provide remarkable configuration flexibility. It can be configured with user-selected combinations of 10Mb, 100Mb and Gigabit fibre ports of any connector type. Copper port options include 10/100/1000 RJ-45, as well as up to eight 10/100 PoE (power over Ethernet) ports. To meet the needs of demanding industrial Ethernet applications, the 6KQ can easily handle stressful workload mixtures of high-burst data traffic and priority streaming traffic.

An important feature of the 6KQ is its advanced thermal design, using a ribbed aluminium case to produce excellent heat dissipation in a rugged, sealed package. The design eliminates the need for fan cooling, resulting in a more compact product that meets a wider range of international standards for use in applications such as power substations. Furthermore, with its IP53 construction and optional conformal coating, the 6KQ is certified for use in hazardous environments such as those found in oil and gas, mining and chemical plants. And with the option of the new tie-wrap bracket, the 6KQ switch brings the benefits of advanced managed networking into hostile environments.