Product Description
Matrix Miniature Connectors come in various types, each offering unique advantages to engineering teams. Our line provides compact, high-density solutions ideal for applications with limited space, such as medical devices and aerospace equipment. Additionaly we offer robust, sealed connectors for extreme environments like defense and industrial settings. Lastly, we support high-speed data transmission in fields like telecom and broadcasting. These connectors provide versatility, durability, and reliability, catering to a wide range of engineering needs in challenging applications.


Value Added
Matrix goes beyond supplying customized connectors by offering comprehensive solutions in building customized harnesses and assemblies. We specialize in overmolding, ruggedizing, and incorporating connector gaskets to ensure superior performance in challenging environments. Our ruggedized assemblies provide benefits such as enhanced durability, protection against harsh conditions, and increased reliability, ultimately reducing downtime and maintenance costs for customers in industries requiring robust and dependable connections.
Frequently asked questions
If you have a question that is not addressed in our FAQ please click 'Contact Matrix' at the top of the page and submit. We will answer directly and add it to our FAQ to benefit the entire engineering community.
Your vision! Our expertise! Collaborating with engineering teams is what we do best! We listens to your priorities, and create a customized solution tailored to your specific requirements.
1. M8 Connectors:
- Description: M8 connectors are compact, circular connectors with 3 to 8 pins, commonly used for sensor and actuator connections in industrial automation.
- Benefit: Engineers appreciate M8 connectors for their small form factor, robustness, and suitability for space-constrained automation applications, ensuring reliable signal and power transmission.
2. M12 Connectors:
- Description: M12 connectors are circular connectors with 3 to 8 pins, widely used in industrial automation for sensor, actuator, and data connections.
- Benefit: Engineers rely on M12 connectors for their versatility, IP67/IP68 sealing, and resistance to harsh environments, ensuring dependable automation system performance.
3. RJ45 Connectors:
- Description: RJ45 connectors are rectangular connectors with 8 pins, commonly used for Ethernet communication in automation and networking.
- Benefit: Engineers choose RJ45 connectors for their compatibility with standard Ethernet cables and seamless integration into industrial Ethernet networks, ensuring high-speed data transmission.
4. USB Connectors:
- Description: USB connectors enable Universal Serial Bus connections for data transfer and power delivery in automation applications.
- Benefit: Engineers appreciate USB connectors for their ease of use, standardized interface, and compatibility with various devices, facilitating flexible automation system configurations.
5. Circular Connectors (Various Sizes):
- Description: Circular connectors come in various sizes and pin configurations, offering flexibility for power and signal transmission in automation.
- Benefit: Engineers value circular connectors for their robustness, secure locking mechanisms, and adaptability to diverse automation equipment and environments.
6. Push-Pull Connectors:
- Description: Push-pull connectors feature a secure and quick-connect mechanism, minimizing mating errors and ensuring rapid installation.
- Benefit: Engineers benefit from push-pull connectors’ ergonomic design, reducing downtime and simplifying maintenance in automation and robotics.
7. D-Sub Connectors:
- Description: D-Sub connectors are rectangular connectors with various pin configurations, commonly used in automation control systems for data and signal transmission.
- Benefit: Engineers favor D-Sub connectors for their reliability, versatility, and resistance to electromagnetic interference, making them suitable for automation control applications.
8. DIN Connectors:
- Description: DIN connectors feature a circular or rectangular design with different pin configurations, used for power and signal connections in industrial automation.
- Benefit: Engineers rely on DIN connectors for their standardized interfaces, durability, and compatibility with a wide range of automation devices.
9. Power Connectors (e.g., PowerCON):
- Description: Power connectors, like PowerCON, are designed for high-current power transmission in automation equipment, ensuring reliable electrical connections.
- Benefit: Engineers choose Power connectors for their robustness, high current-carrying capacity, and secure locking mechanisms, vital for power-hungry automation components.
10. Circular Push-Pull Connectors:
- Description: Circular push-pull connectors provide secure and quick connections, suitable for automation systems requiring rapid installation and maintenance.
- Benefit: Engineers appreciate circular push-pull connectors for their ergonomic design, minimizing downtime in automation and robotics.
11. Field-Attachable Connectors:
- Description: Field-attachable connectors allow on-site termination of cables, ideal for customizing cable lengths in automation installations.
- Benefit: Engineers value field-attachable connectors for their flexibility, reducing cable waste and facilitating tailored automation system setups.
12. ATEX/IECEx Certified Connectors:
- Description: ATEX and IECEx certified connectors are designed for hazardous environments, where automation equipment requires explosion-proof or intrinsically safe connections.
- Benefit: Engineers rely on certified connectors to ensure safety and compliance with explosive atmosphere regulations in automation processes.
13. Medical Connectors:
- Description: Medical connectors are designed for healthcare automation systems, featuring sterile and durable construction for medical device connections.
- Benefit: Engineers in the medical field trust these connectors for their reliability, compliance with medical standards, and compatibility with medical equipment.
14. FiberOptic Connectors:
- Description: FiberOptic connectors provide high-speed optical data transmission, suitable for automation systems with demanding data requirements.
- Benefit: Engineers choose FiberOptic connectors for their immunity to electromagnetic interference, enabling reliable and high-bandwidth communication in industrial automation.
15. Hybrid Connectors (Combining Electrical and Optical Contacts):
- Description: Hybrid connectors integrate electrical and optical contacts in a single connector, facilitating data and power transmission in one solution.
- Benefit: Engineers appreciate hybrid connectors for their versatility, reducing cabling complexity and optimizing automation system efficiency.
Each of these cure-in-place potting materials from Matrix serves specific engineering needs, providing tailored solutions for diverse electronic application.
1. Connector Type and Size:
- Choose the appropriate connector type (e.g., M8, M12, D-Sub, RJ45) and size to match the specific application requirements, taking into account the number of pins and signal/power needs.
2. IP Rating:
- Evaluate the connector’s Ingress Protection (IP) rating to ensure it can withstand environmental conditions, such as dust and moisture. IP67 and IP68 are common ratings for industrial automation.
3. Operating Temperature Range:
- Verify that the connector can operate within the required temperature range of the automation environment, from extreme cold to high heat.
4. Voltage and Current Ratings:
- Determine the connector’s voltage and current ratings to ensure compatibility with the power requirements of the connected devices and equipment.
5. Shielding and EMI/RFI Protection:
- Consider connectors with shielding capabilities and electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) protection for reliable signal transmission in noisy industrial environments.
6. Mating Cycles:
- Check the connector’s durability by reviewing its mating cycle specifications, important for applications with frequent connections and disconnections.
7. Keying and Polarization:
- Ensure proper keying or polarization features to prevent incorrect connections and reduce the risk of signal or power disruption.
8. Vibration and Shock Resistance:
- For applications with mechanical stress, select connectors designed to withstand vibrations and shocks to prevent accidental disconnections.
9. Chemical Compatibility:
- If exposure to chemicals is expected, verify that the connector materials are chemically resistant to prevent corrosion and degradation.
10. UL or Other Certifications:
- Check for industry-specific certifications, such as UL listing, ATEX, or IECEx certifications for hazardous locations, to ensure compliance with safety standards.
11. Connector Termination Method:
- Consider the termination method (e.g., solder, crimp, screw, IDC) that aligns with the application’s assembly requirements and ensures secure connections.
12. Signal Integrity:
- Evaluate the connector’s impact on signal integrity, minimizing signal loss and ensuring data accuracy, especially in high-speed data transmission applications.
13. Environmental Sealing Accessories:
- Determine if additional sealing accessories, such as gaskets or boots, are needed to enhance the connector’s environmental protection.
14. Customization Options:
- Explore whether the connector can be customized with specific features or modifications to meet unique project requirements.
15. Long-Term Availability:
- Ensure that the selected connector model will remain available for the expected lifecycle of the automation system, preventing obsolescence issues.
16. Cost Considerations:
- Balance the connector’s performance and features with the project’s budget constraints while ensuring that it meets essential technical requirements.
By meticulously considering these technical factors, engineering teams can make informed decisions when selecting automation connectors, ensuring seamless connectivity, system reliability, and optimal performance in their automation applications.
1. Manufacturing and Industrial Automation:
- Problem: Complex industrial machinery and automation systems require precise signal and power connections to maintain operational efficiency.
- Solution: Automation connectors provide reliable connections for sensors, actuators, and control devices, ensuring smooth operations in manufacturing plants.
- Reference: Found in automotive assembly lines, CNC machines, and robotics.
2. Process Control Systems:
- Problem: In process industries, such as oil and gas, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, connectivity is crucial for monitoring and controlling various processes.
- Solution: Automation connectors enable data exchange between sensors, PLCs, and control systems, ensuring real-time process control.
- Reference: Used in refineries, chemical processing plants, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
3. Machine Vision Systems:
- Problem: High-speed data transmission is essential for machine vision systems to process and analyze images in real-time.
- Solution: High-speed automation connectors facilitate the rapid transfer of image data between cameras and processing units.
- Reference: Applied in quality control and inspection systems across industries.
4. Robotics:
- Problem: Robots rely on precise connections for motion control, sensor feedback, and communication with central control units.
- Solution: Automation connectors ensure reliable connections between robot components, improving accuracy and productivity.
- Reference: Common in industrial robots for material handling and assembly.
5. Industrial Ethernet Networks:
- Problem: Industrial Ethernet networks demand rugged connectors for high-speed data transmission in harsh environments.
- Solution: Industrial-grade connectors like M12 and RJ45 support Ethernet communication in automation and control systems.
- Reference: Used in manufacturing automation and factory floor networking.
6. Automated Test and Measurement:
- Problem: Precise data acquisition and instrument control require connectors that minimize signal interference.
- Solution: Automation connectors with shielding ensure accurate data transfer and instrument synchronization.
- Reference: Found in electronic test and measurement equipment.
7. Medical Devices and Diagnostics:
- Problem: Medical devices, such as patient monitors and imaging systems, require sterile and reliable connections.
- Solution: Medical-grade connectors ensure safe and secure connections in healthcare automation.
- Reference: Common in medical devices and diagnostic equipment.
8. Agricultural Automation:
- Problem: Agricultural automation relies on connectors to connect sensors, actuators, and control systems in farm machinery.
- Solution: Rugged connectors withstand outdoor conditions, supporting precision agriculture.
- Reference: Applied in automated farming equipment.
9. Renewable Energy:
- Problem: Solar and wind power systems require connectors to link photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to inverters.
- Solution: Automation connectors facilitate efficient energy conversion and grid integration.
- Reference: Used in solar farms and wind power plants.
10. Aerospace and Defense:
- Problem: Aerospace and defense systems demand connectors with high reliability and resistance to extreme conditions.
- Solution: Aerospace connectors ensure secure connections in avionics, radar, and military applications.
- Reference: Critical for aircraft, spacecraft, and military equipment.
COMPARE
Compare Options
Click below to get a customized comparison chart tailored to your application.
1
2
3
1 | 2 | 3 | |
Considerations | M12 Connectors | RJ45 Connectors | D-Sub Connectors |
IP Rating | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Operating Temperature | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Voltage and Current | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Shielding & EMI/RFI | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Mating Cycles | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Keying/Polarization | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Vibration & Shock | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Chemical Resistance | Very Good | Good | Moderate |
Customization Options | Good | Good | Very Good |
Cost Considerations | Good | Good | Moderate |