HARTING experts discuss the Han 1A connector series, which takes up 30% less space, offers up to 12 contacts, and supports quick installation with snap-in technology.
Goda Inokaityte, Senior Product Specialist at HARTING
For this edition of RS’s “Ask The Expert” series, we spoke with Goda Inokaityte, Senior Product Specialist at HARTING, about the Han® 1A connectors manufactured by HARTING and available through RS.
Goda, tell us a little about HARTING.
Due to its close, trust-based cooperation with customers, the HARTING Technology Group has become one of the leading global specialists for connector technology. HARTING is skilled in the fields of electrical, electronic, and optical connection, transmission, and networking technology, as well as in manufacturing, mechatronics, and software creation, and it uses these skills to develop customized solutions and products including connectors for energy and data transmission applications. Connectors ensure functionality. As core elements of electrical and optical termination, connection, and infrastructure technologies, they are essential in enabling the modular construction of devices, machines, and systems. In short, connectors are at work in virtually every conceivable application area.
What prompted the development of the Han1A series connectors?
The smaller, smarter systems and devices enabling the new Industry 4.0 manufacturing environment are generating ever-increasing demand for miniature, modular connectors that make connections easier and more error-proof, ease system maintenance, and support scalability. HARTING responded to these new demands by developing the Han 1A connector series.
Can you give us a brief overview of the Han 1A series?
HARTING’s Han 1A connector series is made of a robust, chemically resistant plastic (polyamide) that can withstand rugged industrial environment and is lightweight, which is critical to achieving efficiency targets for dynamic equipment. It offers a wide range of housings, gaskets, inserts, cable glands, and accessories, including mounting frames, cable adapters, strain relief, dummy plugs, coding elements, and color-coded pins designed to expedite assembly and installation. Housings are available with snap-in latches or a single locking lever that don’t require any screws, tools, or expertise and facilitate quick and easy installation. Standard solutions are rated IP20, but hoods, housings, and single-wire seals that deliver IP65 protection are available as well.
The Han 1A series supports data, signal, and power transmission in operating temperatures extending from -30°C to +90°C and offers 2–12 contacts and current and voltage ratings extending up to 16 A and 400 V for broad application suitability. It also offers a shielded version that outperforms drain wires’ EMC effect and Cat 5 and Cat 6a data transmission modules, as well as certain inserts UL tested to 600V.
HARTING’s Han 1A connector series
Which industries are Han 1A Series connectors suitable for?
HARTING’s Han 1A connector series is 30% smaller than HARTING’s next smallest industrial rectangular connector, the Han 3A, which makes it well suited for Industry 4.0 applications that require robust, miniature, and modular connectivity solutions.
The Han 1A series is designed for the industrial market and is 30% smaller than HARTING’s next smallest industrial connector, the Han 3A series, enabling engineers to design it into more compact and dynamic equipment. Since smaller, smarter electronic systems are increasingly common in other markets too, these miniature, modular connectors are also being used in transportation, machinery, robotics, power generation and transmission, wind energy, and energy storage applications.
Do your competitors offer products similar to the Han 1A Series?
Yes. The connector industry is expansive and offers many different styles of interconnects, including other modular rectangular connectors. However, HARTING was the first to develop a modular rectangular interface as opposed to a modular circular interface, which provides a variety of benefits in terms of both fit and ease of use, and the Han 1A design is still unique to the market. Its rectangular shape eliminates tedious, threaded, screw-action mating processes commonly required for circular connectors and its modular construction, which allows individual components to be quickly assembled to form a ready-to-use connector, provides assembly and inventory management efficiencies.
Why should a customer choose the HARTING Han 1A connector series instead of comparable solutions from a competing brand?
There are two answers to that question: one is technical, and the other is support.
Technically, Han 1A connectors are really unique when it comes to assembly and inventory efficiency due to their modular design and data, signal, and power transmission capabilities. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s a cool looking connector.
The other equally important — or possibly even more important — reason why a customer should buy the Han 1A Series is because of the comprehensive support that HARTING and its distributors provide. HARTING’s application engineering team and RS Electronics’ technical support staff are always quick to help with product selection, to put together a comprehensive proposal, or to answer a technical inquiry. So, choosing the Han 1A series over a competing option gives our customers a superior-quality product backed by outstanding technical support.
What are the economic benefits for customers who buy Han 1A connectors?
There are several!
- Han 1A connectors require up to 30% less space compared to HARTING’s next smallest industrial rectangular connector, the Han 3A, which saves space and, consequently, weight and cost as well.
- They offer extreme application flexibility, transmitting data, signal, and power with up to 12 contacts.
- They are highly versatile. Han 1A modular inserts and accessories are suitable for use in a wide range of applications, minimizing the need for a large inventory of parts. The clearly structured connector system is based on a few basic components, which reduces inventory costs and facilitates the simple and rapid assembly of a variety of ready-to-use connectors.
- Han 1A connectors also support fast and accurate connections using snap-in technology that reduces labor costs, inventory costs, and the need for special assembly tools.
The modular structure of the Han 1A connector system makes it quick and easy to assemble a wide range of ready-to-use connectors using just a few basic components, which also reduces inventory costs.
How does HARTING ensure the consistent quality of its Han 1A connector series?
HARTING stands for superior reliability and quality. The standards HARTING sets are the result of stringent quality management procedures subject to regular certifications and audits. HARTING adheres to standards including ISO 9001, the European Union’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), and ISO 1400:2400 and was the first company in the world to earn IRIS certification — the first International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) for rail vehicles.
Additional evidence of HARTING’s dedication to superior quality and reliability is that the Han 1A connector series earned a prestigious 2020 iF DESIGN AWARD in the electrical connector product category. HARTING was chosen as the winner by a 98-member jury of independent experts from around the world and came out ahead of 7,298 other entries from 56 countries. Now, that’s quality!
What does the future hold for HARTING’s Han 1A connector series?
The demand for components designed to support miniaturization and automation in manufacturing, like Han 1A connectors, continues to increase as Industry 4.0 continues to proliferate. In fact, the smart manufacturing market is expected to be worth $589.98 billion with a CAGR of 12.4% by 2028. In addition, the smart transportation market, which Han 1A connectors are also well suited for, is expected to grow to $206.80 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 11.1%. Employment in other smart industries in need of miniature, modular components with data, signal, and power will also likely increase.
