Large aquarium systems are becoming ever more popular around the world, featuring in luxury hotels and restaurants, and even on super-yachts. When designing an aquatic system, however, it is vital to get the electrical systems right first time. A large aquarium can potentially house many hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of rare aquatic life. Connections therefore need to be well protected with high IP ratings to prevent failure.
When one designer and manufacturer of large aquaria needed a simple electrical connection, it turned to Hylec-APL for a solution. Traditional industrial connectors were too bulky which can compromise a tank’s aesthetics and be time consuming to install, the company explained.
As a solution, Hylec supplied a plug and socket connector from its patented weatherproof TEE family of products.
Terry Spriggs, product marketing manager for Hylec-APL, said: “We were approached to supply a solution that would offer discreet and quick installation while maintaining high levels of ingress protection. Our weatherproof range of products is one of the most comprehensive on the market and we were able to supply the TEEPLUG to meet all of their needs.”
The TEEPLUG connectors are available with a variety of ingress protection levels, with the highest IP68 rated models ensuring protection when totally submerged in water to depths of up to 50m.
These inline connectors comprise of two parts – a male and female – which allows customers to pre-wire the product in house, reducing installation times and minimising errors on-site. The higher IP rated products use
a double seal arrangement to achieve the ingress protection, an o-ring seal on the male part of the socket and an end seal in the female side. Furthermore, the connector has a close tolerance fit and then a simple twist lock collar or screw down cover to secure the connection.
The versatile range includes panel/chassis mount options for use with enclosures or bulkheads up to IP68 and a combined chassis/in-line unit with three poles up to IP68. The products vary in size, with two to six pole connection available. Dimensions range from 90 to 130mm long (when closed).
Hylec-APL
T: 01933 234400
