November 13, 2006 -- Bel Stewart Connector (www.belfuse.com/StewartConnector) has announced the release of its ARJ45 series of high-speed Category 7a modular plugs and jacks. Part of the company's portfolio of connectors engineered for higher-speed networking and computing applications, the new series will initially consist of a cable-mounted plug, and single-port, PCB-mounted jack.
According to the company, the ARJ45 series is specifically engineered to meet the proposed Category 7a performance parameters of up to 1000 MHz, exceeding IEC's current Category 7 standards (IEC 60603-7-7 and IEC 61076-3-110). The company says the components' design is based on the proven reliability of the industry-standard RJ-45 interface, and provides enhanced mechanical properties to accommodate the higher data transmission speeds.
The new connectors are also interface-compatible with Nexans' (www.nexans.com) GG45 connector system. Stewart and Nexans collaborated to ensure the respective devices' interoperability and intermatability, making the parts the only proven intermatable solution for Category 7a offered from independent manufacturers, according to the companies.
Suitable for Class Fa premise wiring systems and 10-Gigabit Ethernet and higher-speed data transmission applications, the ARJ45 plug and jack may be used as a connector replacement in closed-loop InfiniBand, Fiber Channel, EyeMAX, Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), PCI Express, and microTCA applications. Further, as the connectors comply with the proposed Category 7a specifications, they are appropriate for employment in data centers, as well as in healthcare imaging and financial applications, according to the company.
Manufactured of UL94-VO plastics, the parts ship standard with gold-plated (50-micro-inch) contacts to ensure high-cycle life. Additional specifications include an operating temperature range of -40 degrees to +85 degrees C, and durability of 750 matching cycles. The connectors' voltage range is 150 VAC; current rating is 1.5 A @ 25 degrees C.
Pricing for the ARJ45 series of Category 7a jacks starts at $3.50 each in quantities of 1,000. While production quantities will start shipping early in Q1 of 2007, samples for design-in are currently available. For additional information, go to http://www.belfuse.com/Data/DBObject/ARJ45-Cat7a-conn.pdf.
