In today’s high powered data world just about everything needs a connection to the network. Recently, ECS has installed data jacks to connect nitrogen tanks to a monitoring system. Another installation was at a seafood processing plant, right on the processing line, with the crab legs, discarded ice and fish parts. We’re looking at the same solution for a milk processing facility later this year. What these sites and many like them have in common is condensation or direct water contact with the data jack. Water is a huge corrosion agent of all the components inside the jack.
In fact, as in the case with the seafood facility, the water is in the form of direct pressure washing on the jack, faceplate and all the areas around them. The client installed touch screen computers along their line for order processing and fulfillment. Their productivity should rise without the need for their employees to constantly return to the office to check orders, stock levels etc. This can be done from their own workstations. But, because it is food processing, the need to clean the work areas thoroughly on a very regular basis was needed, as was a data connection that can withstand their cleaning efforts.
Enter the industrial network jack and components. These are not new, I remember being introduced to them a dozen years ago. However, in our new smart everything and connected world, I can imagine these becoming more popular. All major manufacturers make these and they come in different flavors (5e & 6, 2-Port& 4-Port). They have a sealing gasket between the jack housing and the stainless steel faceplate to keep out moisture, dust, oils, direct water contact, detergents, etc. They are also very effective at limiting the affects of vibrations that some machinery can generate (think a data jack mounted directly on a conveyor belt system).
The jack housing includes an attached screw on cap that keeps the jack protected when not in use. There are also patch cables that have the same cap on the ends that provide a more permanent connection that doesn’t have to be unplugged and re-plugged constantly.
The cost on these are significantly higher than a normal faceplate and jack, but think of the savings and peace of mind they will bring when one doesn’t have to constantly troubleshoot or replace their connectivity due to a jack failure, ironically adding connections to your equipment to boost production, only to have it stalled due to connection problems.
This application works great on docks, manufacturing plants, high water and condensation areas, conveyor belts, machine shops, production areas, restaurants, and any outdoor areas.
(Article by Charles Bressler – ECS Account Manager)