Erkan Teskancan
Kurumsal
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## The Revolution of Contactless Connectors in Industrial Power and Data Transmission
In industrial automation systems, power and data transmission are mostly carried out via conventional connectors. However, as these connectors are frequently plugged in and unplugged, the contacts degrade and wear over time, leading to a limited service life. This results in unpredictable production downtimes and intensive maintenance requirements.
Real-time communication systems, such as the NearFi contactless connectors developed by Phoenix Contact, can solve many of these problems. Contactless connectors eliminate the wear problem, offering an innovative approach in industrial applications.
### How Do Contactless Connectors Solve Wear Problems?
The automotive industry provides a good example of the types of wear connectors face. For instance, a connection is made and broken hundreds of times a day between a robot arm and interchangeable tools. This frequent use shortens the service life of connectors by causing contacts to burn, become contaminated, or deform.
Since production downtimes are unpredictable, they cannot be planned, and regular maintenance costs in this area can reach high figures. These connectors are also used in automated guided vehicles, turntables, and slip ring applications. Standard connectors, on the other hand, either perform inadequately or require intensive maintenance, which increases operating costs.
### Phoenix Contact NearFi Features
- Provides contactless power and data transmission over an air gap.
- Total 50W power transfer with 24V 2A.
- Durable housing with IP65 protection class.
- Ethernet and power connection with M12 ports.
- Inductive power transfer using a magnetic field.
- Optimal power parameters with an automatic shutdown control system.
- No strict alignment required between devices; can operate in offset and angled positions.
### Bit-Based Full Duplex Communication
Today, data transmission in industrial automation typically relies on the 100 Mbps Ethernet protocol, and some protocols require very low-latency communication. NearFi contactless connectors use near-field communication at 60 GHz to provide bit-oriented synchronous data transfer, which is the same method used in fiber optic communication.
While other wireless technologies use packet-oriented communication, leading to high latency, NearFi enables full-duplex transmission of real-time Ethernet protocols. Such full-duplex communication is challenging with technologies like WLAN and 5G, but NearFi achieves this with two 60 GHz links in parallel frequency bands.
### Next-Generation Contactless Ethernet Technology
NearFi technology provides protocol-independent, real-time, low-latency Ethernet transmission up to 100 Mbps. Because it operates over short distances, interference in the environment is minimal, and it can seamlessly coexist with existing wireless networks (WLAN, Bluetooth).
### Continuous 50W in Contactless Power Transmission
Power transmission is based on the inductive principle; the base connector creates a magnetic field via a coil, and this field is induced in the coil of the remote connector. In this system, power is continuously maintained at a constant 50W, supplying devices such as I/O stations or switches without contact.
### Mechanical Flexibility and Durability
Unlike conventional connectors, contactless connectors do not require devices to be perfectly aligned. Connectors can operate even when shifted, angled, or in rotating positions. This feature eliminates the mechanical wear problems of slip rings and optical rotary transformers used in rotating applications.
The connectors can be mounted from three different sides with M5 or M6 screws, providing universal and flexible installation.
Contactless connectors provide wear-free, maintenance-free, and high-performance power and data transmission in industrial automation applications, which means uninterrupted operation and cost savings on production lines.
