Compact Connectors Simplify Modular Power and Data Distribution Designs

For product designers, connector selection is not simply an electrical or mechanical decision. It affects enclosure layout, assembly flow, maintenance access, field replacement, and the ease with which a machine platform can be scaled or reconfigured. The transition to smart infrastructure necessitates a shift from conventional hardwiring to modular, plug-and-play connectivity solutions. HARTING aims to simplify product design with a versatile interconnect solution that makes equipment faster to assemble, easier to service, and better suited for modular automation systems.

As industrial equipment becomes smaller, smarter, and more modular, designers need connectors that deliver heavy-duty reliability without consuming valuable enclosure space. Ruggedized, compact, multi-purpose connectors can help reduce wiring complexity, simplify installation, and optimize space within machine and control-cabinet design footprints.

HARTING's Han® 1A Power T power bus systems combine compact power distribution with modular, tool-free connection features that can simplify both the product architecture and the user experience for installers and service teams.

Power, signal, and data transmission

These connectors provide an approximately 30% space-saving alternative to traditional connectors. They support power, signal, and data transmission, multiple contact configurations, and either clip or lever locking mechanisms.

Unlike conventional point-to-point wiring, the 1A Power T connectors are designed for power bus systems, in which a single trunk cable distributes power to multiple loads through pluggable T-connectors such as the 09100034751 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: HARTING's 09100034751 Han Power T 1A 3+PE clip can help designers streamline assembly, improve serviceability, and support increasingly modular automation architectures. (Image source: HARTING)

From a design perspective, the Han 1A power bus systems provide a versatile interconnect solution that can speed equipment assembly, better address the need for modular automation systems, and make it easier to add, remove, or relocate equipment as production requirements evolve. The components utilize a mate-and-click snap-in locking mechanism that lets installers make connections with a simple push until they audibly click into place, eliminating the need for specialized tools during mating.

In a modular production line, for example, a compact power bus connector can allow multiple machine sections to be connected, disconnected, or replaced without rewiring the entire system. In robotics or automated handling equipment, designers can route power through tighter spaces while keeping service points standardized across product variants. The HARTING system's colored coding elements can also help reduce the risk of mis-mating on machines with many similar connections.

With their compact footprint, multiple power configurations, and quick locking mechanisms, the connectors are well-suited for equipment that must be assembled efficiently, serviced quickly, or reconfigured in the field.

Next-generation equipment

Han 1A Power T connectors are designed for the next generation of compact industrial equipment, where every millimeter of enclosure space matters. They provide a robust option for power distribution in robotics, industrial automation, machine building, renewable energy, transportation, and modular production systems. Their reduced size enables significantly denser machine designs and the use of smaller control cabinets, thereby reducing the overall footprint of the factory floor.

Constructed with lightweight plastic, the Han 1A connectors are highly resistant to chemicals and aggressive environmental influences. They offer shock and vibration resistance, compliant with EN 61373 Category 1B to ensure highly reliable connections even under mechanical stress. Designers can incorporate matching hood and housing elements or single-wire seals to achieve IP65 protection in harsh environments.

Available in both 3+PE (three power conductors plus protective earth) and 5+PE configurations, they support standard three-phase systems and applications that require additional power or neutral conductors. A 3+PE shielded insert ensures clean transmission even in electromagnetically noisy environments, such as high-speed data transmission housed within the same connector that handles heavy power loads.

These connectors can manage power requirements up to 16 A and 400 V while simultaneously supporting high-speed data transmission at 10 Gbit/s (Cat. 6 A) or 100 Mbit/s (Cat. 5) at 0.5 A and 48 V. They accept wire sizes up to 12 AWG (4 mm²) to accommodate motors, drives, power supplies, and other industrial equipment. These specifications, combined with an operating temperature range of –30°C to +90°C, make these connectors suitable for compact applications that demand both high power density and industrial-grade reliability.

Conclusion

HARTING's Han 1A Power T power bus systems help reduce power installation complexity and simplify data distribution in compact industrial equipment. The combination of compact dimensions, configurable power options, and fast, tool-free mating gives designers a practical way to streamline assembly, improve serviceability, and support increasingly modular automation architectures.