Mcmaster: Created page with "This page explains connectors commonly used in the nuclear industry and why you'd want to use one vs the other. = Signal = Early equipment (ie NIM bins) primarily use BNC...."

2019-03-09T06:26:02Z

Created page with "This page explains connectors commonly used in the nuclear industry and why you'd want to use one vs the other. = Signal = Early equipment (ie NIM bins) primarily use BNC...."

New page

This page explains connectors commonly used in the nuclear industry and why you'd want to use one vs the other.

= Signal =

Early equipment (ie NIM bins) primarily use BNC. Later equipment still uses BNC but some equipment (notably CAMAC) uses Lemo 00 connectors. Lemo connectors are much more expensive than BNC but are more compact and should provide a snugger fit.

= Backplane =

== NIM ==

Nuclear Instrumentation Model (NIM) backplanes primarily focus on analog signals. The crate (chassis + power supply) provides some interconnect but primarily provides power and cooling. Instead, signasl are primarily patched through BNC connectors on the front of the module.

NIM's can use either TTL or ECL logic. My understanding is that generally TTL is less expensive but ECL is faster.

== CAMAC ==

CAMAC focuses on digital electronics and computer control. It introduces a communications bus with a bus controller in the rightmost slot. The bus controller can be a standalone unit or provide PC connectivity through GPIB, RS-232, etc.

CAMAC primarily uses LEMO 00 connectors with occasional BNCs.

= HV =

[http://www.ludlums.com/support/connector-types Ludlum pictures]

[[File:mcmaster_connectivity_misc1.jpg|300 px]]

Above: from left to right: C, SHV, BNC. Note extended insulation on SHV rear

Common connectors:

{| class="wikitable sortable" border=1
!Image !!Name !!Volt !!Amp !!Diameter !!Weatherproof !!Cost !!Misc |
|-
| || BNC || 500 || || || N || Low ||
|-
| || MHV || 5000 || || || N || ||
|-
| || SHV || 5000 || || || N || || Long ground sheath ensures center disconnects before ground
|-
| || UHF || 500 || || || || ||
|-
| || C || 1500 || || Larger || Y || ||
|-
|}

Notes:

* Ref cost: lowest cost bulkhead I could find at a quick search (2015-12). Primarily eBay

JM general reccomendations:

* Use BNC for low voltage probes (ex: GM tubes)
* Use SHV for high voltage probes (ex: He-3 tubes)
* Consider C if you need weatherproofing
* For 5-40 kV you can get some reasonably priced/sized connectors
* >40kV:
* Do you really need a (bulky/expensive) connector? Consider simple terminals
* If you insist, use x-ray connectors

== x-ray ==

[http://www.claymount.com/en/products/high-voltage-connections-system/connector Claymount]

Vendors
* [http://cac.claymount.com/en/connector_ca1 Claymount]
* CA1 is the cylindrical three prong type
* CA22 is the booted type that I see sometimes
* [http://www.essex-x-ray.com/essex_industrial.html Essex]
* [http://dielectricsciences.thomasnet.com/category/x-ray-cables-assemblies Dielectric services]
* Classifies the Federal Standard as a medical connector and the conical as an industrial standard

=== Federal standard ===

Most common type I see. Three pin is most common, but also seen more (ex: on SEM). Retention / clamping ring style also seems to vary.

Claymount CA1

[http://dielectricsciences.thomasnet.com/viewitems/medical-x-ray-interconnect-systems/federal-standard-plugs-2 Comprehensive GE chart]

Sample equipment using this:
* Eureka
* GE

=== Conical ===

Claymount CA22

Essex

= C connector =

Primarily used on Ludlum detectors/meters.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_connector]

* Doesn't have much info
* Indicates that white vs red center is 50 vs 75 ohm although doesn't say which is which
* I have only seen white centers

[http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/c-type.html]

* 50 ohm (white)
** 75 ohm below 300 MHz
* 1500 volts peak, std
* 3000 VRMS
* Usually weatherproof

Notes from 2015-12

Found connectors under the following names. I haven't looked to formally figure out the differences

R390, R-390A

UG-568

* Bulkhead w/ 4 bolts
* Ex: [http://www.amphenolrf.com/082-504.html Amphenol 082-504]: UG-568/U, C-Type Straight Solder Jack, Panel Mount, 50 Ohm

UG-628A

* Ex: [http://www.amphenolrf.com/082-532.html Apnhenol 082-532]: RF Connector, UG-628A/U, C-Type Straight Clamp Plug for RG-8, RG-9, RG-213, RG-225, 50 Ohm

UG-634

* Ex: [http://www.amphenolrf.com/082-515.html Amphenol 082-515]: RF Connector, UG-634/U, C-Type Straight Solder Jack, High-Voltage, Bulkhead, 50 Ohm

UG-636A

* Bulkhead?

UG-706

* Bulkhead barrel

Connectivity - Revision history

Mcmaster: Created page with "This page explains connectors commonly used in the nuclear industry and why you'd want to use one vs the other. = Signal = Early equipment (ie NIM bins) primarily use BNC...."