GIMOTA tailormade Products and special Cable Outlets

Connectors available on the market do not always cover a customer’s range of applications or list of requirements. For example, high currents or an unusual number of contacts cannot be accommodated by a standard connector. Even a unique installation situation due to unusual space constraints can present an unexpected challenge. All of this may necessitate the development of a custom, customer-specific product solution.

For more than 60 years, GIMOTA AG has been working with rail-specific connectors, applications, and solutions. It is therefore understandable that the focus is on solutions suitable for the rail industry. In many projects, existing industrial products have been adapted to and improved for the demands of the rail market. TRAC data connectors, M12 connectors with bayonet locks, and high-quality 360° shielding connections are now used in many rail transportation applications.

Many customers worldwide have already benefited from Gimota’s extensive expertise in application development and its broad experience with connector systems in the rail sector. Gimota’s application developers work closely with customers to better understand their requirements and specific operational tasks. On-site assessments of specific application requirements lead to a solution approach, which in turn results in a suitable product recommendation. Ultimately, the customer receives a product that meets both their technical requirements and their assembly and installation needs.

Suitable for railway applications Optimally adapted to the application and installation situation Small production runs possible Optional conductive surfaces for EMC Various end housings, including those with shield connections	Conductivity per MIL 1344A/3007 ≈ 0.5 mΩ Operating temperature: -60°C to +200°C EN 45545-2 R22, R23 / HL1, HL2, HL3 IEC 60529 protection rating up to IP69 DIN IEC 61373 Cat. 2

An on-site analysis quickly revealed that the aging connector solution from a third-party manufacturer in the cable junction box was responsible for the increasing number of power outages on the trains. Water and contaminants could penetrate the old connectors, which were manufactured to industrial standards, leading to short circuits between the individual railcars.

The challenge in this project was to replace an existing application with a higher-quality solution while reusing as much of the old installation as possible. During the analysis, it quickly became clear that water was flowing through the existing cables and protective conduits into the cable junction box and could thus enter the interior of the connector. Thus, on the one hand, the existing system wiring and cable protection had to be retained, and on the other hand, the longitudinal sealing of the connector had to be ensured.

This was not possible with a standard solution, as space was very limited. Gimota developed a “sliding backshell” that could be slid back over the cable protection solution, thereby providing the necessary space for rewiring. In addition, the connector sockets were filled with a sealant certified to EN 45545-2 to provide additional protection.

Project: Berlin S-Bahn Series 480

A train traveling at high speed through the desert presents manufacturers with unforeseen challenges. Connectors located beneath the train are subjected to conditions akin to sandblasting due to the sand kicked up by the train. To counteract this, Gimota has equipped its sensor connectors—already widely used around the world—with a special rubber coating. This coating cushions the impact of sand particles, ensuring long-lasting protection for the connector’s outer housing even under the harshest conditions. Like all Gimota connectors, these connectors are characterized by their ease of installation.

Project: Mecca-Medina Talgo 350 high-speed train

No matter what the weather is like or whether the tracks are straight, passengers expect their train to run on time and be reliable. This places particular demands on the electrical connections between the outside and inside of the train. Connectors serve as a crucial interface between these two worlds. They transmit the signals that ensure safety and comfort.

Electromagnetic interference adds to the challenge, which is why shielded cables have long been used for safety-critical connections. But what can be done when two shielded cables of different diameters from different locations converge at a splitter connector, and the entire assembly must also be sealed? Conventional connectors are not designed for this. However, the limited space precludes installing multiple connectors side by side. To address this, Gimota has developed a cable outlet for two shielded cables with an integrated corrugated tube adapter.

Project: TWINDEXX, Bombardier Transportation

Depot connectors must ensure the reliable transmission of power and signals, even at high voltages. They are individually designed and manufactured to meet the customer’s project-specific requirements. Depot connectors ensure the train’s power supply in the depot when the pantographs are de-energized.

GIMOTA depot connectors are designed for this purpose. They are equipped with auxiliary contacts—these close after the connector is inserted and open the circuit before the connector is removed. Where human safety and health depend on the reliability of the technology, Gimota depot connectors are the first choice.

Project: TRAXX RU F120 MS, Bombardier Transportation