The role of electrical connectors in improving automation and sustainability in agriculture applications
In the agriculture sector, electrical connectors are used for everything from power and signal transmission to facilitating connectivity for automation and environmental monitoring. As industry 4.0 technology has reached the agriculture market in recent years and kickstarted agriculture 4.0 demands for increased automation, improved power efficiency and more sustainable equipment are increasing. Here Nathan Talbot, UK industrial sales manager at connector specialist PEI-Genesis, discusses recent advancements in electrical connector technology and how these are helping the agriculture sector meet its automation and sustainability goals.
The way we farm is evolving in line with technological developments, from using surveillance drones to evaluate fields to deploying sensors to monitor soil conditions and adopting agriculture vehicles that automatically plant or harvest crops. This concept, which stems from the development of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) is known as agriculture 4.0.
An example of agriculture 4.0 in action is the use of survey drones, equipped with multispectral imaging systems, to record video in both the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Here, the drone is used to provide a birds-eye view and spot any concerning situations that are otherwise difficult to identify from the ground. These include irrigation difficulties, unacceptable soil variations and, even, harmful insect and fungal infestations.
With the agriculture sector embarked on the next stage in its evolution, it is clear that the electrical equipment that farmers rely on must move with the times. This includes electrical connectors, which are used for everything from transmitting power and key operational data to connecting camera equipment in fields to displays in tractor cabs.
Agriculture connectors
When it comes to electrical connectors, the agriculture sector has always demanded the very best. Equipment used in these applications must be rugged enough to withstand harsh environments, including exposure to dust, moisture, high vibration and extreme temperatures. The industry also traditionally prefers compact and modular connector designs that allow operators to integrate equipment in a relatively small footprint.
Now, these demands are evolving to also include improved electrical efficiency, which is critical for improving sustainability. And there are also increased requirements for smart connectors to be deployed to take advantage of features like self-diagnosis and remote monitoring. Furthermore, the industry now favours connectors that facilitate high-speed data transfer as these allow them to make data-driven decisions in real-time and enable faster communication between sensors, drones and central systems.
Industry-certified connectors for agriculture
Amphenol’s LTW X-Lok series of connectors can provide both power and signal transmission capabilities in a M12-compatible form factor. This dual functionality saves space and negates the cost of otherwise purchasing multiple connectors while simplifying installation. Furthermore, because of its blind-mate functionality, it is well suited to use in tight spaces with limited access or reduced visibility.
One notable project using these connectors was in a vertical farming operation, where crops are grown in stacked trays using LED lighting. In this case, the customer transitioned to X-Lok connectors and improved efficiency to the point where it estimated it was now saving around 2,500 hours annually because of reduced installation and maintenance time and also a reduction in overall system downtime.
As new, innovative connectors are increasingly deployed on farms, they will reap the rewards of agriculture 4.0 and create the smart farms of the future. These will use automated systems and IoT devices to optimise all aspects of agriculture, from planting to harvesting. However, farmers must ensure connectors don’t become an expensive barrier in the smooth implementation of Agriculture 4.0.
PEI-Genesis distributes Amphenol’s connectors for the agriculture sector and puts an emphasis on speed and flexibility, so customers can get the exact connectors they need as soon as they need them.
The firm can also help agriculture customers design fully modular connector assemblies, enabling them to incorporate various connector types onto a single place. This allows them to use connectors that are suitable for today’s requirements while changing the inserts when it’s time to improve the cable or contact layout as they onboard more smart farm capabilities.
This means farmers can adapt their systems by upgrading or reconfiguring connector assemblies as needed, without incurring significant costs for reengineering or full system redesign. This approach ensures the connectors remain suitable for evolving requirements while maintaining the rigorous standards of quality and testing necessary for new designs.
To find out more about the wide range of connectors for agriculture applications from PEI-Genesis, visit www.peigenesis.com.
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