How to choose a Han rectangular connector correctly?

How many poles and what current do you need?

Start with the signals and power that must pass through the connector. Count every conductor, add spare poles and assign the correct rated current to each circuit. Only then can you decide on the contact insert and frame size.

Standard Han contact inserts range from 3 to over 100 poles. Small signal contacts typically carry 10 A, power contacts 16 A or 40 A, and high-current modules up to 200 A. The real current must be judged against the current-temperature curve and the ambient temperature, not against a single contact's maximum rating.

• Signal and control lines: 10 A contacts, small conductor cross-section.
• Power: 16 A or 40 A contacts, cross-section up to 10 mm².
• High current: modules up to 100 A or 200 A for drives and inverters.
• When several poles are loaded at once, apply the derating factor.

Which frame size and contact insert fit?

Frame size follows from pole count and contact type. Han housings use a modular principle: a contact insert sits in a standardised frame, and the frame sits in surface-mount and hood housings. This lets you combine power, signal and data in the same housing.

For the contacts you choose between crimp, screw, cage-clamp and spring termination. Crimp contacts are fast and maintenance-free, cage-clamp saves tools during on-site assembly. In modular frames you freely combine power, signal and pneumatic modules within one frame.

Which hood housing and what ingress protection?

The hood housing accepts the cable and provides strain relief and sealing. Choose it by cable diameter, exit direction and environment. Straight exits save depth to the rear, side exits fit into tight cabinets.

• Housing material: die-cast aluminium is rugged, plastic is light and corrosion-free.
• Cable gland sized to the cable diameter, sealed where IP protection is required.
• Exit direction straight, sideways or as a bulkhead housing with cover.
• Locking by bail or lever, with a latch retainer where vibration occurs.

Mated and locked, Han connectors reach IP65 or IP68 depending on the seal. Outdoors and in wash-down areas, sealed glands and matching hoods are mandatory. Per EN 61984 the rated voltage and rated impulse withstand voltage must be observed so clearance and creepage distances stay safe.

Frequently asked questions