The Power of Connection: A New Era in Integrated Power and Signaling

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The Power of Connection: A New Era in Integrated Power and Signaling

Figure 1: Commercial lawn and garden equipment is transitioning to battery- power, in large part because of regulations like the CARB's updated regulations requiring most new small off-road engines be zero emission by 2024. This brings new demand for increased power and signaling from the connector market.

The rise of electrification creates new demand for advanced power and signaling in high-power density connectors. Anderson Power™ is leading the charge in this innovation.

Improvements in power density and efficiency have given rise to a trend called “the electrification of everything.” The outdoor power equipment market is changing as it moves from traditional combustion power to battery power in products as varied as snowmobiles, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and kayaks. This trend shows no sign of slowing down; electric equipment accounted for 17% of the market in the US in 2020, and the electrification market was projected to grow to $126 billion by 2028. 

This trend requires efficient connector solutions with associated data transmission capabilities. Anderson Power recognizes the increased need for streamlined connector solutions, and developed the SBS^®X Connector Series to accommodate power and signaling into one potent package.

The benefits of combining power and signaling are numerous, including:

With increased signaling capabilities, customers retain better control over their systems.
Powering up and down becomes a unified, more efficient process, as signaling provides crucial data on system status in real time.
By reducing the size of the connector’s outer housing, the streamlined design saves space and enhances the aesthetics of the power applications.

Charles Douglas, the Global Product Management and Marketing Director at Anderson Power, described the company’s goal when developing the connector series. “With our connectors’ design, all the functional needs of signaling are provided in a single, unified package with a high-power density,” said Douglas. “We pack the most power into the smallest footprint possible.”

Figure 2: The SBS^®X-75a in the mated condition, using two power contacts and four signaling contacts.

Beyond the compactness of the design, these connectors also respond to the increasing electrification of equipment by enhancing signaling and power capabilities. In industries such as construction and agriculture, signaling has taken on a more prominent role in managing the lifespan of the lithium-ion batteries used in the new equipment. Some equipment now requires signaling to more than five amps, as well as four, six, or even eight signals to monitor the battery effectively. In response to this need, the SBS^®X-75A connector comes in multiple configurations that offers both power and signaling rated up to 140A with four-signal capabilities.

Anderson Power also recently announced the SBS®X-Pro connector that offers three power ports alongside eight signal contacts. This connector is perfect for applications with brushless motors -- such as larger lawn and garden equipment -- that require high signaling capabilities. The SBSX-Pro will be released before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) clean air initiatives go into effect.

Cheryl Mailloux, the Global Product Manager at Anderson Power, described how the expansion of the SBSX Connector Series responds to clients’ newfound battery needs. “Customers are using signaling with power to monitor the charge and maintenance needs of the lithium-ion batteries,” said Mailloux. “With the signaling capabilities in our connectors, customers can determine how much life the battery has left, monitor mating cycles, and respond if the battery is not powering on and off at the correct times.”

Legislation Responds to the ‘Electrification of Everything’

The market for electrified outdoor power equipment will only continue to surge as the technology advances and more states adopt clean air requirements. For example, a recent California law bans the sale of new gasoline-powered tools in the state -- including chainsaws, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers -- starting in 2024. According to Forbes magazine, pollutants associated with traditional combustion-powered outdoor equipment are high; using a gas-powered leaf blower for an hour emits as much pollutants as driving a 2016 Toyota Camry on an 1,100-mile road trip. CARB is expected to continue to advocate for stricter emissions standards not just for landscaping tools, but for “a range of statewide pollution sources including vehicles, fuels, and consumer products.”

As new regulations are signed into law across the country, Anderson Power is committed to supporting the clean energy transition while ensuring the highest levels of performance and reliability in its connectors. As a leader in the high-power interconnect solutions market, Anderson Power will continue to monitor ongoing legislation and actively adapt its products toward an electric and environmentally friendly future.

The SBS^®X-Pro is the latest connector design from Anderson Power. It's rated 110A and combines 3 power contacts with 8 signaling contacts to power large electric equipment.

Today’s Adaptations in Power and Signaling

Ultimately, with its integrated power and signaling capabilities, the SBS Connector Series has proven to be a successful adaption to ongoing changes in the outdoor power equipment market. The SBSX-75A connector and the upcoming SBSX-Pro connector combine power and signaling into one unit, a solution that delivers the most power in the smallest footprint possible. Customization of the connectors is also available to fit specific customer needs, ensuring Anderson Power connectors are a perfect fit for any application.

Anderson Power believes in the power of connection, both in the products the company makes and the relationships its employees build with customers. The current and upcoming series of SBS connectors promises a streamlined connector solution that meets changing customer needs by packing the most power and signaling possible into one compact unit.