TECHNICAL FEATURES
ROTOCON High-Speed Rotating Electrical Connectors – Reliable Power & Signal Transmission at 10,000+ RPM
- Capable of speeds up to 10,000 RPM.
- Flawless signal quality, stationary or rotating.
- Maintenance-free performance.
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors are designed for end-of-workpiece mounting and support operation at speeds exceeding 10,000 RPM. Available with up to 12 electrical channels and nearly 6 amps of ampacity in a compact design, the ROTOCON MM Series efficiently transmits both low-current power and data signals within a single assembly.
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors are widely used in demanding applications, including electric / IC engine test stands, medical devices and instrumentation, motor vehicle testing, and industrial and scientific research applications.
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors deliver consistent power and signal transmission with zero fluctuation, regardless of high rotational speeds or total revolutions.
Unlike traditional brushed slip rings, which suffer from wear, signal degradation, and frequent maintenance, ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors feature a sealed, brushless design, ensuring long-lasting, uninterrupted performance. Constructed from durable materials, they are environmentally sealed for use in harsh industrial and research environments.
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors are easily configurable to meet the exact needs of your high-speed application. Options include mechanical mounting, electrical terminations, and other value-add features. Additionally, Meridian Laboratory offers completely Custom Slip Rings in a cost and lead time efficient way for both low and high volumes.
For applications which demand rotational speeds up to 40K RPM, see our UHS Series of Ultra-High-Speed Slip Rings. Otherwise, if you require more than 12 electrical channels, see our MX Series of Multi-Channel Slip Rings.
Advantages
Why Choose ROTOCON High-Speed Rotating Electrical Connectors?
LOSSLESS SIGNALS
EASILY CONFIGURABLE
General Specifications
High-Speed Rotating Electrical Connector Specifications
MOUNTING
End-of-Shaft
End-of-Shaft: This series of rotating electrical connectors is intended to be mounted at the end of a workpiece and is typically secured via set screws to the shaft, or has a variety of other options available.
RPM
Up to 10,000
The maximum rotational speed of a ROTOCON rotating electrical connector is directly limited to the temperature the slip ring reaches under maximum current load and rotational speed within a given environment. The speeds shown are up to and not guaranteed in absolute maximums.
TEMPERATURE
-4°F to 160°F
(-20°C to 70°C)
Temperature rating is measured at the body of the ROTOCON slip ring under maximum current load and rotational speed; it should not exceed 160˚F for continuous periods of time. For application specific scenarios, please contact Meridian Laboratory.
CONTACT RESISTANCE
0.2mΩ
Contact resistance refers to the electrical resistance between the stationary and rotating portions, internal to the ROTOCON rotating electrical connector. This is measured without additional cabling or connectors, and is internal to the units themselves. This is measured stationary or rotating, regardless of rotational direction, speed, or orientation.
Configurations
MM Series Models (2-5 Channels)
| Name | Channels | Amperage | Voltage | Data Speed | Thermocouple Wire | Mounting | Shaft Electrical Term | Body Electrical Term | Part Downloads | 2D Download Action Type | File Datasheet | Model Download (3D STP) | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Multi-Channel Slip Ring | Up to 50 Channels | Up to 35A per Channel | Up 5,000V | Available up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) Speed | Available with all types of thermocouple wire | ||||||||
| MM-5-0804 | 5 | 2.75A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-4-1213 | 4 | 5.5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-5-0511 | 5 | 2.75A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-3-ZSDN | 3 | 4A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-4-1031 | 4 | 2.75A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM41031.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-2-0521 | 2 | 5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM20521.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-5 | 5 | 4A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-4 | 4 | 4A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM4.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-3 | 3 | 4A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-2 | 2 | 5.5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM2.pdf | Yes |
MOUNTING
MM Series Mounting Options
END-OF-SHAFT (STANDARD)
SHAFT FLANGE
BODY FLANGE
DOUBLE END-OF-SHAFT
For through-hole slip rings, check out our MXT-Series of through-hole rotary electrical connectors.
FAQs
Common High-Speed Rotating Electrical Connector Questions
How good is the signal quality of a ROTOCON slip ring?
The signal quality of ROTOCON brushless rotary electrical connectors is unmatched when compared to conventional brushed slip rings. In laboratory testing, measured channel resistance of rotating multi-channel ROTOCONs was found to vary less 0.2mΩ (zero point two milli-ohm) on average; orders of magnitude lower than that of conventional brushed slip rings. This stable resistance and low impedance allow ROTOCONS to be modeled as simple wires/cables in electrical systems designs. For more information, see our ROTOCON Advantages page for demonstration videos and white papers related to slip ring signal quality.
Can a ROTOCON operate at rotational speeds higher than their nominally rated specification?
Potentially. The limiting factors which dictate the maximum rotational speed of a ROTOCON is the temperature which the body of the unit reaches during operational use. Typically, this temperature should not exceed 160°F (70°C) for sustained periods of time.
The operational temperature of the ROTOCON is a combination of the environmental temperature, as well as temperature rise due to rotational drag/friction, and resistive heating from current flowing through the device.
The ratings provided on most ROTOCON models and datasheets are under the assumption of a 100% duty cycle. Therefore, many models momentarily operated at higher rotational speeds than listed, provided the temperature does not exceed 160F for long periods of time.
Meridian Laboratory offers test data and direct support for how much temperature rise can be expected for various series and models of ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors. For application-specific support, please contact us for assistance.
Can a ROTOCON operate in any direction and orientation?
Yes, ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors can be mounted and used in any orientation and rotate in any direction. Certain uses may prolong longevity in a particular orientation, but they are designed to be used in every orientation.
Does electrical resistance change under rotation?
The electrical resistance of a ROTOCON is extremely stable and resistive noise is effectively zero – typically less than 0.2mΩ of variation at all speeds up to the rated maximum.
How often is maintenance required for a ROTOCON?
Never. Once installed, ROTOCON brushless slip rings are engineered for continuous operation throughout their entire lifespan. Their brushless design not only ensures industry-leading signal quality, but also eliminates wear points and common failure modes found in traditional brushed slip rings.
Can I use a fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) with a ROTOCON?
Yes! Meridian Laboratory offers single and multi-channel fiber optic rotary joints as standalone products, or combined with ROTOCON brushless slip rings. Meridian Laboratory offers comprehensive product knowledge and support to serve as your single-source provider for rotary electrical and fiber optical needs. Please visit our ROTOCON Slip Ring & FORJ Combination page for more information.
Customization
High-Speed Rotating Electrical Connector Customization Options
APPLICATIONS & USES
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors are utilized in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to provide power and signal to and from the rotating propellers. They are commonly used to power resistive heating elements for de-icing drone blades.
Intravascular Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors and fiber optic rotary joint assemblies are used to provide power and fiber optic data for intravascular and pullback imaging devices in medical applications.
Laboratory Test & Measurement
ROTOCON high-speed rotating electrical connectors are commonly used by some of the world’s leading public and private institutions to collect critical data in applications such as centrifugal testing, torque/strain gauge testing, high-frequency vibrational testing, and many other research and development applications.
Resources
Helpful Information
Get the details you need, explore our complete resource library on every slip ring series.