TECHNICAL FEATURES
Consistent Power & Signal Transmission at High-Speeds
- Capable of speeds up to 10,000 RPM.
- Reliable, maintenance-free operation.
- Consistent, high quality signal and power transmission, stationary and rotating alike.
- Low and stable electrical resistance.
ROTOCON high-speed rotary electrical connectors are designed for end-of-workpiece mounting and can operate at speeds up to 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 rotary 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.
Designed to provide consistent power and signal transmission with zero fluctuation, ROTOCON high-speed rotary electrical connectors maintain performance 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 rotary 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 rotary electrical connectors are easily configurable to meet the exact needs of your high-speed application. Customization options include mechanical mounting, electrical terminations, and additional value-added features. Additionally, Meridian Laboratory offers Custom Slip Rings with cost-effective and efficient lead times for both low and high-volume applications.
For applications requiring rotational speeds up to 40K RPM, see our UHS Series of Ultra-High-Speed Slip Rings. If you need more than 12 electrical channels, explore our MX Series of Multi-Channel Slip Rings.
Advantages
Why Choose ROTOCON High-Speed Rotary 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 6-12 Channel Standard Models
| 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-8-0916 | 8 | 2.75A | 600V | End of Shaft | Connector | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-6-1118 | 6 | 2.75A | 600V | Yes | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Custom Model | Yes | ||||
| MM-8-0717 | 8 | Signal | 600V | Yes | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM80717.pdf | Yes | |||
| MM-12-0920 | 12 | 1.5A | 600V | Flange | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM120920.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-6-0506 | 6 | 2.75A | 600V | Flange | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM60506.pdf | Yes | MM-6-0506.jpg | |||
| MM-12-0625 | 12 | 1.5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM120625.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-12-0706 | 12 | 1A | 600V | Flange | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-12-0213 | 12 | 1A | 600V | Flange | Flying Leads | Flying Leads | Custom Model | Yes | MM-12-0213.jpg | ||||
| MMS-12 | 12 | 1.5A | 600V | Yes | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Odoo Custom Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MMS12.pdf | Yes | |||
| MM-10 | 10 | 1.5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-12 | 12 | 1A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | MERIDIAN-LABORATORY-ROTOCON-MM12.pdf | Yes | ||||
| MM-8 | 8 | 1.5A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | Yes | |||||
| MM-6 | 6 | 2.75A | 600V | End of Shaft | Flying Leads | Ring Terminals | Standard Model | 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 Rotary 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.
Is the MM Series offered in more than 12 electrical contacts / channels?
The MM Series of high speed rotary electrical connectors features a maximum of 12 electrical channels / contacts. For higher channel counts, we offer our ROTOCON MX Series which features up to 30 electrical channels / contacts, or our Custom ROTOCON brushless slip rings to meet your needs.
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.
Can a ROTOCON pass Profinet, Ether-CAT, Ethernet, and other industrial communication protocols?
Yes, ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors and slip rings are capable of transferring many signal types and communication protocols, including Etherlink, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP, Powerlink, CC-Link IE, SERCOS III, SynqNet, MECHATROLINK-III, ControlNet, RS485, RS432, RS422, EtherCAT, and more generally speaking – any 1000BASE-T Ethernet-based or similar communication protocols. If you have a specific protocol not listed, please contact us directly to determine if your signal is compatible.
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.
Customization
High-Speed Rotary Electrical Connector Customization Options
APPLICATIONS & USES
Engine Test Stands
ROTOCON high-speed rotary electrical connectors are used for engine, electric motor, and transmission test stands to measure signals on rotating equipment. They are used for the measurement of fan blades, shaft vibration testing, torque transfer, stress/strain gauges, temperature, and other critical electrical signals that are present on the rotating parts of an engine, motor, or transmission.
Non-Destructive Test Equipment
ROTOCON high-speed rotary electrical connectors are utilized in eddy current instrumentation and other high-frequency non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment to transmit power and signal.
Live Specimen Monitoring
ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors are used in live specimen monitoring and research applications to connect sensors to animals such as rats, allowing for the transmission of signals while the subject moves freely.
Explore More
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Resources
Helpful Information
Get the details you need, explore our complete resource library on every slip ring series.