BIRNS Millennium 3O Connector Class A Press Release - 31 Dec 02

BIRNS has upgraded the pressure rating on the 3O size of its popular BIRNS Millennium connector range, to "Pressure Proof to 6,000 MSW", and has verified the new rating with 10-cycle hydrostatic pressure testing per NAVMAT P-9290. Thus, the BIRNS 3O receptacles (3O-OR, 3O-BR, and 3O-FR) are now rated as Class A to 6,000 meters (symbol: "WPA : 6km"). The BIRNS 3O is one of the most popular sizes of the highly successful BIRNS Millennium Connectors-- a high-density miniature metal shell underwater connector series designed for superior performance. The BIRNS Millennium series reliably transmits compressed, multiplexed data streams (and/or high-voltage power) in a space-saving format, with minimal signal noise or attenuation. Importantly, BIRNS Millennium connectors minimize inter-conductor interference that causes signal noise or "cross-talk" endemic to other connectors. BIRNS' Class A rating means that these connectors completely withstand the effects of open-face hydrostatic pressure, to the specified pressure or depth, without any measurable degradation in any mechanical or electrical properties. Although all BIRNS Millennium connectors are Class A rated, the upgrade of the 3O Class A rating to 6,000 MSW validates the basic design concepts incorporated throughout this series. This upgrade is timely because of today's increasing demand for high-quality deepwater operations. BIRNS Millennium connectors differ from other connectors presently available because BIRNS provides Class A protection as a standard feature, which does not need to be specified at the time of order. Further, the BIRNS Millennium series features removable, replaceable connector inserts, and its design provides superior electrical and mechanical characteristics. This product can be used by any user of underwater cabling, especially those with deep-submergence requirements. These users will benefit from the high data rates and superior signal-to-noise ratio available with the BIRNS Millennium connector. For example, users transmitting signals and/or high-voltage power through BIRNS connectors will find reduced system signal attenuation. "This connector series represents an important advance", says Eric Birns, Company President. "Other high-density connectors either do not withstand open-face pressure at all, or require that open-face pressure resistance be specified at the time of ordering. But now, deep-submergence users can get high-performance underwater connectors which they don't need to worry about." The 3O-13 successfully passed the 10-cycle test specified by Appendix C of NAVMAT P-9290, "System Certification Procedures and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems" to 10,000 PSI (equivalent to a depth of 6,800 meters),with no measurable degradation in any mechanical or electrical properties after the test. Testing was performed in the open-face mode (i.e. full ambient water pressure was freely in direct contact on the connector's insert face which, under normal conditions, would be in a dry, one-atmosphere environment), without any pressure-proof caps or back-potting. Cycle 10 was held at full pressure for 60 minutes; rate of pressure increase and decrease (dp/dt) was held constant at 3,000 PSI/min. Founded in 1954, BIRNS, Inc. of Oxnard, CA, is a leading manufacturer of high-performance lighting and connector systems for deep-ocean and nuclear use. In addition to lights, BIRNS manufactures connectors in six different ranges, including Aquamate wet-mateables and Millennium high-density deep-submergence styles.