Harting: Han HPR Connector Housings for Australian Mining Applications
The Australian mining industry places extreme demands on electrical infrastructure, with iron ore dust, coal fines, moisture, vibration, and mechanical shock all contributing to premature connector failure. Maintaining reliable electrical connections in these conditions is critical to minimising downtime and ensuring consistent operational performance.
For these applications, pairing the Han-Modular connector system with Han High Performance Rugged (HPR) metal housings provides a robust, field-proven solution designed specifically for high-vibration and high-contamination environments.
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The Han HPR series of metal housings is available in die-cast aluminium and corrosion-resistant stainless steel variants, both with optional impact-resistant powder coating for additional durability in harsh mining conditions.
Unlike standard Han housings, the HPR range replaces traditional snap levers with M6 or M8 heavy-duty screw-locking mechanisms. This design significantly reduces the risk of accidental disconnection in high-vibration applications by maintaining consistent clamping force under mechanical stress.
The HPR series is engineered for extreme environmental protection, offering IP68 and IP69K ratings. An integrated sealing system prevents dust ingress and moisture penetration at critical connection interfaces, ensuring reliable performance in washdown areas and exposed mining installations.
Han HPR Modularity Connection Options
The Han HPR series supports the full Han-Modular connector range, enabling multiple connection types to be integrated into a single housing. This allows for combined power, data, signal, and pneumatic connections in a single compact interface.
Typical configurations include:
- Power connections from 16A up to 200A
- CAT 6A / 10GbE industrial data
- Low-voltage control and signal wiring
- Compressed air and pneumatic lines
This modular approach reduces installation complexity, minimises panel space, and simplifies maintenance in mining and heavy industrial applications. For more detail, see our guide to Han-Modular connector configurations.
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Best Termination Methods for High-Vibration Applications
While the HPR housing provides environmental and mechanical protection, the selection of termination method is critical to long-term performance in high-vibration environments.
The following options are best suited to mining applications:
The Standard Crimp Termination
Crimp termination forms a gas-tight cold weld between the conductor and contact, creating a solid, vibration-resistant connection. It remains the preferred method for high-reliability applications, as it is highly resistant to mechanical fatigue. This method requires a dedicated crimping tool.Axial Screw Termination
Axial screw termination uses a conical screw driven into the conductor, forcing strands outward against the contact wall. Compared to traditional radial screw terminals, this design avoids strand damage and maintains strong, consistent contact under vibration. It offers near-crimp performance with the advantage of tool-free or simplified installation.Cage-Clamp / Spring-Cage Termination
Cage-clamp termination uses a spring mechanism to maintain constant pressure on the conductor. This allows the connection to automatically compensate for thermal expansion and mechanical movement, making it well suited to environments with continuous vibration and temperature variation.
Learn more about Harting Termination methods in this article here.
Han HPR Certifications
The Han HPR series is tested against a range of international standards to ensure reliable operation in harsh industrial and mining environments.
Environmental protection includes IP68 and IP69K ratings, enabling operation in submerged conditions and resistance to high-pressure washdown (upwards of 8000 kPa / 80 bar at temperatures up to 80°C).
For vibration and mechanical performance, the HPR series is certified to IEC 61737 / DIN EN 61373 (Category 1, Class B and Category 2), withstanding shock loads from 5g to 30g. Additional testing to ISO 16750-3 ensures reliability under continuous vibration from road and mobile equipment.
Corrosion resistance and material durability are verified through salt spray testing (IEC 60068-2-11) and UV resistance testing (ISO 4892-2), ensuring the long-term performance of seals and coatings in outdoor mining environments.
Thermal performance is assessed in accordance with IEC 60512-5-2, with the HPR series rated for combined ambient and operating temperatures up to 125°C.
Han-Modular inserts used within the HPR range are manufactured from materials compliant with UL 94 V-0, providing self-extinguishing properties that reduce the risk of fire propagation.
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If you are designing equipment for mining or heavy industrial environments, the Harting Han HPR housing range provides a reliable solution for maintaining secure electrical connections under extreme dust, moisture, vibration, and thermal conditions.
If you have any questions about integrating the Han HPR series into your mining design application, speak with the ADM team today! Send any questions via our contact page here or talk to the team directly on 1300 236 467.
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