Phillips Industries introduced the EC47 trailer connector on Tuesday.
The EC47 is named for it's capabilities, the company says, which include two Ethernet connectors, two CAN networks, four auxiliary connections and a seven-way J560 power connection. It is cross-compatible and expands tractor-trailer communication, Phillips says, allowing fleets to upgrade their systems when they are ready.
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The EC47 does not require adapters and aligns with the recommendations of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Future Truck and Trailer Interface Task Force. It was developed in partnership with O'Neil Components. It was inspired by the original O'Neil connector, made popular in logging for its supplementary auxiliary pins and SAE J560 adaptability.
Phillips says the new connector and socket housings are fully compatible with J560 components. The design considers a fleet's ability to upgrade with new technology without disrupting daily operations and using their regular replacement cycles, the company says.
The unit's CAN-capable connection allows for future expandability with a secondary network designed to work with ISO 11992 or SAE J1939 CAN protocol. These are used on many new brake control modules to coordinate ABS and roll stability events between truck and trailer, adding brake-related data sharing and providing reduced stopping distances.
The two Ethernet connections are 1000BASE-T1 capable and can support gigabyte per second speeds for multiple video feeds and camera viewing. Four additional auxiliary pins can accommodate added power and functionality between the tractor and trailer, eliminating the ABS voltage drop concerns on long road trains.
