That's not a plug... THIS is a plug! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 04:46:30 pm
content: http://boingboing.net/2014/12/15/giant-underwater-plug.html11kv @ 400amps. 990kg, 0.8m wide....

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 05:30:06 pm
content: That is impressive....... Would not like to try connecting it in a wetsuit though, it looks like it is a strictly crane use only item.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 05:52:12 pm
content: Looks like it may be hydraulically actuated?Impressive "plug" though.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:06:45 pm
content: New model of the UK mains plug? And you thought it was bad stepping on them before! Now wait till you drop one on your foot.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:07:58 pm
content: Please don't tell about this to PhotonicInductoin

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:17:05 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 15, 2014, 04:46:30 pmEach half!Looks like the two connector halves drop into a sliding sled arrangement for alignment while mating.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:20:16 pm
content: Telling that it has disappeared off their website though, guess no one really wanted/needed this (at least not at the cost they could deliver).

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:25:24 pm
content: Hmm... I guess it could come in handy one day, it's always worth having a few unusual connectors in the back of the cupboard. So, what's the Farnell or RS part number for this?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 06:34:29 pm
content: Well the University of Hawaii is using a fibre connector that will wet mate both fibre and power at the bottom of the ocean. These must be made by the same company. Interesting to have gigabit fibre to a station sitting at the bottom of the ocean.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 07:18:18 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 15, 2014, 06:34:29 pmIf there is one place to hide a porn, warez, and pirated media server, nothing beats a gigabit connection to a SAN RAID at the bottom of the ocean

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 07:29:36 pm
content: Yes, but imagine trying to seal a server to 500 atmospheres of pressure.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 08:51:07 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 15, 2014, 07:29:36 pmI can only imagine using remote controlled Colossal Squids with frikkin' laser beams to do that stuff down in the murky depths. Now I've got an automatic Vostok Amphibia divers watch that is good to 300 metres, but I am sure I would be dead before I ever managed that - but hey, at least my classic soviet watch will survive the bends.

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 09:07:33 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on December 15, 2014, 08:51:07 pmHm, that's within SCUBA range, if you're willing to compete with Guiness records.Even freedivers, where there are no danger of bends, can reached below 200 meters.So, don't be so sure.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 09:08:48 pm
content: charger plug for next generation electric vehicle.

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 09:11:26 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 15, 2014, 06:34:29 pmActually several companies make such connectors. They are mated by ROV's, and get used in the oil and gas industry. The cutting edge at the moment is the Downhole Wetmate fibre optic connector, which will be mated by 'stabbing' on the end of a mile or so of steel tube, in a mud filled subsea oil well... We aren'tquitethere yet, though there have been a few demonstrators. The aim is generally to connect to optical fibre sensors, where the well conditions are too hot for electronics to survive.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 09:30:24 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 15, 2014, 07:29:36 pmUse SSDs and fill with oil.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 11:15:54 pm
content: Quote from: Artlav on December 15, 2014, 09:07:33 pmI'm utterly amazed at some of those freedivers. I mean, I can go into a panic attack after dunking my head in the few inches of water in my bath.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2014, 11:56:33 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 15, 2014, 09:30:24 pmwon't be that easythe ICs got cavities in their packages... that's definitely not good at 500 atmospheres

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:17:47 am
content: Imagine the piezo voltage a X7R capacitor will generate at that pressure. Let alone that most electrolytics will simply collapse. Funny enough they often use an incandescent lamp running in water there for lighting, as they can simply use a thicker glass envelope and a thicker seal for the lamp, and it will survive. Just do not turn on in air.