KEC News and Blog

KEC shows EMC connector products and launches new EMC test simulation system on Stand S5-250 at DSEi 2011

KEC, the Aldermaston-based design and manufacturing company that specialises in EMC interconnect components and systems, is demonstrating a comprehensive range of connector backshells, bulkhead fittings and glands, EMC conduit products and cable harness assemblies on Stand S5-250 at DSEi 2011.  KEC EMC products offer the highest levels of protection up to and including TEMPEST.

The company will also introduce an EMC interconnect computer test simulation system that will save time and cost in designing and manufacturing EMC wiring harnesses and assemblies.

The system, designed in conjunction with the University of Reading on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, will enable KEC to design and build EMC assemblies and cable harnesses and simulate the EMC characteristics of these systems.  This will enable overall pieces of equipment needing EMC interconnection assemblies and harnesses to be designed ‘right first time’ and save expensive redesigning and retesting prior to certification.

KEC uses EMC interconnect experience to design purpose-built test box

KEC has again demonstrated its versatility in EMC interconnect assembly by developing a purpose-built EMC test box for Alstom Grid.

The box, designated the KA0916, plugs into Alstom Grid VBE cabinets that are used as part of the company’s high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission systems.  The test box is used as part of the annual maintenance checks allowing operators to configure data back into the VBE cubicles, check for faults and ensure all functions, such as trip settings, are working correctly.

The KEC design uses a standard DGA25M30 backshell from the KEC ‘Inotec’ range.  This is drilled to receive four toggle switches and a push switch that are internally wired to a high density ‘D’ type connector to interface with the VBE cabinet.  Blanking plugs are fitted in the unused open cable entry points to ensure high levels of EMC throughout the system.  The prototype was evaluated, tested and approved by Alstom Grid and the assembly is now in full production.

“KEC has supplied cable harness assemblies to Alstom Grid for a number of years and used its many years of knowledge and experiences in EMC interconnect to design this test box that helps us to maximise the reliability of our HVDC distribution systems.  The project was completed on time and within budget,” said Richard Reynolds of Alstom Grid UK.

David Collett appointment strengthens KEC sales team

The sales team of KEC, the Aldermaston-based EMC interconnect specialist, has been strengthened with the appointment of David Collett as customer development engineer.

Having worked for many years at Townsend Coates as a regional sales manager and more recently in sales at PEI Genesis, David Collett is well known in the connector industry and has a great deal of specialist knowledge in the military connector market.

He will be based at his home in Uckfield, East Sussex and will be involved in major account management and new business development for the full range of EMC backshells, interconnect systems and cable harness assemblies supplied by KEC.

EMC products and solutions on Stand C5-153 at DVD

KEC, the Aldermaston-based design and manufacturing company that specialises in EMC interconnect components and systems, is demonstrating a comprehensive range of EMC services and products on Stand C5-153 at DVD 2010 in a display that includes two new products on show for the first time.

In addition to a wide range of EMC interconnect components and systems that include screened backshells, bulkhead glands, panel fittings, EMC conduit products and cable harness assemblies, KEC will display a new EMC version of a RJ45 splitter and a completely new four way coaxial, RF splitter box that is fully screened and allows four BNC 75 connectors to be fed into a single RJ45 connector.

These new products were commissioned by Adax Europe, the subsidiary of Adax Inc, the USA telecoms specialist, and allowed KEC to use its extensive EMC experience gained in the defence and aerospace markets to provide a highly effective solution in the extremely competitive telecoms market.  The KEC products are smaller, lighter and have a higher degree of screening than previous versions.

Knowledge Transfer Partnership
Also available on the stand will be information on the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme on which KEC is working with Reading University to provide an EMC test solution for interconnect components and assemblies using computer simulation techniques.

This will, when completed, drastically reduce the time and cost of EMC interconnect system testing and ensure systems are designed and built ‘right first time’.  The two year programme is now approaching its half way point and software has been evaluated and selected and harness assemblies are being tested to provide benchmarks for the simulated results.  Detailed information on the programme and examples of the test simulation programme will be available on the stand.

About KEC
KEC was formed in 1979 and has long been at the forefront of EMC interconnect technology.  The company provides standard and bespoke products with electrical screening up to and including TEMPEST levels and a high degree of environmental protection to the defence, aerospace and other technically demanding industries.  Solid modelling techniques and specialised software are used to provide effective design solutions of components and cable harness assemblies.

The company is accredited with ISO9001:2008, EN9100P and ISO14001:2004 approvals and is a member of the Aerospace Defence Security (A|D|S).  KEC also holds supplier approvals from major companies including BAE, Lockheed Martin UK-INSYS, Rolls-Royce, the Cobham group and Ultra. 

Cheryl Watson appointed managing director at KEC

Cheryl Watson takes over the position of managing director at KEC, the Aldermaston-based EMC specialist, on April 17th when founding managing director, David Dyson, becomes chairman. 

Since joining Kern Electrical Components in 1980 Cheryl Watson has served in a number of capacities including PA, sales and office manager.  She was appointed as administration director when KEC became a totally British owned, independent company in 1991.

David Dyson said of his successor: “Cheryl has long experience in all aspects of KEC business and over the past few years we have worked together on expanding the scope of the company from an EMC component manufacturer to one that is involved in the design and implementation of total EMC interconnect solutions.”

Cheryl Watson said of her appointment: “I am looking forward to the new challenge.  I have been closely involved in recent projects such as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between KEC and the University of Reading that will establish at KEC an EMC interconnect design and test facility based on computer simulated EMC test techniques.  By following these and similar initiatives we plan to strengthen our position as a total EMC interconnect solution company.”

KEC sets up Knowledge Transfer Partnership with University of Reading

KEC is working with the University of Reading on a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme that has the aim to establish a flexible EMC interconnect design, assembly and test production facility based on computer simulated EMC test techniques.

The project, which started in June 2009 and is scheduled over two years, will enable KEC to design and build EMC assemblies and cable harnesses while simulating the EMC characteristics of those systems. This will enable equipment that requires EMC interconnection to be designed ‘right-first-time’ and save expensive redesign and re-test prior to certification.

The KTP Partnership receives financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme (KTP). KTP aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations.

Are you interested?
Several KEC customers have already expressed interest in the scheme and we would welcome feed-back from others as to their level of interest.

It would be of great help if you email us answering the following questions:

Do you have general interest in the development of this facility?
YES/NO

Would you possibly use such a facility once developed?
YES/NO

In addition, you may know colleagues that might be interested in this article. In which case we would appreciate it if you could either forward this article or let us know their details and we will contact them direct.

We look forward to hearing from you and many thanks

David Dyson

Managing Director

KEC wins gold award for second year running.

Aldermaston-based manufacturer of EMC backshells, bulkhead glands and panel fittings, has, for the second year running, won the gold award for 2008 under the Lockheed Martin UK- INSYS Preferred Supplier Programme in recognition of exceptional supplier performance. KEC is one of only five businesses in the UK to receive the Gold award this year and was the only one to win gold in 2007. The award was presented by Paul Bird, supply chain director at Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS, at a ceremony at Duxford Imperial War Museum on Monday 30th March 2009.

The Preferred Supplier Programme was set up by Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS at the beginning of 2007 and sets demanding performance criteria in terms of on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness and quality management. The gold award requires on-time delivery and quality performance of 99 per cent, a responsiveness rating of 11/12 and a quality management system score of at least 90 per cent.

KEC has supplied Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS with specially designed EMC backshells used with military-standard circular connectors for over 15 years and David Dyson, KEC managing director said: “Having confirmed our status as a ‘preferred supplier’ we are looking to extend our business activities with Lockheed Martin UK-INSYS in the areas of EMC interconnect components and assemblies.”

KEC designs and manufactures EMC interconnect systems and components including shielded and screened backshells, bulkhead glands, panel fittings, conduit, conduit accessories and cable harness assemblies. KEC products provide electrical screening up to and including TEMPEST levels and environmental protection. They are widely used in the defence, aerospace and other technically demanding industries.

KEC and St Cross partnership creates top quality and cost-effective interconnect service

KEC, the Aldermaston-based EMC specialist, and Southampton-based cable assembly company, St Cross Electronics, have joined forces to form a partnership that combines their relative and complementary strengths in the field of interconnect systems to create a high quality, full-build capability for all types of connector assemblies and cable harnesses. 

Experts in the field of EMC interconnect, KEC has over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of connector backshells, bulkhead/panel fittings, interconnect assemblies and conduit systems, while St Cross Electronics has 26 years of experience in the assembly of cable and wiring harnesses, box kitting and cabinet wiring. David Dyson, managing director of KEC, said: “Utilising the skills and resources of either or both companies on an ‘as required’ basis creates a highly-skilled, experienced, flexible, responsive and cost-effective service.”  Dax Ward, managing director of St Cross added: “With a combined work area of 12,500 square feet and a staff of over 35, our partnership has the skills to design and manufacture high quality, sophisticated interconnect systems and the resources to meet high volume requirements.”

High quality has always been a key tenet for both companies with KEC holding ISO 9001:2000, EN9100P and ISO 140001 accreditations and St Cross ISO 9001:2000, OHSAS 180001 and ISO 140001:2004.  Both companies are approved suppliers to many major companies across a wide spectrum of industries.

About KEC
KEC supplies EMC interconnect products to the defence, aerospace, railroad, power distribution and other industries.  KEC has recently enhanced its CAD system with the introduction of a ‘Solid Works’ solid modelling facility and a bespoke suite of cable harness design software. This provides direct electronic interface with customers and allows complete project management from concept design through to final manufacture and test.

About St Cross
Formed in 1983, St Cross is one of Europe’s leading cable assembly and cable harness manufacturers and has developed extensive skills covering all aspects of interconnection techniques while the partnership with KEC brings specific skills in EMC termination.  A tried and tested MRP II system and sophisticated ‘CIRRUS’ testing systems are used to ensure quality and cost effective assemblies are supplied at the right price and on time.

KEC wins gold under Lockheed Martin UK-INSYS Preferred Supplier Programme!

KEC, the Aldermaston-based manufacturer of EMC interconnect products, is the sole gold award winner under the Lockheed Martin UK-INSYS Preferred Supplier Programme for 2007.

The Preferred Supplier Programme was set up by Lockheed Martin UK-INSYS at the beginning of 2007 and sets demanding performance criteria in terms of on-time delivery and quality management performance.

The award was presented by managing director Stephen Ball and Paul Bird, supply chain director, at Bletchley Park in February 2008.

About KEC

KEC designs and manufactures a range of standard EMC (electro magnetic compatibility) backshells, bulkhead glands, panel fittings and conduit systems.

We also design and supply wiring and cable harness assemblies which, together with our box kitting service, supports this comprehensive component range. If our standard range does not suit your precise requirements, special bespoke designs can be supplied.

In addition to our extensive product range, we have gained a wealth of experience over the years and use this to help overcome your EMC challenges.

KEC has been at the forefront of EMC interconnect technology since its inception in 1979. Its headquarters are in Aldermaston, Berkshire.

Visit our website for further information.