A: A bulkhead is a pass-through connector mounted on the faceplate of a GracePort. It allows direct connection from the outside of the enclosure to a matching connector inside, providing a sealed and secure interface.
A cable option consists of a connector mounted on the GracePort faceplate, with a fixed-length cable (typically 10 feet) attached to the back side. This cable extends into the enclosure and is designed to be directly plugged into a device, such as a PLC, VFD, HMI, or computer.
Bulkheads and cables are available for various connector types, including USB, Ethernet (RJ45), DB9 serial, and more. Multiple gender configurations are offered to match your system requirements. For example, DB9 bulkheads are available in:
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Female/Female (F/F)
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Female/Male (F/M)
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Male/Female (M/F)
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Male/Male (M/M)
When using a bulkhead, a user connects an external cable to the front of the bulkhead (outside the enclosure), and a second internal cable with the opposite gender connects from the back of the bulkhead to the internal device.
This modular approach allows flexibility in cable length and connector orientation, especially useful for programming, diagnostics, or maintenance access without opening the enclosure.