This week's EYE ON NPI can handles whatever the weather throws at it -

with the Stewart IP67 Rated USB Type-A Cable Assemblies

(https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/s/stewart-connector/ip67-rated-usb-type-a-cable-assemblies).

I absolutely adore using common, off-the-shelf connectors and hardware -

like a Raspberry Pi or Arduino - for hardware designs. But, of course,

most hardware you buy is not weather-proofed by default because it's

expensive and restrictive. So instead, often times the final integration

step is where durability is added by the designers. That's where these

cables come in.

Instead of re-designing or re-building your existing cable connectors to

use specialized weatherproof contacts, here we are supporting the common USB type A cables that are used everywhere for connecting accessories to your single-board computer. Now you can tuck away the Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone you've got in any enclosure you fancy.

The Stewart IP67 cables come in a few different flavors, so you'll want

to mix and match the right kinds to get the ends and threading right.

For example, there's USB 2

(https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stewart-connector/67U2AC-006-K/14300409)

and USB 3

(https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stewart-connector/67U3AA-006-K/14300411),

USB Type A plug

(https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stewart-connector/67U2AD-006-K/14300402)

and Type A socket

(https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stewart-connector/67U2BD-006-K/14300407),

and you can get them with cut ends or connector ends.

These cables come with an environmental rating (e.g.

weather/waterproofing rating) so you know exactly what kind of use cases

they are safe for - otherwise known as an IP rating

(https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings) IP67 means that the connector, once

properly installed is completely dust-tight (that's the 6, maximum

rating possible) and protected against rain, jets of water, and even

temporary water immersion. That's the 7 part in IP67. It's not meant for

being dunked in water for extended periods of time - like in a pool or

aquarium - you'll need IP68 for that. Of course, the higher the rating

the more expensive the connectors. Compare the rating to every day

electronics which naturally have an IP rating of maybe IP30, with only

the most basic dust prevention and no water protection.

Check out all the Stewart IP67 USB cable assemblies

(https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/s/stewart-connector/ip67-rated-usb-type-a-cable-assemblies)

to make your own plug-and-play secure USB system with all off-the shelf

hardware - it'll make weatherproofing your design easy! And they're all

in stock right now at Digi-Key for immediate shipment

(https://www.digikey.com/short/7r5t1m7d) - order today and you'll be

ready to ruggedize by tomorrow morning.