MTR 100: SEA CON

Posted by Irina Tabakina

1700 Gillespie Way
El Cajon, CA 92020,
T: + 1 (619) 562-7071
E: [email protected]

The Case: SEA CON's 46 year journey has taken yet another significantly positive turn; not only has SEA CON (europe) Ltd. been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International trade, but the SEA CON Group has been acquired by TE Connectivity (TE); joining their world-class portfolio which includes Rochester Wire & Cable, DEUTSCH connectors as well as TE’s other connectivity products.

The Company
The SEA CON Group has always prided itself on being customer centric from the seeds of the business to the current day.  Seeking new innovations to match the needs of the markets it services has been at the forefront of the mission.  The vision is simply to offer customers leading underwater connection system solutions across every major industry, application and region. SEA CON continues to support and develop its use of fiber optics in the oil and gas industry as well as other technologies and it continues to expand the application of its entire range in renewable energy, defense and other vital global areas.

The Tech
For many years SEA CON has adapted existing products to meet the changing needs of the market. 
Its MSS (Metal Shell Series) has offered high contact density and a variety of power and signal configurations to meet customers underwater power and data requirements.  Adapted from this series, its API (American Petroleum Institute) connector range complies with API specifications 16D (Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment and Control Systems for Diverter Equipment) and 17E (Specification for Subsea Umbilicals).
As each year passes, the needs of the clients increase. In recent years it hase seen a significant demand for connectors that can operate in even harsher, and in many cases, hazardous environments.
Many of these applications also require the facility for quick, but safe disconnect of connectors. SEA CON’s solution to this need is the development of its latest range of robust Exd connectors due to be released soon.
The EX-MATE is based around SEA CON (europe)’s existing and successful SEA-MATE connector range and can be wet-mated in depths of up to 50m in addition to its suitability for use in explosive environments.  This new series will be available in four shell sizes (G, K, L, M) with between 2 & 37 contact configurations, however, like the SEA-MATE range, this series has interchangeable inserts so can be adapted to a number of pin configurations. 
In addition, the EX-MATE incorporates an Atex approved glanding system for the cable which is encapsulated within the over mold, making it suitable for a number of applications including topside FPSO, drilling vessels or other potentially explosive environments.  This series has undergone testing at an independent testing house and has achieved Atex certification to II 2G Ex d IIB T6 amb -40°C to +55°C.
In addition to its new product developments, SEA CON also continues to expand its facilities.  A prime example of this is the opening of a Encapsulating & Molding shop in the West Houston area to better serve the expanding market and develop even better levels of support to the Gulf Coast region as well as internationally.  
Also, three of SEA CON’s manufacturing facilities; SEA CON in El Cajon, CA, the Advanced Products division in Bellville, TX and SEACON (europe) in the UK have all recently expanded their manufacturing facilities and equipment to support SEA CON’s continued growth.


(As published in the July/Aug 2014 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/Magazine)

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