The short answer: pick Han B for high-current power and high pin counts in machine and plant engineering; pick Han A for compact control circuits where space is tight; pick Han C when you want the reliability of crimp contacts in a demanding, vibration-heavy environment. If none of the three fits, step up to Han-Modular or Han-Easy. The rest of this guide walks through the reasoning and gives you a framework you can reuse for every HARTING connector decision.
What the Han system is
HARTING's Han series is the de-facto standard for industrial rectangular connectors — the ones you see on machine tool cabinets, robotic cells, conveyor systems and process equipment. Instead of hard-wiring a machine section to its control cabinet, a Han connector carries power, signal, data and even pneumatic media through a rugged, pluggable interface. That makes commissioning faster, maintenance cleaner, and machine modules genuinely interchangeable.
Every Han connection has the same anatomy: an insert (the contact carrier that determines pin count, current rating and contact type), a hood and housing (the metal or plastic shell that protects the insert), and contacts (crimp, screw or cage-clamp terminations). When people say "Han A" or "Han B", they are usually referring to the insert series — and the insert is what drives 80% of the selection decision.
Han A vs Han B vs Han C: the three classics
*Current figures depend on the specific insert and contact size. Always confirm the exact rating against the HARTING datasheet for the part number you plan to buy — the family ranges are guidance, not a substitute for the specification.
Han A is the compact option. Use it for control circuits, sensor/actuator groups and small power where pin counts are moderate and space is limited. Its smaller footprint means more connectors fit in the same cabinet wall.
Han B is the workhorse. It carries the heaviest loads of the three — more pins, higher currents — which is why it dominates machine tools and plant engineering. If your connection moves real power (motors, drives, heaters), Han B is the default starting point.
Han C is the robustness play. Its defining feature is crimp-only termination: contacts are crimped onto the wire, not screwed. With no screw thread to loosen under vibration, Han C is the choice for moving machines, dynamic applications and anywhere maintenance access is difficult. If your machine shakes, Han C earns its keep.
A step-by-step selection framework
Rather than memorizing catalogue numbers, run your application through these five questions:
What does the connection carry? Power, signal, data or a mix? Pure control → Han A or Han C with signal inserts. Real power → Han B. Mixed media → Han-Modular.
How much current per contact? Under roughly 16 A, most of the standard inserts cope easily. Above that, you are in Han B territory — size the contact cross-section and confirm the insert's current rating.
How many contacts? Count every conductor the connection must carry today — then add 10–20% spare pins. Spare pins are nearly free now and very expensive later. High counts push you to Han B.
What environment? Dry cabinet interior → IP20 inserts may suffice. Dust, splash, wash-down or outdoors → IP65/IP67 with the right hood, housing and sealing. Vibration → prefer crimp (Han C or Han B with crimp contacts).
How will it be terminated? Your shop's wiring practice matters. If you already crimp everything, Han C or Han B with crimp contacts avoids introducing screw-termination training. If field technicians prefer screw terminations, Han A/B screw versions are friendlier.
Answer these five and you will land on a family in under five minutes. The remaining task — exact part number — is then a datasheet lookup with a clear target.
When to step up: Han-Easy and Han-Modular
The three classics cover most jobs, but two newer families are worth knowing because they keep you from over-sizing a classic insert.
Han-Easy delivers the compactness of Han A-class housing with current capacity up to 200 A in the right configurations — the modern answer when you need serious power in a small footprint.
Han-Modular lets you combine power, signal, data, Ethernet and pneumatic modules inside one connector. When a single machine module needs three different media types, Han-Modular replaces what would otherwise be three separate connectors.
Rule of thumb: if your connection is one medium, stay in A/B/C. If it is two or more media, evaluate Han-Modular before you give up on the idea of a single plug.
Hoods, housings and IP ratings: the part everyone forgets
The insert sets the electrical spec; the hood and housing set the environmental spec. A Han B insert is not "IP65" on its own — the protection class comes from the shell plus seals and cable glands you put around it. Three things to get right:
Hood vs housing orientation: hoods mount on the cable side (bulkhead cable entry), housings mount on the panel or device side. Get the mating side right before ordering.
Seal and gland selection: IP ratings collapse if the cable entry is unsealed. Choose the gland to match your cable diameter, not just the connector.
Metal vs plastic shells: metal for high mechanical load, EMC shielding and heavy-duty plant; plastic where weight and cost matter and shock is low.
Four mistakes that come back to bite
Buying pin count for today, not tomorrow. Adding spare pins later means re-plumbing the whole cabinet. Over-specify modestly at the start.
Treating the family range as the insert rating. "Han B supports up to 100 A" is not the same as "this Han B insert supports 100 A." The insert and contact size define the real number.
Ignoring termination preference on site. Specifying crimp-only when the maintenance team only carries screw tools guarantees field frustration — or worse, improvised wiring.
Forgetting the gland when chasing an IP class. A sealed housing with an unsealed cable entry is a rain barrel waiting to happen.
FAQ
Can I mix Han B inserts and Han C inserts in the same hood?
Not within one insert slot — the insert series and the hood/housing size must match. If you want a hybrid connection, Han-Modular is the platform designed for mixing.
What is the difference between Han A and Han B, in one sentence?
Han A is the compact control-grade option; Han B is the larger heavy-duty option for higher pin counts and currents in machine and plant engineering.
Is Han C always better for vibration?
Crimp termination is generally more vibration-resistant than screw termination because there is no thread to loosen. In severe vibration environments, Han C or crimp-terminated Han B inserts are the safer choice — but confirm the specific insert's mechanical test data.
Does a Han connector come with an IP rating out of the box?
No. The IP rating is achieved by the complete assembly: insert + hood/housing + seals + cable glands. Specify the whole assembly, not just the insert.
QINUO supplies HARTING Han series inserts, hoods and housings with short lead times — browse the HARTING range, see the full product catalogue, or check the connector glossary for terminology.
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