Southco N2 Compression Latch
Here’s a rough-and-tumble compression latch design that’s great for off-highway vehicles, other transportation applications, and industrial equipment subject to stress, strain, shock, and vibration. Its fold-down T-handle design, available with or without a recessed cup, might remind some users of the N4 compression latch, but it is important to note that this new N2 latch utilizes a different, more rugged “lift-and-turn” lever mechanism that tolerates higher loads. It is an ideal choice for heavier duty applications like engine covers, storage compartments, and access panels on large off-highway equipment that is subject to extreme shock or vibration. It also offers a more rugged solution for heavier duty industrial machinery.
Key Product Features and Benefits
- 6 mm (.24”) of pull-up compression provides a snug fit to dampen vibration, minimize noise
- Intuitive lift-and-turn action simplifies operation in repetitive use applications
- Substantial T-handle design provides ample grip, even for gloved hands in heavy-duty environments
- Folding handle minimizes clearance requirements, or fits in recessed cup
- Laboratory testing documents the strength and superiority of the latch under severe working conditions
- Solid stainless steel shaft satisfies heavier duty applications, with maximum working load ratings from 1000 N (225 lbs.) with Southco standard recommended pawls
- The threaded shaft offers 15 mm of grip adjustment, regardless of the pawl style used
- Easy to install design mounts in panel thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 mm (0.06” to 0.10”) thick
- Standard cup size N2 fits same panel prep as Southco N4 latch, so it is a simple drop in upgrade to N4 installations
Available Options
- Available in non-locking style or locking style with custom keycode and color for easy customization
- Available with or without recessed cup to hold folding T-handle below the surface level of the door
- Multiple straight and offset pawl styles (sold separately) can be mounted in forward or reverse positions and adjusted to satisfy a broad spectrum of grip ranges from 2.5 to 104 mm (0.10” to 4.09”)
- Also available under customer request a medium and a large cup style for heavier duty applications, as well as a M16 shaft option
With its solid stainless steel shaft, and the enhanced leverage of its lift-and-turn handle design, the N2 compression latch tolerates heavier duty use than previous N4 T-handle compression latch designs. This, plus the common panel prep requirements, makes it an ideal retrofit solution for increased load strength over earlier N4 designs. And for new applications, it provides a more durable option than competitive slam and compression latches that typically offer lower cost but also much less robust performance than the new N2 Compression Latch provides. With both locking and non-locking models available – with or without a recessed cup – these latches provide options for a wide variety of door and access panel applications across off-highway equipment, transportation, and industrial equipment environments. These standard N2 options are the first of a new family of products that include, apart from the standard cup size, a medium and a large one as well as a M16 shaft option for heavier duty applications. We have also developed a very flexible offering able to accommodate easily individual customer key-code and color requests.
