Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
JN1-22-20P-R-10000 JAE Electronics	CONTACT PIN 20-21AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
SA3622/S Bulgin	CONTACT SOCKET 22-26AWG 1=10PC	42
SP14M2T Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 14-16AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
VN0101500472 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 18AWG CRIMP	315
M39029/1-101 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT PIN 16-20AWG CRIMP GOLD	20262
RMMX110-1D28 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	MIN COAX OUTER BODY,MALE	40
1605762 Phoenix Contact	CONTACT SOCKET 8-10AWG CRIMP	26
MP-108500 Tuchel / Amphenol	MP SERIES SKT CRIMP SIZE 18	0
EGG.1B.655.ZZM REDEL / LEMO	CONTACT SOCKET 22-26AWG CRIMP	0
M39029/28-211 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT PIN SZ 12 CRIMP GOLD	613
M39029/106-615 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT SOCKET 20-24AWG CRIMP	7189
1621581 Phoenix Contact	CONTACT PIN SZ 2.0MM CRIMP GOLD	0
RP13A-SC-222 Hirose	CONTACT SOCKET 24-28AWG CRIMP	0
SA3350 Bulgin	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG 1=10PC	30
2560-212-2031 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG SZ20 CRIMP	2306
RM-PC-112 Hirose	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG CRIMP SLVR	336
5-1437720-4 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	CONTACT PIN CRIMP	477
SC000014 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT SOCKET 14-18AWG CRIMP	7202600
CM16SS10MQ Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 16AWG SLDR CUP	274
SA3149 Bulgin	CONTACT SOCKET 20-24AWG 1=10PC	49

Circular Connectors - Contacts

1. Overview

Circular connectors - contacts are electro-mechanical components designed to establish electrical connections between circuits in a circular interface configuration. These contacts serve as critical conduits for power, signal, or data transmission in complex systems. Their importance spans across industries requiring reliable connectivity in harsh environments, including aerospace, industrial automation, and medical devices. Modern advancements demand miniaturization, higher bandwidth, and improved durability in these components.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Power Contacts	High current capacity (up to 100A), thermal resistance	Industrial machinery, EV charging stations
Signal Contacts	Low noise, impedance control	Telecom equipment, control systems
Coaxial Contacts	50/75 impedance, EMI shielding	Radar systems, test equipment
Fiber Optic Contacts	Low insertion loss, multi-channel transmission	High-speed data networks, avionics
Hybrid Contacts	Combined power/signal/data in single interface	Autonomous vehicle sensors, robotics

3. Structure & Composition

Typical construction includes:

Contact pins/sockets: Copper alloys (phosphor bronze, beryllium copper) with plating (gold, silver, tin)
Insulation housing: Thermoplastic (LCP, PBT) or thermoset materials
Shell: Aluminum, stainless steel, or composite materials
Contact retention system: Spring-loaded mechanisms for vibration resistance
Environmental seals: Elastomer gaskets for IP67+ protection

Modular designs allow mixed contact configurations with polarization keys to prevent mis-mating.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Typical Range	Importance
Current Rating	1-100A	Determines power transmission capability
Voltage Rating	50-1500V	Safety and insulation performance
Contact Resistance	1-15m	Signal integrity and power efficiency
Insulation Resistance	100M -10G	EI/EMC compliance
Temperature Range	-65 C to +200 C	Environmental durability
Mating Cycles	500-10,000	Service life and reliability

5. Application Fields

Aerospace: Flight control systems, in-flight entertainment
Industrial Automation: Robotics, CNC machines
Medical Equipment: MRI scanners, patient monitoring systems
Transportation: Rail signaling, automotive sensors
Defense: Radar systems, secure communications

Case Study: In wind turbines, circular connectors handle pitch control signals with IP68 protection against dust/moisture.

6. Leading Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Amphenol	Series 800 Circular	High-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps
TE Connectivity	DEUTSCH DT Series	Extreme temperature resistance (-65 C to +200 C)
Molex	Circular MIL-DTL-38999	Shock/vibration rated for military vehicles
Delphi	Mini-Circular Connector	Compact design for automotive sensor networks

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Current/voltage requirements vs. contact material properties
Environmental protection level (IP rating)
Mating/unmating force requirements
Signal integrity needs (frequency, crosstalk)
Compliance with standards (MIL-DTL-38999, IEC 61076)
Cost vs. lifecycle trade-offs

Recommendation: Aerospace applications should prioritize weight reduction with composite shells, while industrial uses need corrosion-resistant plating.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Micro-miniaturization for IoT device integration
High-speed contacts supporting 40+ Gbps data rates
Smart connectors with integrated sensors
Alternative plating materials (nanocoatings) for RoHS compliance
Modular hybrid designs combining power/optical contacts

Market growth driven by 5G infrastructure and electric vehicle adoption, projected CAGR of 6.8% (2023-2030).