Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
SP16M2N Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 16-18AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
82913605A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 12AWG CRIMP SILVER	59
10-730402-123 Amphenol Industrial	CONTACT SOCKET 12AWG CRIMP TIN	125
RCW5016K Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	TRIMTRIO CON 20 SKT PCB	35
RP17-PC-212 Hirose	CONTACT PIN 18-22AWG CRIMP SLVR	0
M39029/32-259 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT SOCKET 20-24AWG CRIMP	10377
SA3179/1 Bulgin	CONTACT SOCKET 24-28AWG 1=10PC	454
MP6ARS8S Tuchel / Amphenol	PIN CONTACT WITH RADSOK TECHNOLO	98
RM24W3K Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 24-26AWG CRIMP GOLD	296
09156006222 HARTING	CONTACT SOCKET 2MM CRIMP GOLD	333
M39029/18-177 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT PIN 22AWG CRIMP GOLD	7796
09151006203 HARTING	CONTACT SOCKET 16-19AWG 1MM CRMP	7
SP24M2N Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 24-26AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
ZN01 015 0047 2 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 18AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
M39029/57-358 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT SOCKET 16-20AWG CRIMP	8120
SP20M2G10 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 20-22AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
EGG.2B.655.ZZM REDEL / LEMO	CONTACT SOCKET 22-26AWG CRIMP	388
RC20W3K Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 20-22AWG CRIMP	1296
M39029/107-620 TE Connectivity DEUTSCH Connectors	CONTACT PIN 22-28AWG CRIMP GOLD	23987
SS16M2F Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT SOCKET 16-18AWG SZ16	2942

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).