Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
031-8646-001 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP SILVER	0
1170400000 Weidmuller	CONTACT PIN SZ 2.0MM CRIMP GOLD	175
CF16SC10RF Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 16-18AWG CRIMP	725
HN0101600111 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 20-26AWG CRIMP SLVR	0
601063-000 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	CONTACT PIN 16-20AWG SLDR CUP	0
CF10PC10RF Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 20-22AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
MP10A23SL Tuchel / Amphenol	3.6MM MALE CONTACT, GOLD FLASH,	2476
CM16PS10MQ Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 14AWG SLDR CUP GOLD	2350
0441021414S100101 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT SOCKET 14-16AWG CRIMP	0
CIRB12KSKF80P3 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	SIZE 12 SOCKET CONTACT	490
MS10A23S-25 Tuchel / Amphenol	3.6MM (1.5-2.5MM) FEMALE CONTACT	2465
929989-1 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	CONTACT SOCKET 17-20AWG CRIMP	5130
SP16M2G15 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 16-18AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
SP14M2G15 Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT PIN 14-16AWG SZ16 CRIMP	0
SS24W2T Tuchel / Amphenol	CONTACT SOCKET 24AWG SZ20 CRIMP	0
1605639 Phoenix Contact	CONTACT PIN SZ 2.0MM CRIMP GOLD	1474550
82911465NK Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 14AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
1-2314102-2 TE Connectivity AMP Connectors	CONTACT PIN 22AWG 1MM CRIMP GOLD	320
HR41A-SC-211 Hirose	CONTACT SOCKET 16-20AWG CRIMP	0
RC12Z43D28 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 12-14AWG CRIMP	0

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).