Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
121347-0010 VEAM	CON GSS SKT .75-1.5 INSSUP 5K	11
031-8556-145 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 14-16AWG CRIMP	5687
031-0554-161 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 16-20AWG CRIMP	5402
27915-38T9 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 10AWG CRIMP SLVR	182
031-9750-000 VEAM	MKJ CON SKT CRIMP SZ23	956
APK-SA16A07-002-B (SINGLE) VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP TIN	0
27906T128 VEAM	CIRCULAR	0
031-1295-001 VEAM	CON VE SKT #4-4 MCHND	69
27904-T9 VEAM	CIRCULAR	0
27961-T9 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 16-18AWG CRIMP	27
030-8588-006 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 12-14AWG CRIMP GOLD	785
99429S-40 VEAM	IR LABEL GRH 40A-5S 100A PIN	0
APKSA16A07002C VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP TIN	0
CB16-20P VEAM	CONTACT PIN 20-22AWG CRIMP SLVR	3189
121348-0020 VEAM	CON GSS PIN .5-1.0 ISNSUP	31
031-8520-000 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 4AWG CRIMP SILVER	0
51511-12-20T12 VEAM	VB CON 12 SKT CRIMP 14-16	285
27964-26T9 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 12-14AWG CRIMP	1463
031-8556-130 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 22-26AWG CRIMP	1531
27937SCL90-4T9 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP SLVR	20

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).