Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
031-8738-006 VEAM	CAR CON 16 SKT 12/14 F80 A176	0
031-1299-004 VEAM	CON VE SKT #8-8 MCHND SILVER	0
031-8554-010 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 22-26AWG CRIMP	0
031-8521-025 VEAM	CAB CON 0 SKT 2 F80 A152	0
031-8736-006 VEAM	CAR CON 8 SKT #18 F80 A176	0
430-8613-000 VEAM	CAR CON 16 PIN 16/18 F80 A36	0
038590-0000 VEAM	CA38590 CONTACT ASSY KIT	0
330-0353-016 VEAM	ER CON 16 PIN F80 CHROMEL	0
030-8581-031 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 4AWG CRIMP SILVER	0
031-3116-005 VEAM	CV CON 8 SKT A106	0
27963-T10 VEAM	IR CON 16 SKT CRIMP HEAVY GOL	0
110238-0409 VEAM	CON SS PIN INSSUP GLD 5KRL	1
031-0561-081 VEAM	ER CON 8 SKT F80 ALUMEL	0
192900-0635 VEAM	TRI CON SOD SKT GLD	0
430-8611-006 VEAM	CAR CON 16 PIN 20/26 F80 A176	0
031-8531-012 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 2AWG CRIMP SILVER	0
031-0560-160 VEAM	ER CON 16 SKT F80 (OLD STYLE)	0
430-8614-006 VEAM	CAR CON 16 PIN 14-16 A176	0
031-8736-000 VEAM	CAR CON 8 SKT #18 F80 A36	0
030-3197-012 VEAM	CV 12 CON PIN CHROMEL	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).