Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	51511-16-20T12 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 16AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
	VG95234P500 VEAM	CONTACT PIN SZ 0 CRIMP SILVER	0
	VG95234P15-002 VEAM	CAB CON 16 PIN 22/20 F80 A36	0
	330-0354-012 VEAM	ER CON 12 PIN F80 IRON	0
	330-0356-008 VEAM	ER CON 8 PIN F80 COPPER	0
	192991-0091 VEAM	TRI CON PIN 20 GLD MACH	0
	249-2195-001 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET SZ 8 CRIMP GOLD	0
	121668-0255 VEAM	APK-PA16A15-002-C (5000)	0
	031-8735-000 VEAM	CAR CON 16S SKT 20/22 F80 A36	0
	192990-0180 VEAM	TRI CON PIN 16 GLD MACH NOINS	0
	031-8920-002 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP GOLD	0
	APKSA16A15002C VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET CRIMP TIN	0
	192900-0006 VEAM	TRI CON SKT 14-16 TIN HC ST/RL	0
	030-8614-006 VEAM	CAB CON 0 PIN 0 F80 A176	0
	030-2042-007 VEAM	CONTACT PIN SZ 22D CRIMP	0
	031-0560-041 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 4-6AWG CRIMP	0
	031-8743-000 VEAM	CAR CON 0 SKT 25MM F80 A36	0
	980-2000-926 VEAM	DSUB CON CRIMP SKT 24-26 G	0
	27936-30T9 VEAM	760420	0
	980-0008-885 VEAM	26482 II CON 20 PIN	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).