Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
031-8717-121 VEAM	TRI CON PWR SKT 16-14 ST/LO	45
330-8672-100 VEAM	CON MSS PIN 18-20 TIN	0
030-8586-006 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 16-18AWG CRIMP GOLD	5381
430-8560-004 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 16-20AWG CRIMP GOLD	259
031-8688-110 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 20-22AWG CRIMP	3099
T3P20FE1LY VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 20AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
27963-15T12 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 18AWG CRIMP GOLD	3066
110238-0194 VEAM	CON SS SKT INS SUP TIN 5KRL	0
030-8586-000 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 16-18AWG CRIMP SLVR	21737
330-8744-000 VEAM	CAB CON 16S PIN 22/20 F80 A36	0
031-3263-003 VEAM	KPD CNT 20 S 50 MICROINCH GOLD	318
27913-15T12 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 18AWG CRIMP GOLD	7812
192900-0634 VEAM	TRI CON 28-14 AWG SOD SKT TIN	44
031-8717-150 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 14-16AWG CRIMP	1664
030-9036-000 VEAM	CONTACT PIN 20AWG CRIMP GOLD	964
27963-20T112 VEAM	CONTACT SOCKET 14-16AWG CRIMP	1511
031-3263-000 VEAM	KPD CNT 20S 100 MICROINCH GOLD	272
330-8659-000 VEAM	CAB CON 16 PIN 22/20 F80 A36	3189
27915-T12 VEAM	CONTACT PIN SZ 8 CRIMP GOLD	60
030-2196-006 VEAM	CON SS PIN INS SUP GOLD	7903

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).