Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
82911459NK Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 20AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
SC24W-3S25 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 24-26AWG CRIMP	23708
82913609A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 8AWG CRIMP SILVER	162
82913600A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 16AWG CRIMP SLVR	24
CF10SC10RF Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 20-22AWG CRIMP	0
CM10SS10MQ Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 18AWG SLDR CUP	178
82911458A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 20AWG CRIMP SLVR	0
82911463NA Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 16AWG CRIMP SILVER	54
82911462A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 16AWG CRIMP SLVR	0
CF16SC10RF Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 16-18AWG CRIMP	725
CF10PC10RF Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 20-22AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
CM16PS10MQ Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 14AWG SLDR CUP GOLD	2350
82911465NK Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT PIN 14AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
RC12Z43D28 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	CONTACT SOCKET 12-14AWG CRIMP	0
RMMX128-4D28 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	MIN COAX OUTER BODY,MALE	0
SM24ML1S18 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	SIZE 16 SELECTIVE PLATED	250
BACC47GC4A Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	BACC CON 12 PIN	1535
85997645 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	38999 REDUCTOR SZ #8 POWER	0
SM14M1D70 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	2PC STRIP HYF PIN #14 AW	0
85990721900 Souriau-Sunbank by Eaton	38999 CON 22D SKT PCB LONG	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).