Circular Connectors

Circular Connectors - Contacts

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
21-033385-141 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET 24AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
21-033102-021 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN COAX SZ 8 CRIMP	175
BACC47GM1 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN BACC III SZ8 QUADRAX	0
10-497650-035 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET SZ 16 PCB	0
10-497446-075 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET 8AWG	295
2M809-204 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
21-033101-024 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET COAX SZ 8 CRIMP	1
10-597474-205 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN SZ 20 BACC III	48030
21-033123-541 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET COAX SZ12 CRIMP	47
10-597878-041 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET SZ 22D PCB	0
10-407862-320 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
21-033384-021 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN 24AWG CRIMP GOLD	172
10-597064-02X Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN 20-24AWG CRIMP GOLD	3890
10-407576-115 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN SZ 22D PCB	0
M39029/37-279 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET 20AWG CRIMP GOLD	0
10-251415-235 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN 24-28AWG CRIMP GOLD	288
10-497623-665 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET SZ 22D PCB	0
21-033828-001 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN SZ 8 PCB TRIAX	0
21-033190-001 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT PIN SZ 8 CRIMP GOLD	3
21-033385-071 Amphenol Aerospace Operations	CONTACT SOCKET 26AWG CRIMP GOLD	88

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).