Circular Connectors

Circular connectors are used primarily for external interfacing. Typical applications include measuring equipment, industrial sensors, industrial equipment and machines, computers and peripherals, medical equipment, and audio and video equipment. Military style connectors are not included in this product area.  A connector will either be male type (with pins) or female type (with sockets).  A male connector includes pins that plug into a socket or similar receptacle.  A female connector consists of sockets that are aligned to mesh with a pin-type connector. Features common to circular connectors include coupling or adapters, cryogenic use, environment restraint, gold plated contacts, hermetically sealed, insulated body, locking nut, underwater use, wash down capabilities and weatherproof.

Important parameters to consider when specifying circular connectors include the number of contacts or number of conductive elements in a connector, which mate, with a corresponding element to provide an electrical path.  An electrical contact is the termination of an electrical wire in the connector's pin or socket.  Contact size, also referred to as "Termination Size," is the maximum diameter wire the connector can accommodate.  Wire size is measured according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard. In North America, wire area is measured by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) to indicate conductor size. The AWG is used to measure certain conductors including copper. The higher the AWG number the thinner the wire. This is because AWG stems from a measurement that represented the number of times the copper wire was run through a wire machine, which reduced the diameter of the wire. Thus 24-gauge wire went through the machine 6 more times than 18-gauge wire.  Mounting options for circular connectors include PC board mount or flange or panel mount.  Termination options include insulation displacement, solder cup or solder, PCB solder, wire wrap, tabs, screws, lugs, and crimp. 

Important performance specifications to consider when searching for circular connectors include maximum rated voltage, maximum operating current, and maximum operating temperature.  The maximum current or voltage rating for a product given by an approval organization may be different from the suppliers designed maximums. In many such cases, the product can be used safely at an unapproved level. Check with the supplier for specific usage details.  Common approvals include UL listing mark, UL recognized component mark (US and Canadian), and CSA mark (US, C and US, NRTL/C).