Aerospace engineers have continually sought circular connectors that can meet the rigorous demands required of 21st-century applications. For years, these engineers had to compromise between size and strength, signal density and operating voltage, or environmental performance and ergonomics.
Amphenol Aerospace has developed a solution with its Series Five Black Zinc-Nickel Circular Connectors.
Amphenol's redesign of the classic circular connector is aimed at being smaller, stronger, and more capable—just like the platforms they're designed to connect.
In this week's New Tech Tuesday, we'll take a closer look at Amphenol Aerospace's Series Five Black Zinc-Nickel Circular Connectors.
For decades, the military and aerospace markets have seen their connector development evolve as weight, signal capacity, and space-saving design became considerations.
In the 1960s, the MIL-DTL-38999 was introduced. Developed as a ruggedized military solution, the MIL-DTL-38999 features smaller contacts and higher-density insert patterns than the already popular MIL-DTL-5015.
In the decades since these connectors, otherwise known as the D38999, were introduced, they have increased in popularity and have become the standard in Mil-Spec connectors for military and aerospace applications. The evolutions have brought about new shell styles, coupling methods, derivatives, and capabilities.
Amphenol's Series Five connectors use 38999-qualified components and are rated at higher voltages. Series Five connectors are also 50 percent lighter, 20 percent smaller, and possess higher voltage capabilities than the D38999 series 3.
Other features include AS39029-qualified gold-plated contacts, triple web wire seal, full metal clip retention, radial interfacial seal, and standard accessory and dual start threads.
Amphenol Aerospace has taken the classic circular connector design and made it smaller, stronger, and more capable with its Series Five line. This is important as applications demand more innovative cost-saving features like size, durability, and capability from circular connectors.
Tommy Cummings is a freelance writer/editor based in Texas. He's had a journalism career that has spanned more than 40 years. He contributes to Texas Monthly and Oklahoma Today magazines. He's also worked at The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, San Francisco Chronicle, and others. Tommy covered the dot-com boom in Silicon Valley and has been a digital content and audience engagement editor at news outlets. Tommy worked at Mouser Electronics from 2018 to 2021 as a technical content and product content specialist.