![\"MS3106-Series-Circular-Connector-MIL-Spec-Plug-Female\"](\"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MS3106-Series-Circular-Connector-MIL-Spec-Plug-Female-e1688993590903.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"MS3106](\"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MS3106-Series-Circular-Connector-MIL-Spec-Plug-Male-e1688993719220.jpg\")
<\/a>As we know, military and defense operations are run worldwide. In order to run these operations, equipment is required and oftentimes, specialized equipment. Electrical connectors are not exempt from being a contributing factor, better yet component, of the specialized equipment used to conduct these military assignments. As one would guess, the success rate of mission can come down to the reliability of the equipment involved. A reliable connector was created to be part of various applications such as military vehicles like Humvees, armored carriers, tanks and aircraft equipment like helicopters and the infamously popular drones. These connectors were designed to be a standard within the severe and demanding environments that is present in warfare. In addition to being used in other environmental applications such as oil, gas, marine, automotive, and other industrial arenas. The application\u2019s environment plays a role in deciding if and what type of MS connector will be used. There are MS connectors that cater to environments requiring resistance to vibration, corrosion, high temperatures and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MIL-STD connectors typically comprise of a mating pair, one part being a plug (male-pin configuration) and the other a receptacle (female-socket configuration). See image above. Each pair has a matching male (pin) contact with a female (socket) contact. These connectors are commonly constructed of beryllium-copper alloy or phosphor-bronze. These metals have excellent conductive properties which would be important when establishing electrical connections. These metals are also plated with another highly conductive non-corrosive metal, usually gold. When used for fiber optic connections, the plug (male) connectors have a protruding ferrule. This holds the fibers in place and aids in the alignment of two fibers so that a connection can be made. One important factor to keep in mind when dealing with a fiber optic connection is the connectors insertion loss. This is the amount of light that will be lost upon establishing a connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selecting a MIL-STD Connector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are 6 product parameters to consider when choosing a MIL-STD connector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are the connectors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Contacts
- Number<\/li>
- Type<\/li>
- Size<\/li>
- Coupling method<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Shell<\/li>
- Terminals<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Contacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe number of contacts defines the number of conductive elements present within the MIL-STD connector. These elements mate with their corresponding connector\u2019s elements to create the electrical path for its designated application. The contact\u2019s type is simply the connectors mating orientation. The contact will either be pins (male) or sockets (female) within the connector. The contact size, which uses the American Wire Gauge \u2013 AWG designation, is used to differentiate the contacts from each other. The final contact related parameter is the contact\u2019s coupling method. There are multiple types of coupling methods available that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Threaded coupling \u2013 screw threads onto the mating connector.<\/li>
- Ball detent coupling \u2013 push-pull, self-locking coupling that can protect rotating elements from overloading damage.<\/li>
- Bayonet coupling \u2013 jacking and fast locking capability but limited in rotation ability.<\/li>
- Spring rack\/Quick-connect coupling \u2013 used widely, especially for corrosive liquid flowing applications.<\/li>
- Breech lock coupling \u2013 which has a removable locking ring that enables safe joining of the components and easy dismantling for cleaning and maintenance.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"MS](\"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MS-Series-Circular-Connector-M12-Bayonet-One-Touch-Lock-Waterproof-Plug-Female-e1688993681264.jpg\")
<\/a>MS Series Circular Connector – M12, Bayonet One-Touch Lock, Waterproof, Plug Female<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"MMS3102](\"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MMS3102-Series-Circular-Connector-Waterproof-MIL-Spec-Flanged-Panel-Mount-Receptacle-e1688993627346.jpg\")
<\/a>MMS3102 Series Circular Connector – Waterproof, MIL-Spec, Flanged Panel Mount, Receptacle<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\nConnector Shell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe main housing of the connector is called the shell. This shell is typically made of metal that has been plated for corrosion resistance. Like the connectors contact type, the shell comes in various styles such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Straight or angles plug<\/li>
- Wall or box-mount receptacle<\/li>
- In-line or cable receptacle<\/li>
- Jam nut receptacle<\/li>
- Dummy receptacle<\/li>
- Through-bulkhead receptacle<\/li>
- Solder or weld-mount receptacle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The most common connectors come in a variety of sizes starting at a shell size of 8 (0.50). The shell size then increases by increments of 0.0625\u201d all the way up to a size 36 (2.25). For circular MIL-STD connectors, the shell is cylindrical and comes in incremental sizes starting around 0.375\u201d. MIL-STD connectors use threads to attach back shells to the shell housing and are usually within or equal to 0.062\u201d of the connector shell size. The connector\u2019s shell is either designated male or female. The male (plug) is sometimes called a header or free connector. This plug is movable and is attached to a removable sub-assembly cable. To establish the circuit connection, the plug is inserted into the female (socket) which can either be a receptable, jack, or outlet of some kind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terminals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nUsed to terminate, in the electrical sense, a connection and can be attached to posts, studs, or other conductor types to create an electrical connection. Like some of the preceding parameters, there are several types of terminals used to terminal e connection. Some the most commonly used are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Crimp \u2013 the physical compression of a contact wire barrel around a conductor to make a mechanical and electrical connection. This is usually done with a specialized tool.<\/li>
- Cage clamp \u2013 connections made using cage clamp<\/li>
- Insulation Displacement Connectors (IDCs) \u2013 connection is made by slicing through the cable insulation with an IDC. They are mass termination connectors for flat cables and eliminate the need to strip the insulation manually.<\/li>
- PCB solder \u2013 soldering wires onto a printed circuit board (PCB)<\/li>
- Screw \u2013 connections made using screws<\/li>
- Lugs \u2013 connections made using lugs<\/li>
- Tabs \u2013 connections made using quick connect tabs<\/li>
- Through-hole technology (THT) \u2013 mounts components by pushing component lead through holes in a PCB and then soldering. In pin termination, components are mounted without soldering.<\/li>
- Lanyard release \u2013 in compliance with MIL-SPEC standards, backshell accessories and a lanyard are included.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In addition, MIL-SPEC connectors can come with other features that help fulfill a desired function. Some of those features are: integrated filter\/magnetics, hermetically sealed, EMI or RFI filter\/ESD shield, underwater use and environmental resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all things are considered, MIL-SPEC connectors are specially designed to comply with military specifications. Those standards are listed below with the most common 3 being MIL-C-5015<\/a>, MIL-C-26482, and MIL-C-38999. See table below for listing of well-known military specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Number<\/li>
- Type<\/li>
- Size<\/li>
- Coupling method<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Shell<\/li>
- Terminals<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Contacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The number of contacts defines the number of conductive elements present within the MIL-STD connector. These elements mate with their corresponding connector\u2019s elements to create the electrical path for its designated application. The contact\u2019s type is simply the connectors mating orientation. The contact will either be pins (male) or sockets (female) within the connector. The contact size, which uses the American Wire Gauge \u2013 AWG designation, is used to differentiate the contacts from each other. The final contact related parameter is the contact\u2019s coupling method. There are multiple types of coupling methods available that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Threaded coupling \u2013 screw threads onto the mating connector.<\/li>
- Ball detent coupling \u2013 push-pull, self-locking coupling that can protect rotating elements from overloading damage.<\/li>
- Bayonet coupling \u2013 jacking and fast locking capability but limited in rotation ability.<\/li>
- Spring rack\/Quick-connect coupling \u2013 used widely, especially for corrosive liquid flowing applications.<\/li>
- Breech lock coupling \u2013 which has a removable locking ring that enables safe joining of the components and easy dismantling for cleaning and maintenance.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/a>
MS Series Circular Connector – M12, Bayonet One-Touch Lock, Waterproof, Plug Female<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n<\/a>MMS3102 Series Circular Connector – Waterproof, MIL-Spec, Flanged Panel Mount, Receptacle<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n Connector Shell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The main housing of the connector is called the shell. This shell is typically made of metal that has been plated for corrosion resistance. Like the connectors contact type, the shell comes in various styles such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Straight or angles plug<\/li>
- Wall or box-mount receptacle<\/li>
- In-line or cable receptacle<\/li>
- Jam nut receptacle<\/li>
- Dummy receptacle<\/li>
- Through-bulkhead receptacle<\/li>
- Solder or weld-mount receptacle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The most common connectors come in a variety of sizes starting at a shell size of 8 (0.50). The shell size then increases by increments of 0.0625\u201d all the way up to a size 36 (2.25). For circular MIL-STD connectors, the shell is cylindrical and comes in incremental sizes starting around 0.375\u201d. MIL-STD connectors use threads to attach back shells to the shell housing and are usually within or equal to 0.062\u201d of the connector shell size. The connector\u2019s shell is either designated male or female. The male (plug) is sometimes called a header or free connector. This plug is movable and is attached to a removable sub-assembly cable. To establish the circuit connection, the plug is inserted into the female (socket) which can either be a receptable, jack, or outlet of some kind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Terminals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Used to terminate, in the electrical sense, a connection and can be attached to posts, studs, or other conductor types to create an electrical connection. Like some of the preceding parameters, there are several types of terminals used to terminal e connection. Some the most commonly used are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Crimp \u2013 the physical compression of a contact wire barrel around a conductor to make a mechanical and electrical connection. This is usually done with a specialized tool.<\/li>
- Cage clamp \u2013 connections made using cage clamp<\/li>
- Insulation Displacement Connectors (IDCs) \u2013 connection is made by slicing through the cable insulation with an IDC. They are mass termination connectors for flat cables and eliminate the need to strip the insulation manually.<\/li>
- PCB solder \u2013 soldering wires onto a printed circuit board (PCB)<\/li>
- Screw \u2013 connections made using screws<\/li>
- Lugs \u2013 connections made using lugs<\/li>
- Tabs \u2013 connections made using quick connect tabs<\/li>
- Through-hole technology (THT) \u2013 mounts components by pushing component lead through holes in a PCB and then soldering. In pin termination, components are mounted without soldering.<\/li>
- Lanyard release \u2013 in compliance with MIL-SPEC standards, backshell accessories and a lanyard are included.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In addition, MIL-SPEC connectors can come with other features that help fulfill a desired function. Some of those features are: integrated filter\/magnetics, hermetically sealed, EMI or RFI filter\/ESD shield, underwater use and environmental resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all things are considered, MIL-SPEC connectors are specially designed to comply with military specifications. Those standards are listed below with the most common 3 being MIL-C-5015<\/a>, MIL-C-26482, and MIL-C-38999. See table below for listing of well-known military specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n