Page 48 - ConnectorSupplier.com 2019 How-to-Specify E-Book

The Differences Between MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, and III Connectors
Nemanja Jokanovic, Marketing Director at Air Electro
The engineers and procurement professionals in both the civil and military aerospace industries work with QPL- approved (Qualified Parts List) connectors on an all but daily basis. Constant exposure and ingrained routines can cause people to forget some of the basic concepts of the products they work with most often, like the differences between the MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, and III connectors.
MIL-DTL-38999 Series I Connectors
MIL-DTL-38999 Series I connectors are circular, high-density, bayonet style connectors available in shell sizes ranging from #9 to 25 with more than 50 QPL-approved insert arrangements. They were originally designed to meet high performance requirements for cable-to-panel applications in the military and aerospace market, but are widely employed in applications including marine electronics, communications equipment, medical instrumentation, weapon systems, armored carriers and tanks, and test equipment as well.
Air Electro stocks SOURIAU’s 8LT Series MIL-DTL-38999 Series I connectors.
The shells of MIL-DTL-38999 Series I connectors are made of aluminum alloy and are available with one of four conductive plating options — black zinc nickel, olive green cadmium, nickel, or green zinc cobalt — to provide electrical continuity between the mated shells prior to contact engagement. They are also polarized to ensure proper orientation of the mating halves prior to electrical engagement. Shell types include square flange receptacles, in-line receptacles, short square flange receptacles that do not accept backshells, square flange receptacles for rear mounting, jam nut receptacles, plugs with radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding, and plugs with RFI shielding that do not accept backshells.
48