How to Assemble a Circular Connector?
A circular connector is a type of electromechanical component used to make or break an electric circuit. These multi-pin connectors are basically cylinder-shaped and feature a circular mating surface designed for connection. What does its inner structure looks like? How do we disassemble it for wiring? What benefits could it bring to us? Where are they applied? This blog will lead you to the answers.
Let’s take a closer look at its structure. A circular connector can be dismantled into two parts, a plug (male connector) and a socket (female socket) and these two parts can be tightened up through the built-in turnbuckles. Industrial circular connectors include contacts (usually wrapped up with plastic or metal shells ) intended for data or current transmission. The cylindrical structure of circular connectors is inherently robust and provides greater strength than any other shape of connectors.
Apart from male and female connectors, other common accessories in circular connectors include external shells, lock sleeves, reeds, pins, solder terminals, waterproof gaskets, dust covers, etc. The shell of the circular connector is composed of zinc alloy or PBT engineering plastic material to ensure the overall robustness of it.
(Mounting holes on the female connector are marked with numbers in order, and there is an error-proof groove at the top.)
(There are 5 pins in the male connector and an error-proof buckle.)
(On the back, there are 5 silver-plated soldering terminals.)
Next, we’ll tell you how to disassembly the male and female connectors to check out the precision inner structure of them. Hope it could be of some help for wiring.
Remove the screw on the female connector. Examine the female connector carefully, you’ll find a tiny screw on it. Unscrew it, and you will take apart the connector and the shell. *Remember to twist off the female connector and do not pull it off from the shell by force.
In the shell there is a silicone case intended to prevent accidental contacts between the female connector and the inner side of the shell.
The soldering terminals on the female connector are given a code number individually for fear that soldering errors occur.
There is a screw fastener at the end of the shell of female connector. Unscrew it to let thicker wires go through the connector.
To reassemble it, kindly note that all parts shall be put together in the original order.
First, you should place the silicone case back in to the shell.
Then, insert the female connector back into the shell where you should twist the connector to make the fixing hole aligned with the screw hole.
Finally, finish reassembly by screwing up the female connector and the shell.
*Make sure that error-proof grooves are aligned with their corresponding buckles before you push back the male connector into the female one. And secure both parts with nuts.
Check out the video below for more details about how to assembly a circular connector.
Benefits of circular connectors
Circular connectors that are most commonly seen in non-standard automation generally include M12, M8, M5, M16, 5/8’, M23, 7/8’ and so on. Thanks to their special design, circular connectors are particularly suitable to be joined to multi-pin wires and other relevant applications where they are safe, reliable and easy to operate and able to make neater wiring system. As is said before, the cylindrical shape increases the connector’s resistance to mechanical turbulence and damage from shock. Apart from these features, other characteristics of circular connectors are given as follows:
- Made of materials that are waterproof, moisture-proof, rain-proof, sun-proof and anti-corrosion.
- Flame-retardant and anti-oxidation thanks to environment-friendly and advanced manufacturing techniques
- Helpful for refining the production process by simplifying the assembly of electronic devices in mass production.
- Easy to maintain: With circular connectors, there is no need to pinch off cables or electric plastic sleeves, etc. in case of circuit failure, but only need to unscrew both ends of the waterproof connector. This function facilitates the maintenance of water-proof electric products designed with circular connectors such as LED, solar equipment and geothermal facilities.(Circular connectors make for faster replacement of failed components.)
- Able to increase flexibility of design: Engineers will be given more flexibility in designing and integrating new products and in arranging components for an electric system when they add circular connectors to their projects.
Applications of Circular Connectors
They are well used within agricultural machinery, industrial automation systems, medical sector, aerospace, transportation, communications etc. and for a wide range of applications such as tiny circular connectors used for manufacturing UAVs.
Whether they are applied to the industrial sector, aircraft controls, or commercial lighting, circular connectors are designed to adapt to harsh working environment and perform stable and efficient transmission of current or signals from the main circuit. During this process they should maintain sound anti-interference and anti-vibration capability. Likewise, circular connectors are also intended to work normally under corrosive circumstances with high voltage and high current. Therefore, it’s vital to choose quality products from a reliable supplier. And ATO is such a reliable supplier that provides M12, M13, M14, M16, M18, M19, M22, M25, M26, M30 with various numbers of pins for selection. Feel free to explore our product catalog to find the right model according to your requirements. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries!
If you have made up your mind to make a purchase but don’t know the exact model you should choose, check out this blog on how to choose the appropriate circular connectors for your specific needs.
