Engineered for Reliability
Since the 1970s, our DEUTSCH space-grade connectors have been used in extraterrestrial applications. At the center of our innovations in space-grade connectors are our MIL-DTL-38999 electrical connectors, engineered and manufactured to withstand the harsh conditions of space travel.
Jam nut receptacles are a popular option for environmentally sealed electrical enclosures. We manufacture jam nut receptacles in a variety of materials, shell styles and insert configurations. A single bulkhead penetration simplifies manufacturing of electrical panels and helps reduce potential leak points through the fitting into environmentally sealed enclosures. The integrated O-ring seal cannot be easily dislodged from its intended position and requires less dexterity than a flange and gasket design. These features make jam nut connectors the preferred connection type for hermetic seals as well as other critical applications.
Using a single jam nut instead of a screw at each corner makes assembly of jam nut connectors fast and improves serviceability. Drilled corners on the jam nut facilitate a locking wire to “help” prevent loosening or a capture wire to keep the nut from getting lost or falling into sensitive mechanisms. Our 38999 connectors are designed for reliability in critical technologies, such as military ground vehicles, missile systems, jet fighters, commercial airliners, cargo planes, motorsport vehicles, and commercial and consumer drones.
Jam nut receptacles are designed for limited instrument space in the cockpits of spacecraft, jumbo jets, fighter jets and ground vehicles. These receptacles allow for closer connection spacing. Also, since many electronic connections to instrument displays are behind the screen, jam nut receptacles reduce the effort required to install or service these devices.
Why Choose DEUTSCH Jam Nuts?
Our broad portfolio of DEUTSCH circular connectors is engineered to the stringent MIL-DTL-38999 Standard as well as to derivative, 38999-style products. These derivative products include materials or connection configurations not covered in the MIL standard. Many of these products also meet commercial standards such Europe’s EN3645 specifications.
To comply with these requirements, our DEUTSCH and Polamco products meet MIL specification performance requirements, which including testing to withstand a minimum of 500 mating cycles or, in the case of composite connectors, 1500 mating cycles.
To achieve this, we have developed a scoop-proof interface for our DEUTSCH plugs and receptacles. This design helps prevent pin damage when making connections under blind-mating conditions. The design also helps prevent the pin and sockets from making contact until the mating parts are properly aligned. This allows the connectors to be connected while the lines are powered and active without worrying about short circuits or cross-wiring, optimizing serviceability.
MIL-DTL-38999 connectors are subminiature circular connectors widely used in military and aerospace applications. We offer D38999 connectors with three coupling methods, nine shell sizes, and a wide variety of contact arrangements. Our D38999 connectors are designed to give you a range of choices for your design requirements. Our original aluminum connectors have evolved to include stainless steel and composite shells — supported by a range of finishes. We also focus on the importance of reducing the size and weight of components, including MIL-DTL-38999 subminiature connectors. Lighter, smaller connectors can contribute to greater performance: longer flight times, greater payload capability, and increased efficiency. Beyond the standard lightweight aluminum connectors, our portfolio includes composite connectors engineered to help support weight savings.
Jam Nut Connectors: Design Options
Hermetically Sealed Options
For applications where temperature, pressure or environmental concerns rule out the use of standard environmental connectors with epoxy seals, our jam nut connectors are manufactured with hermetically sealed glass-to-metal inserts. These inserts are suitable for applications where an inert atmosphere or vacuum must be separated from a wide range of high-pressure, high-temperature, or corrosive environments. These inserts are tested in accordance with military standards using helium, one of the smallest molecules known, to produce an air-tight hermetic seal. Our MIL spec parts and 38999 Series III-style derivative components are trusted by manufacturers worldwide.
PCB-Mounted Connectors
Our MIL-DTL-38999 connectors are available with PC tail contacts for mounting to printed circuit boards or flex circuits inside an electrical enclosure or behind a control panel. These can incorporate pin or socket contacts to suit a variety of standoff lengths. Contacts may be solder dipped or gold plated.
Other 38999-Style Connectors
DTS-B Series Bronze Connectors
These connectors are MIL-DTL-38999 Series III-style connectors with marine bronze shells and jam nuts which provide excellent corrosion protection without plating, preventing nicks or wear from exposing a less resistant base material. Beside the material, the configuration, contacts and assemblies of DTS-B Series connectors conform to MIL-DTL-38999 Series III making them ideal for marine and ground vehicle applications.
DTS Firewall Connectors
These connectors include an integral back shell to reduce the space requirements and weight of the assembly. The knurled integral back shell supports shield termination with a band strap. A heat shrink boot or over molding can be easily accommodated. The class K stainless steel option is well suited for engine and firewall applications.
DTS-HC Connectors
These connectors are designed for high-current applications in harsh, high-vibration environments. Current ratings for size 4 contacts are 150 amperes each. A configuration with size 00 contacts provides a rating of 300 amps. These rugged, versatile connectors are rated to 175°C (347°F) and include seals for protection from dust and aggressive fluids. Shielding fingers at the mating interface provide EMI and RFI protection.
Jam Nut Receptacles
Design Options
|
Series I |
Series III |
Series IV |
Secure, locking coupling style |
Bayonet 1/3 turn |
Threaded 360° turn |
Breach lock 1/4 turn |
Shell/Jam Nut Materials |
1 |
3 |
2 |
Aluminum |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Stainless Steel |
|
X
|
X
|
Composite |
|
X
|
|
Available Finishes |
6 |
6 |
3 |
Shell Sizes |
9 |
9 |
8 |
Maximum number of contacts |
128 |
187 |
128 |
Environmentally sealed |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Scoop proof |
X
|
X
|
X
|
EMI/RFI Protection |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Hermetic version available |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Filter versions available |
X
|
X
|
X
|
SAE AS39029 Contacts |
X
|
X
|
X
|
Applications |
Military Ground Vehicles Motorsports |
Commercial Airliners Fighter Jets Cargo Planes Helicopters Radar Systems Soldier Gear Mobile bases |
Spacecraft Missile Defense |
POLAMCO High-Power Connectors
These connectors are designed for terminating power cables in harsh environments with voltages up to 1000 vac (1410 vdc) and current up to 1000 A. These 38999 Series I and III-style connectors are available in straight or 90° configurations with threaded or crimped terminations.
Wildcat 38999-Style Connectors
These connectors offer higher contact density than mil-spec connectors with the same rugged durability in extreme temperatures, vibration and corrosive environments. The triple start threads make mating cycles fast and easy.
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Quadrax Connectors
These connectors are designed for high-speed applications utilizing metal ground plane technology within the connector for optimal performance. These must pair with specific TE Connectivity mating connectors. This multi-signal contact system consists of two pairs used with quadraxial ethernet and fiber channel cables.
POLAMCO USB and RJ45 Series Connectors
These connectors incorporate rugged MIL-DTL-38999 Series III-style metal shells with USB and RJ45 connections for harsh environments. Both connectors feature full 360° shielding and mechanical protection. The USB connectors are available for USB 2.0 or 3.0 and the RJ45 conform with Cat 5 and 6a. These fully grounded connectors are designed for high levels of shock, vibration and mechanical impact with seals compliant to IP68 ingress protection.
Fiber-Optic Connectors
These connectors leverage our 40 years of fiber optic experience along with MIL-DTL-38999 connectors to provide rugged 38999-style connector solutions to defense and commercial aerospace along with marine applications. These connectors feature dowel pin alignment and keying for standard or tight tolerances.
