High-Performance MIL-DTL-26482 Series Environmentally Sealed Circular Connector
The MS3111E22-21PN to for mission-critical applications, this connector delivers exceptional environmental sealing, mechanical robustness, and reliable electrical performance in the with legacy systems while providing modern reliability enhancements for next-generation platforms.
This connector series is engineered for defense and industrial systems requiring uncompromising reliability:
| Parameter | Specification | Shell Material | Aluminum alloy, cadmium plated | | Contact Plating | Gold over nickel | | Insert Material | Thermoplastic, chemical-resistant | | Temperature Range | -| Mating Cycles | 500 minimum | | Sealing Performance | IP68 (submersible to 10m depth) |
The product delivers:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Series | MIL-DTL-26482 Series I |
| Shell | Aluminum alloy, cadmium plated to MIL-STD-171 |
| Insert | Thermoplastic, chemical resistant |
| Temperature range | -65 °C to +175 °C |
| Sealing | IP68, submersible to 10 m |
| Mating cycles | 500 minimum |
| Coupling | Quick bayonet, keyed |
| Mounting | Panel mount and cable mount |
| Shielding | EMI/RFI, meets MIL-STD-461 |
| Standard | MIL-DTL-26482 Series I, Revision G |
| Manufacturing | ISO 9001:2015 certified |
| Compliance | RoHS and REACH compliant versions available |
Sealing is what this series is really about. A face seal closes as the bayonet coupling locks, isolating the contact chamber before the circuit is energised. That is what lets a harsh environment connector shrug off washdown, driving rain, splash and the cleaning agents used around engines and gearboxes without fluid ever reaching the contacts.
The seal also survives maintenance. Because the coupling turns rather than threads, the gasket is compressed in one clean movement instead of being dragged across a thread each time the pair is broken, so sealing does not degrade simply because the connector has been opened and remade.
Two habits keep it that way: cap unmated receptacles so dust and swarf stay off the seal face, and replace a gasket that has been nicked or rolled during assembly instead of reseating it.
Yes — the coupling ring locks positively once it is turned home, and that positive lock is why this coupling type is used on vibration-heavy equipment rather than a friction fit. Check the locked position at every service interval: if the ring turns back without resistance, the coupling is not seated. Military circular connectors of this type are routinely specified for engine bay and turret harnesses for exactly that reason.
Within the family it mates with parts that share the same shell size, insert arrangement and contact gender, which is how mixed harnesses are built and repaired. Do not assume a similar-looking shell will mate — send us the part numbers on both halves and we will confirm before you commit. Most faults in mil spec circular connectors come from a mismatched half, and that check takes only a few minutes.
Wipe the coupling and seal face with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner, and keep solvent out of the contact chamber while the connector is unmated. Look for nicked gaskets, corrosion product on the plating, and contacts that have worked back into the shell. On an aerospace circular connector, a short inspection at each scheduled check catches most of the faults that would otherwise appear in service.
Stop and re-terminate rather than pushing it back in and hoping. The insert is designed to retain each contact positively, so a contact that has backed out usually means it never seated on the retention shoulder, or that it was damaged during termination. Fit a fresh contact, check the insertion depth against the tooling instructions, and inspect the neighbouring positions — a harsh environment connector like this one depends on every contact sitting correctly.
Read the number stamped on the shell first; it encodes the series, shell size, insert arrangement and contact type. Where the marking has worn away, photograph the shell, the keyway and the contact face and send them over, and we will match them against the range. Keep a note of that number with the wiring documentation — it is the fastest route to an exact replacement from a circular connector manufacturer.
Yes. Control, instrumentation and low-power distribution circuits can share one shell, which is often why this series ends up on aircraft and vehicle harnesses where runs are bundled together. Send us the circuit list before ordering and we will confirm the insert arrangement and contact selection. We are a MIL-DTL-26482 manufacturer, so the arrangement can be checked against your circuits before anything is built.
