In the demanding environments of aerospace and defense, wherenegotiable and failure is not an option, the integrity of every connection matters. The Military Circular Connector stands as a critical component engineered to meet the most stringent requirements. Designed and manufactured in strict compliance with MIL-DTL-26482 Series II standards, this connector delivers robust performance where it counts Gold Standard, It is not just a connector; it's a certified solution built to withstand the rigors of military operations and aerospace missions. MIL-DTL-26482 is the definitive specification for bayonet-coupled circular connectors in harsh environments. This standard shock, vibration, moisture, and temperature extremes.
The connector of choice foranks, armored personnel carriers, communication systems.
MIL-DTL-26482 Series II is the solder-terminated branch of the 26482 family, and this military circular connector is built for the work that follows: a cable half an assembly shop can wire, inspect and mate, then leave in place for the life of the platform. Precision contacts sit in a resilient insert inside a metal shell, and the range covers aerospace plug and socket bodies, so both ends of a run come from the same part-number family. It is a working connector rather than a bench item — terminated once, mated and de-mated through maintenance cycles, and expected to keep performing in industrial cabinets, vehicle wiring and airborne equipment. If your drawing calls for a 26482 Series II solder type, this is the body that fills it.
| Standard | MIL-DTL-26482 Series II |
| Type | Solder-terminated circular connector |
| Model | MS3476L24-61SN |
| Coupling | Bayonet |
| Termination | Solder cup contacts |
| Contact system | Precision high-reliability contacts |
| Connection style | Aerospace plug and socket |
| Insert arrangement | Determined by the part number |
| Polarization | Keyed shells so a plug mates only with its matching socket |
| Mating pair | Plug and socket of the same shell size and insert arrangement |
| Contact retention | Contacts are held in the insert, independent of the soldered joint |
| Operating temperature | Broad service range |
Solder cups are the reason this connector exists in Series II. Each contact takes a stripped, tinned wire soldered directly into the cup, so the joint has no intermediate crimp interface and nothing that can work loose as the wiring assembly ages. In the shop that means standard practice: strip to the right length, tin the strand, keep the iron on the cup only long enough for the solder to flow, and inspect each joint for a smooth fillet with no stray strands. Solder termination is still the backbone of military electrical connectors because it tolerates field repair — a damaged wire can be de-soldered and re-terminated without rebuilding the whole cable assembly. Leave enough slack behind the shell so the backshell carries the cable load instead of the soldered joint.
| Shell material | Aluminum alloy or nickel-cadmium plated steel |
| Shell finish | Plated for corrosion resistance |
| Contact plating | Gold over nickel |
| Shielding | EMI/RFI protection through the metal shell |
| Shielding continuity | Metal-to-metal contact at the mated shells keeps the shield path intact |
| Backshell options | Straight or elbow |
| Backshell fit | Threaded rear of the shell takes the backshell and cable clamp |
| Strain relief | Backshell clamp grips the cable jacket behind the insert |
| Finish wear | Plated surfaces protect the coupling through repeated mating |
Every unit is checked for environmental sealing and put through vibration testing before it is packed, because a connector that only looks right on the bench is no use in a cable assembly that has to survive years of service. As a circular connector manufacturer we keep that check on the whole range rather than on selected batches, so the part that reaches your bench is the part that was tested. On receipt, look over the shell faces for dents, make sure the coupling ring turns freely, and confirm the contacts are seated and undamaged before the connector goes into a cable assembly. Raise anything that looks wrong with our team before assembly rather than after the cable assembly is built.
Check two things before the equipment is powered: the shell faces should meet with no visible gap, and the coupling ring should sit in its locked position and not turn back under light hand pressure. It is the same check used on most military electrical connectors with a bayonet shell, so it is quick to add to your assembly sheet — and it catches the most common cause of intermittent signal and water ingress, a partly seated coupling.
Three things work together on this waterproof military connector: an interfacial seal between the mating faces, grommets around the rear where the wires enter, and O-rings on the shell. Together they keep rain, condensation and washdown water out of the contact area. The mating joint is always the weak point, so check the coupling is locked and leave the protective cap on any face that is not yet mated.
No. Industrial, rail and transport equipment builders use the same body because the reason to choose it is long-term reliability rather than a military label: seated contacts, a locking coupling and a shell that resists corrosion. If the wiring runs in a cabinet, on a vehicle or near a washdown, it fits. Tell us the environment and the mating cycles and we will confirm whether this grade of aerospace connectors suits that run.
Match the part number of the half you already have, then check three things: shell style at each end of the run, contact gender, and insert arrangement. As a circular connector manufacturer we cross-check this daily — send a photo of the connector plate or the wiring drawing and we will confirm the pairing for the MS3476L24-61SN you are replacing, including the panel cut-out if you are building new.
Yes. Solder cups are rework-friendly: heat the joint, lift the wire, clean the cup and re-terminate. If the contact itself is damaged or its plating is burnt, fit a new contact rather than reusing it — soldering heat is harder on plating than on the wire. Keep the iron on the cup only long enough to flow the solder, and inspect the joint again before the connector goes back into service.
Keep them in their packaging in a dry indoor location until they go to the assembly bench. Leave the protective caps on the mating faces, and avoid loose storage in a bin where coupling rings and contact ends can knock against each other. Once a half is terminated, keep the cap on the open face until it is mated for the first time.
