Page 9 - Circular Connector Backshells and Accessories

How to Order
Circular Connector Backshells How to Order

The Working Environment
The broad range of backshell types available to-
day makes it critical for interconnect engineers, and
others tasked with the responsibility of specifying
connector accessories to become adept at building
backshell part numbers. For the most part, the pro-
cess entails selecting options from the part number
development trees found on each catalog page.
But experience shows it is equally important to
consider the working environment of the target ap-
plication before completing the backshell selection
process. There are many electrical, mechanical and
environmental considerations which, when properly
addressed, will ensure a long functional life for the
interconnect system. So before you start building
part numbers, please consider the following:
(1) What are the material/finish specifications of
the mating connector?
(2) What level of environmental protection is re-
quired in the system—from full water immersion, to
splash proof and/or moisture resistance?
(3) What level of EMI shielding is required, and An accurate estimate of the cable diameter is required
is any particular style or type of shield termination to select the right backshell cable entry diameter. Com-
generally specified in the target assembly? plete the cable analysis before selecting the backshell.
(4) What level or amount of strain-relief, from
light duty to gorilla proof, is required to protect shield (9) Does the application require conformance to
and conductor terminations from damage? AS85049 or another specification?
(5) What is the temperature range of the appli- Cable Make-up
cation environment? Is it so hot that stainless steel Other questions in backshell selection cannot be
is called for, or so cold that an elastomeric seal might answered without an understanding of the overall
potentially fail? make-up of the cable and harness. Basic dimen-
(6) Is repairability a design requirement? Some sional decisions on cable entry size cannot be
split shell designs make field repair a snap, while specified without accurate descriptions and mea-
solid shell models make accessing contact termi- surements of the cable or wire bundle. A basic
nations more difficult. analysis of the cable should include:
(7) Are there size or shape constraints which • Wire Numbers and Types: twisted shielded
need to be considered? Is working room so impor- pairs, coaxial power, signal, fiber optic, etc.
tant that an extender needs to be designed in? Or • Shield Material Gauge, Number and Type:
is available space so tight that an ultra low profile tin, nickel, silver plated copper wire, and so on.
backshell design is called for? Does cable routing • Jacket Material and Thickness.
dictate 45 , 90 or straight cable entries?
o
o
(8) Is a metal shell required or is saving weight The table on the following page will assist you in
and preventing corrosion with composite thermo- calculating wire bundle diameter for use in choos-
plastic materials an option? ing the correct backshell cable entry diameter.

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