MIL-DTL-55181 connectors

Connectors, backshells, and contacts

Eaton offers a comprehensive range of MIL-DTL-55181 QPL and specialized military power connectors. These field-proven products can be leveraged to quickly develop application specific solutions including filtered power connectors and custom connector/cable assemblies.

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Overview Resources

Core features

Innovations include solutions that enable power splitting without the use of Y cables.
Voltage drops for mated four-contact connectors less than 20mV at 35 amps; 9 and 18 contact models less than 25mV at 7.5 amps.
Rugged design features include heat treated, alloy-steel nosepieces and gold over nickel contact platings.

Qpl and filtered panel-mount receptacles

MW-Series panel-mount receptacles are available with 4,9, or 18 contacts in QPL and filtered configurations. Filtered receptacles utilize planar capacitors to enable high-density designs that survive the shock and vibration of repeated field deployments.

QPL certified: M55181/2-01, M55181/4-01, M55181/6-01, andM55181/8-01.
Cadmium plated, brass shells with olive-drab chromate; stainless steel draw screws.
Accessories include dust caps and backshells.
Filtered solutions can be optimized for application-specific voltage, frequency, and impedance requirements.

Qpl and rohs compliant plugs

Rugged plug designs feature aluminum-alloy bodies with heat-treated-steel nosepieces. Finish options include cadmium with olive-drab chromate plating and RoHS compliant, electroless nickel with black-trivalent chromate.

QPL certified: M55181/1, M55181/3, M55181/5, and M55181/7 QPL configurations available with -01 through -05 cable size designators.
Copper-alloy sockets and yellow-brass pins feature gold over nickel contact platings.
Voltage drops for mated four-contact connectors less than 20mV at 35 amps; 9 and 18 contact models less than 25mV at 7.5 amps.

Mil-dtl-55181 adaptor series plugs

Adaptor-series plugs incorporate similar design features as QPL plugs and utilize cable-mounting adaptors that simplify cable-shielding terminations. Three cable adaptors are available with inside diameters up to 0.390 inches and outside diameters up to 0.490 inches.

Aluminum-alloy body finish options include chemical film per MIL-C-5541 and RoHS compliant black nickel.
Alloy steel nosepieces and stainless-steel draw screws.
Configurations include plug bodies with pre-mounted cable adaptors, or plug bodies and adaptors can be ordered separately.
Application-specific finishes and custom cable assemblies and wiring harnesses are also available.

Straight backshell connectors

These MIL-DTL-55181 compatible connectors incorporate a straight-backshell design that is suitable for in-line and panel-mount military applications. Plugs and receptacles are available in 4, 9, or 18 pin or socket configurations.

Shielded ferrules simplify cable-to-shield terminations.
Finish options include cadmium, nickel, and RoHS compliant black nickel.
Termination options include turrets and solder cups.
Compatible with all cable sizes defined by MIL-DTL-55181 -01 to -05 cable diameter designators.

Stacking connectors split power without y cables

The stacking connector enables power splitting without the use of Y cables by incorporating plug contacts on the front mating surface and receptacle contacts on the rear mating surface.

The stacking connector plug contacts are mated to the battery pictured to the left. Internal contacts provide electrical continuity between the plug contacts, attached cable, and receptacle contacts that are mated to the QPL connector stacked on top of it.

When used without a "piggybacked" connector mated to the receptacle contacts, the stacking connector functions identical to a MIL-DTL-55181 plug.
The stacking connector can be ordered with factory installed cables or customers can install cables in the same manner as any QPL connector.

Mil-dtl-55181 multiple power access units

Multiple Power Access Units (MPAUs) provide two power outputs from a single input. The MPAU body incorporates a cable adaptor and a receptacle to facilitate power splitting from a plug that connects to the power source. Additional features include:

Ideal solutions for height-constrained applications.
Quickly replaces QPL plugs by using standard MIL-DTL-55181 plug-to-cable attachment processes.
Extensive range of 4, 9 or 18 contact solutions includes standard products and application-specific configurations.
Meets MIL-DTL-55181 electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements.

Cable mounted power splitters with two sets of receptacle contacts

Dual header receptacles provide two sets of receptacle contacts that share power from a single cable. These MIL-DTL-55181-compliant, power-splitting solutions are available in 4, 9, and 18 contact configurations.

The rear set of contacts (not shown in this image) has the same number of pins or sockets as the front set of contacts.
Facilitates lower cost power splitting solutions than traditional Y cables.
Rugged designs are rated for 500 mate and demate cycles.
Sealed aluminum housings with cadmium/olive-drab chromate or RoHS-compliant platings.
Custom capabilities include factory installed wiring harnesses and cable assemblies.

Dual entry plugs split power to two cables

Dual-entry connectors incorporate a single-plug body that distributes power to two cables. These MIL-DTL-55181 compliant solutions are available in 4, 9, or 18-contact configurations.

Sealed aluminum housings with cadmium/olive-drab chromate or RoHS compliant platings.
Available with 75 and 90 degree cable-entry configurations.
Facilitates lower cost power-splitting solutions than traditional Y cables.
Rugged designs are rated for 500 mate and demate cycles.
Custom capabilities include wiring harnesses and cable assemblies.

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MIL-DTL-55181 Connectors

Core features

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