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Mil spec cylindrical (sometimes called circular) connectors have been used for decades for critical connections in military and industrial electronics equipment. It is no surprise well loggers have relied on these rugged connectors from nearly the beginning of our industry. These connectors have been used to connect surface electronics, but have also been modified and used to interconnect sections and components in downhole tools. There are several different styles of mil spec cylindrical connectors, and usually equivalent industrial lines as well. What follows is a brief discussion of a couple of the most common mil spec connectors found in logging equipment. The MIL-C-5015 MS circular connectors have been around the longest, and are often referred to as simply "MS Connectors". They are also referred to as "Standard Cylindrical Connectors", and many manufacturers have an industrial as well as a mil spec line of these old workhorses (the Amphenol 97 Series is an example). Here are the most common receptacles and plugs: |
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Well logging MIL-C-5015 MS connector applications: |
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The MIL-C-26482 miniature circular connectors are a newer style connector with a quick positive three point bayonet lock coupling system. These nifty connectors come in 10 shell sizes (6 through 24) and dozens of contact arrangements. The MS3116 straight plug and the MS3110 flanged wall mounted receptacle or the MS3112 flanged box mounted receptacle have found a few applications in surface well logging electronics. The four pin 8-4 configuration has been used as an interconnect cable termination between surface panels by Bell and others, and is also popular as a connector for pressure transducers in industrial applications. CPC (from Circular Plastic Connector) Connectors are similar to MIL-C-5015 connectors, except they are made from plastic (there is a metal-shell CPC variant). In fact one branch of the CPC line is intermateable with selected MIL-C-5015 connectors. CPC connectors have found wide use in industrial applications since they are less expensive than the true mil spec metal connectors. Series 1 is the most common version, and uses size 16 contacts (the same pin and socket contacts used in
NIMS bin connectors). Series 2 is the high density variation, and uses size 20 contacts. Series 3 uses power contacts, Series 4 uses mixed size 16 and power contacts, Series 5 uses .125 powerband contacts, Series 6 uses mixed size 16 and powerband contacts, and the MIL-C-5015 style uses size 16 contacts. CPC connectors are available in both standard and reverse sex configurations allowing either pins or sockets to be used in both plugs and receptacles. The old GO SPM-401 shooting panel (mounts in an unpowered NIMS bin) uses Series 1 CPC hardware to connect to the remote transformer unit (206430-1 reverse sex four socket receptacle on the shooting module and 206429-1 reverse sex four pin plug on the transformer pigtail cable). 07-20-06 |
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