SHX13 Watertight Connectors for Sonar and Hydrophone Equipment
Sonar equipment · 300 m water depth · 4.5 MPa mated
SM Load-Bearing Underwater Connectors for Towed Arrays, 50 kN
50 kN axial load · 450 m · oil-filled pressure-balanced
SM connectors join sections of towed sensor and hydrophone arrays. Load-bearing members at both ends carry 50,000 N axial pull through the mated connector, and the PU jacket and clamp rings form an oil-filled, pressure-balanced watertight structure. SM is used at 450 m water depth and withstands 4.5 MPa hydrostatic pressure when mated.
- Depth
- 450 m
- Pressure rating
- 4.5 MPa mated
- Contacts
- 30 to 67
- Current rating
- 7.5–115 A
- Axial load
- 50,000 N
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Key features
- Load-bearing members for Kevlar strength members; 50,000 N axial pull
- Oil-filled, pressure-balanced structure with PU jacket and clamp rings
- Radial and axial sealing; 4.5 MPa hydrostatic pressure when mated
- Contacts from size 20 (7.5 A) to size 2 (115 A), chosen to your needs
- Titanium shell, 1000 h salt spray
- Custom contact counts, cable types and lengths on request
Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Water depth | 450 m | |
| Hydrostatic pressure, mated | 4.5 MPa | |
| Axial load | 50,000 N |
| Parameter | Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric withstanding voltage | 1500 VAC | |
| Insulation resistance | ≥ 1000 MΩ | Room temperature and after environmental tests |
| Parameter | Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | 500 mating cycles | |
| Vibration | 10–500 Hz, 98 m/s² | |
| Shock | 735 m/s² peak, half-sine, 6 ms | |
| Salt spray | 1000 h | Titanium |
| Mold resistance | Grade 1, 28 days | GJB 150A |
Parameters not listed above — for example vibration level, leak rate or other environmental tests — can be tested to your requirements, including third-party testing.
Versions
| Series code | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SM45 / SM46 / SM66 / SM85 | Outside diameter 45, 46, 66 or 85 mm | |
| SM…T / SM…Z | Plug / receptacle | |
| -01 / -02 | One or two load-bearing holes |
Contact sizes and current ratings
| Contact size | Engaging diameter | Contact resistance | Current rating | Wire size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 1.02 mm | ≤ 7.3 mΩ | 7.5 A | AWG 22, 24, 26 |
| 16 | 1.59 mm | ≤ 3.7 mΩ | 13 A | AWG 20, 22, 24 |
| 14 | 1.93 mm | ≤ 2.5 mΩ | 20 A | AWG 14, 16, 18 |
| 12 | 2.39 mm | ≤ 1.83 mΩ | 26 A | AWG 12, 14, 16 |
| 6 | 5 mm | ≤ 1 mΩ | 65 A | AWG 6, 8, 10 |
| 2 | 7 mm | ≤ 0.6 mΩ | 115 A | AWG 2, 4, 6 |
How to order
SM [size] [type] [contacts] [contact] -[load-bearing holes]
Example: SM46Z44J-01 — 46 mm size, receptacle, 44 pin contacts, one load-bearing hole
| Code segment | Options |
|---|---|
| Size | |
| Type | |
| Contacts | |
| Contact | |
| Load-bearing holes |
Contact counts and terminations
Standard contact counts
- 30
- 44
- 56
- 67
Terminations
- Molded / potted to towed-array cable
Typical applications
- Towed hydrophone and sensor arrays
- Seismic survey streamers
- Oceanographic towed instruments
Frequently asked questions
How much load can SM carry?
50,000 N axial pull through the mated connector, via load-bearing members at both ends connected to the array's strength members.
Why oil-filled?
The oil-filled, pressure-balanced PU jacket keeps the internal pressure equal to the surrounding water, protecting the array electronics.
Related series
Subsea Watertight Cable Assemblies
Vulcanized to cable · up to 70 MPa · single, double and multi-ended
From sample to production
Send your requirements
Part number, drawing, pin-out or a short description of your application.
Configuration and quote
Our engineers match the configuration and reply with a drawing and quotation.
Samples
Samples are built to order. The minimum order quantity is 10 pieces, and samples and production orders each take 4–8 weeks. Third-party testing to your specification is available on request.
Your approval
You test the samples in your own equipment and approve them.
Series production
Production follows the approved sample configuration, with machining, molding, plating and assembly in our own Shenyang factory.
Need a quote or a drawing?
Send your part number, pin-out or drawing. Every inquiry is acknowledged by email within 1 business day, and an engineer follows up with a matched configuration, drawing or quotation.