Subsea and marine · Updated 2026-09-28

Rubber-Molded vs Metal-Shell Underwater Connectors

Rubber-molded connectors

The contacts sit in a molded rubber body; the cable is molded into the plug. Examples: SHX33, SHX34, SHX35 and the rectangular SHX30.

Strengths

• Very high depth ratings — 7000 m for our SHX33/34/35 families;
• wet-mateable (water on the contact faces is displaced during mating);
• simple, light and corrosion-free, because there is little or no metal exposed;
• good for sensors, cameras, lights and ROV/AUV instruments.

Limits

• The rubber body is less robust to impact and abrasion;
• larger contact counts and high currents need bigger bodies;
• locking sleeves are needed where cables may be pulled.

Metal-shell connectors

A titanium, stainless or aluminum-bronze shell carries the insert; seals are O-rings and face seals; cables are molded or vulcanized to a backshell. Examples: SHX4, SHX13, SHX27 and SHX10.

Strengths

• Mechanical strength and positive threaded locking;
• higher currents (SHX4 contacts to 115 A; SHX27 main contacts at 6000 VAC);
• options such as glass-sealed receptacles (SHX10) that stay gas-tight when unmated;
• field-serviceable mechanical backshells.

Limits

• Heavier; metal must be matched to seawater (titanium or suitable bronze and stainless grades);
• depth ratings depend on shell and seal design.

How to choose

Send us depth, current, contact count and cable type and we will suggest a suitable configuration.

Written by the Xinghua Aviation engineering team.