MIL-DTL-5015 Medium Duty Circular Connectors
Threaded circular connectors that carry signal and high-current power in one shell. As an authorized Amphenol distributor, ADMTEC supplies both the solder series (MS3102 · MS3106) and the rear release crimp Matrix series in Korea, with a Certificate of Conformance on every order.
MIL-DTL-5015
What MIL-DTL-5015 covers
MIL-DTL-5015 is the specification for medium to heavy duty environmental cylindrical connectors. They lock with a threaded coupling nut, and a single shell can mix signal contacts with high-current power contacts. The specification was renamed from MIL-C-5015 to MIL-DTL-5015; a drawing carrying either designation refers to the same family.
- Coupling
- Threaded coupling nut (self-locking and quick disconnect on some styles)
- Contact sizes
- #0 · #4 · #8 · #12 · #16
- Insert arrangements
- 128 (searchable table below)
- Supply
- Genuine Amphenol · Certificate of Conformance
Shell Style
The first digits give the shape
MS3102 and MS3106 differ in shape, not in grade. The four digits state where the connector mounts and how.
Shell style codes
| Code | Shape | Backshell |
|---|---|---|
| 3100 | Flange receptacle, rear panel mounting | Yes |
| 3101 | In-line receptacle (cable extension) | Yes |
| 3102 | Flange receptacle | No |
| 3106 | Straight plug | Yes |
| 3107 | Jam nut receptacle, rear panel mounting | No |
| 3108 | 90° angled plug | Yes |
The source is the Amphenol-Air LB VG95234 ordering guide. We confirm how a US MS number maps onto this table on a P/N basis — the shape names share the same vocabulary but the governing documents differ.
- Decide the mounting direction first
Two flange receptacles that look alike can differ in whether the part enters the panel from the front or from the rear, and in whether the flange carries four through holes or four threaded holes. Send the panel thickness and mounting direction with the drawing.
Some shapes carry the backshell in the part numberDetails · tap to expand
3102 and 3107 ship without a backshell. On 3100, 3101, 3106 and 3108 the backshell type is specified inside the part number: cable clamp with bushing, external thread adapter, 360° RF sealed adapter, heat shrink boot backshell, and PG or metric internal thread adapters are each separate codes.
Solder / Crimp
Solder series and Matrix crimp series
Two generations live side by side under this specification: the older series with soldered contacts, and the Matrix series with rear release crimp contacts. The Amphenol catalogue presents Matrix as an improved alternative to the older MIL-C-5015 solder type.
⚠️ Class U and Class K on an old drawing are no longer current. Per the catalogue, Class L replaced the older Class U, and Class K is inactive and has been replaced by Class KT for all applications. Ordering the old designation as written may not resolve to a part.
🔴 The two generations intermate. The catalogue states it directly — the MS345( ) series is intermateable with existing MIL-DTL-5015 solder or crimp versions already installed on equipment. You can maintain legacy hardware while moving new harnesses to crimp.
Matrix shell styles — military and commercial numbers7 styles
| Military | Commercial | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| MS3450 | 9440 | Wall mounting receptacle |
| MS3451 | 9441 | Cable connecting receptacle |
| MS3452 | 9442 | Box mounting receptacle |
| MS3454 | 9444 | Jam nut receptacle |
| MS3456 | 9446 | Straight plug |
| MS3459 | 9816 | Straight plug, self-locking coupling nut |
| — | 9817 · 9818 | Quick disconnect push-pull plug (with · without lanyard) |
Service class — shell material and finish5 classes
| Code | Shell · finish | Insert |
|---|---|---|
| L | Aluminium · electroless nickel | Fluid resistant |
| W | Aluminium · cadmium olive drab | Fluid resistant |
| LS | Stainless steel · passivated | Fluid resistant |
| KT | Firewall steel shell · cadmium/olive drab | Non-flammable hard dielectric · fluid resistant |
| KS | Firewall stainless steel · passivated | Non-flammable hard dielectric · fluid resistant |
Firewall classes (KT · KS) are available on shell styles 3450, 3456 and 3459 only.
- RADSOK contacts raise the current rating
Swapping only the contacts for RADSOK in the same shell takes size #8 from 46 A to 70 A, #4 from 80 A to 120 A, and #0 from 150 A to 250 A. The catalogue states up to 40% increased current carrying capability, with an operating temperature recommended up to 150 °C.
Two cadmium alternativesDetails · tap to expand
Durmalon (nickel PTFE) meets 500 hours of dynamic salt spray combined with 500 mating cycles, the same as olive drab cadmium plating, and carries a 200 °C temperature rating. Black Zinc Nickel is a RoHS compliant non-reflective conductive black finish approved for 500 hours salt spray and qualified by the DLA. Either is a candidate where procurement documents exclude cadmium.
German Standard
VG95234 — the German equivalent
European equipment drawings call the same shapes VG95234. Amphenol-Air LB builds them as the GCB-B series. A short part number is normal — the contact, plating and shell specification segments each fall back to a default when omitted (metric crimp silver plated, aluminium with cadmium, rear panel mounting with four through holes), so VG95234B1-28-20SN stands on its own.
VG95234 part number — what each segment means10 segments
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42① Series — GCB-B (reverse bayonet)
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42② Shell style — Straight connector (3100 · 3101 · 3102 · 3107 · 3108)
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42③ Backshell — Cable clamp with bushing
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42④ Shell size – contact arrangement — Shell 32, arrangement 6
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑤ Connection — Socket (P = pin)
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑥ Angular position — Standard (W · X · Y · Z = rotated)
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑦ Locking — Reverse bayonet
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑧ Contacts — Metric crimp, gold plated
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑨ Plating — Aluminium, nickel plated
- GCB3106E-32-6SNB-C1-F1-T42⑩ Shell specification — Without backshell
Several segments may be omitted — leave out the contacts and you get metric crimp silver plated, leave out the plating and you get aluminium with cadmium, leave out the shell specification and you get rear panel mounting with four through holes.
Backshell · contact · plating codes22 codes
| Segment | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Backshell | E- | Cable clamp with bushing |
| Backshell | F- | External thread adapter |
| Backshell | FG- | External thread adapter · 360° RF sealed |
| Backshell | M- | Shield connection · heat shrink boots |
| Backshell | PG- | PG internal thread adapter |
| Backshell | PM- | Metric internal thread adapter |
| Backshell | T- | Heat shrink boot backshell |
| Backshell | TG- | Heat shrink boot backshell · 360° RF sealed |
| Contacts | omit | Metric crimp, silver plated |
| Contacts | -C1 | Metric crimp, gold plated |
| Contacts | -C2 | AWG crimp, silver plated |
| Contacts | -C3 | AWG crimp, gold plated |
| Contacts | -C6 | Without contacts |
| Contacts | -C7 | AWG and metric mixed |
| Plating | omit | Aluminium · cadmium |
| Plating | -F1 | Aluminium · nickel |
| Plating | -F2 | Aluminium · zinc-cobalt (black greenish) |
| Plating | -F6 | Marine bronze |
| Plating | -F7 | Stainless steel · passivated |
| Plating | -F8 | Aluminium · zinc-tin and/or black anodized |
| Shell spec | -T1 | Front panel mounting (3102) |
| Shell spec | -T2 | Rear panel mounting, four threaded holes (3100 · 3102) |
Metric contact sizes 15, 15S and 25 also suit AWG #16, #16S and #12, so -C2 is not used on those sizes. Backshells do not apply to shell styles 3102 and 3107.
Insert Arrangement
Finding an insert arrangement
In a part number such as 18-10 the first figure is the shell size and the second is the insert arrangement. Look up the arrangement below for the total contact count and the contact size breakdown.
Insert arrangement lookup128 arrangements
| Arrangement | Service rating | Total contacts | Contacts by size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8S-1 | A | 1 | #16×1 |
| 10S-2 | A | 1 | #16×1 |
| 10SL-3 | A | 3 | #16×3 |
| 10SL-4 | A | 2 | #16×2 |
| 12-5 | D | 1 | #12×1 |
| 12S-1 | A | 2 | #16×2 |
| 12S-2 | A | 2 | #16×2 |
| 12S-3 | A | 2 | #16×2 |
| 12S-4 | D | 1 | #16×1 |
| 14-3 | A | 1 | #8×1 |
| 14S-2 | Inst. | 4 | #16×4 |
| 14S-5 | Inst. | 5 | #16×5 |
| 14S-6 | Inst. | 6 | #16×6 |
| 14S-7 | A | 3 | #16×3 |
| 14S-9‡ | A | 2 | #16×2 |
| 14S-10 | Inst. | 4 | #16×4 |
| 14S-11 | Inst. | 4 | #16×4 |
| 14S-12 | A | 3 | #16×3 |
| 14S-13 | A | 3 | #16×3 |
| 16-2† | E | 1 | #12×1 |
| 16-9 | A | 4 | #12×2 · #16×2 |
| 16-10 | A | 3 | #12×3 |
| 16-11 | A | 2 | #12×2 |
| 16-12 | A | 1 | #4×1 |
| 16-13 | A | 2 | #12×2 |
| 16S-1 | A | 7 | #16×7 |
| 16S-8 | A | 5 | #16×5 |
| 18-1 | A/Inst. | 10 | #16×10 |
| 18-4 | D | 4 | #16×4 |
| 18-6† | D | 1 | #4×1 |
| 18-8 | A | 8 | #12×1 · #16×7 |
| 18-9 | Inst. | 7 | #12×2 · #16×5 |
| 18-10‡ | A | 4 | #12×4 |
| 18-11 | A | 5 | #12×5 |
| 18-12 | A | 6 | #16×6 |
| 18-13 | A | 4 | #8×1 · #12×3 |
| 18-15 | A | 4 | #12×4 |
| 18-17 | Inst. | 7 | #12×2 · #16×5 |
| 18-18 | Inst. | 7 | #12×2 · #16×5 |
| 18-19‡ | A | 10 | #16×10 |
| 18-22‡ | D | 3 | #16×3 |
| 18-23 | A/Inst. | 10 | #16×10 |
| 18-24 | A/Inst. | 10 | #16×10 |
| 18-27§ | D | 3 | #12×2 · #16×1 |
| 18-28§ | D | 3 | #12×2 · #16×1 |
| 20-2 | D | 1 | #0×1 |
| 20-4 | D | 4 | #12×4 |
| 20-7 | D/A | 8 | #16×8 |
| 20-8 | Inst. | 6 | #8×2 · #16×4 |
| 20-14 | A | 5 | #8×2 · #12×3 |
| 20-15 | A | 7 | #12×7 |
| 20-16 | A | 9 | #12×2 · #16×7 |
| 20-17 | A | 6 | #12×5 · #16×1 |
| 20-18 | A | 9 | #12×3 · #16×6 |
| 20-19 | A | 3 | #8×3 |
| 20-21 | A | 9 | #12×1 · #16×8 |
| 20-22 | A | 6 | #8×3 · #16×3 |
| 20-24 | A | 4 | #8×2 · #16×2 |
| 20-27 | A | 14 | #16×14 |
| 20-29 | A | 17 | #16×17 |
| 20-32 | D/A | 8 | #16×8 |
| 20-33 | A | 11 | #16×11 |
| 22-2 | D | 3 | #8×3 |
| 22-5 | D | 6 | #12×2 · #16×4 |
| 22-6† | D | 3 | #8×2 · #16×1 |
| 22-7† | E | 1 | #0×1 |
| 22-10† | E | 4 | #16×4 |
| 22-11† | B | 2 | #16×2 |
| 22-14 | A | 19 | #16×19 |
| 22-19 | A | 14 | #16×14 |
| 22-21 | A | 3 | #0×1 · #16×2 |
| 22-22 | A | 4 | #8×4 |
| 22-23 | D/A | 8 | #12×8 |
| 22-30 | A | 19 | #16×19 |
| 22-32 | D | 6 | #12×2 · #16×4 |
| 24-2 | D | 7 | #12×7 |
| 24-5‡ | A | 16 | #16×16 |
| 24-7 | A | 16 | #12×2 · #16×14 |
| 24-10 | A | 7 | #8×7 |
| 24-11 | A | 9 | #8×3 · #12×6 |
| 24-12 | A | 5 | #4×2 · #12×3 |
| 24-15 | A | 16 | #16×16 |
| 24-20 | D | 11 | #12×2 · #16×9 |
| 24-22 | D | 4 | #8×4 |
| 24-24 | A | 16 | #16×16 |
| 24-28 | Inst. | 24 | #16×24 |
| 28-1 | D/A | 9 | #8×3 · #12×6 |
| 28-2 | D | 14 | #12×2 · #16×12 |
| 28-9 | D | 12 | #12×6 · #16×6 |
| 28-10 | D/A | 7 | #4×2 · #8×2 · #12×3 |
| 28-11 | A | 22 | #12×4 · #16×18 |
| 28-12 | A | 26 | #16×26 |
| 28-13 | A | 26 | #16×26 |
| 28-15 | A | 35 | #16×35 |
| 28-17 | B/D/A | 15 | #16×15 |
| 28-19† | B/D/A | 10 | #12×4 · #16×6 |
| 28-20 | A | 14 | #12×10 · #16×4 |
| 28-21 | A | 37 | #16×37 |
| 28-22 | D | 6 | #4×3 · #16×3 |
| 32-1 | E/D | 5 | #0×2 · #12×3 |
| 32-6 | A | 23 | #4×2 · #8×3 · #12×2 · #16×16 |
| 32-7 | Inst./A | 35 | #12×7 · #16×28 |
| 32-9 | D | 14 | #4×2 · #16×12 |
| 32-13 | D | 23 | #12×5 · #16×18 |
| 32-15 | D | 8 | #0×2 · #12×6 |
| 32-16 | A | 23 | #4×2 · #8×3 · #12×2 · #16×16 |
| 32-17 | D | 4 | #4×4 |
| 32-19 | E/D | 5 | #0×2 · #12×3 |
| 32-63 | D | 5 | #0×5 |
| 32-73 | A | 46 | #12×46 |
| 36-3 | D | 6 | #0×3 · #8×3 |
| 36-5 | A | 4 | #0×4 |
| 36-6 | A | 6 | #0×4 |
| 36-7 | A | 47 | #8×7 · #12×40 |
| 36-8 | A | 47 | #8×1 · #12×46 |
| 36-9 | A | 31 | #0×1 · #4×2 · #8×14 · #12×14 |
| 36-10 | A | 48 | #12×48 |
| 36-11 | A | 48 | #12×48 |
| 36-12 | A | 48 | #12×48 |
| 36-15 | D/A | 35 | #12×35 |
| 36-16 | A | 47 | #8×7 · #12×40 |
| 36-17 | A | 47 | #8×7 · #12×40 |
| 36-18 | A | 31 | #0×1 · #4×2 · #8×14 · #12×14 |
| 36-21 | A | 31 | #0×1 · #4×2 · #8×14 · #12×14 |
| 36-52 | A | 52 | #12×52 |
| 40-1 | D | 30 | #8×6 · #12×24 |
| 40-9 | A | 47 | #4×1 · #8×22 · #12×24 |
| 40-56 | A | 85 | #12×85 |
This table follows the Matrix catalogue. VG95234 keeps its own arrangement list, so a few arrangements not shown here (20-23 and 22-27, for example) exist on that side. Ask us about any arrangement you cannot find. Catalogue footnotes are carried as symbols — † consult the manufacturer for availability, ‡ inactive for new design (legacy maintenance), § socket only. The service rating column reproduces the catalogue notation.
Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MS connector the same thing as MIL-DTL-5015?
Yes — they are two names for the same family. The specification number is MIL-DTL-5015 (formerly MIL-C-5015), and because the part numbers begin MS3102, MS3106 and so on, the shop floor calls them MS connectors. Send us either designation and we will work from it.
Should I order MS3102 or MS3106?
The difference is shape, not grade. 3102 is a flange receptacle that mounts on a panel; 3106 is a straight plug that terminates a cable. A typical pair puts 3102 on the equipment and 3106 on the cable. If you are unsure, send the mounting location and a photograph.
Can a crimp connector mate with an older solder connector?
Yes. The manufacturer's catalogue states that the Matrix crimp series (MS345 family) is intermateable with MIL-DTL-5015 solder or crimp versions already installed on equipment. The shell size, insert arrangement and pin or socket configuration still have to match, so we confirm those against the P/N.
My drawing says Class U or Class K.
Neither is a current designation. Per the catalogue, Class L replaced the older Class U, and Class K became inactive and was replaced by Class KT for all applications. Ordering the old designation as written may not resolve to a part, so send us the drawing and we will match it to the current notation.
Our specification excludes cadmium plating. What are the alternatives?
There are two. Durmalon (nickel PTFE) meets 500 hours of dynamic salt spray with 500 mating cycles and carries a 200 °C rating. Black Zinc Nickel is a RoHS compliant black conductive finish approved for 500 hours salt spray and qualified by the DLA. Tell us which clause your procurement document uses and we will identify the right one.
Our drawing is European and calls out VG95234. Can you supply it in Korea?
Yes. Amphenol-Air LB builds the family as the GCB-B series and ADMTEC supplies it as an authorized distributor. A short part number is normal — the contact, plating and shell specification segments fall back to defaults when omitted. Send the part number exactly as the drawing shows it.
I have the part in hand but no part number. Can you still quote?
Yes. Send a photograph of the shell marking and we can identify the family and shell style from it. The marking will not tell us the termination or the backshell configuration, so a drawing alongside it makes the answer more precise. A manufacturer's own number on the drawing works just as well.
Do you supply a Certificate of Conformance?
Yes. Every order ships with a Certificate of Conformance covering the genuine source, lot number, quantity and inspection record. What it contains, and the authorization certificate itself, are published on the Authorized Distributor page.
Specification sources3 documents · tap to expand
Matrix rear release crimp series: Amphenol Aerospace │ MIL-DTL-5015, Matrix catalogue (32 pp.) · VG95234 (German standard): Amphenol-Air LB │ GCB-B catalogue (57 pp.) · ordering guide (rev. 2026-05-05) · Solder series availability · distributor stock: Amphenol Industrial Operations parts search (checked 2026-09-09). We confirm the latest revision and the exact applicable specification with you when we quote.