Micro-D Connectors: MIL-DTL-83513 Specs and Selection Guide
StorySeptember 01, 2026
Micro-D connectors are microminiature rectangular electrical connectors with a polarized mating interface and 0.050-inch (1.27 mm) contact spacing. The family includes military-qualified MIL-DTL-83513 connectors and commercial variants. Choosing a Micro-D requires more than matching the contact count: termination, mounting, electrical performance and qualification must fit the application.
For an engineer, the useful question is not simply whether a connector is small and rugged. It is whether a particular connector pair, cable assembly and mounting arrangement satisfy the design requirements together. This guide separates standardized configurations from manufacturer-specific options and provides drawings, part-number examples and a selection checklist.
Reference status: DLA’s general-specification record identifies MIL-DTL-83513H with Amendment 2, dated September 13, 2023. Individual specification sheets have their own revision histories. Check the applicable issue and qualification record when specifying or purchasing a part. DLA revision history.
Micro-D connector specifications at a glance
Values below are reference points, not a universal rating for every product called Micro-D. Manufacturer examples are identified so that a commercial, high-temperature or high-speed variant does not inherit an inappropriate specification.
| Parameter | Reference value or configuration | Qualification and source |
|---|---|---|
| Mating-contact pitch | 0.050 in / 1.27 mm | Not necessarily the PCB-tail pitch. Micro-D overview. |
| Common standard contact arrangements | 9, 15, 21, 25, 31, 37, 51 and 100 | Availability varies by slash sheet; the plastic-shell examples stop at 51. Metal-shell ordering table; plastic-shell family. |
| Current per contact | 3 A in conventional families | Apply the selected product’s rating and the system’s thermal limits; do not extend this to every proprietary variant. Amphenol specifications. |
| Operating temperature | -55 to +125 °C in the referenced MDM PCB family | Higher-temperature constructions are separate options. ITT specifications. |
| Dielectric withstand | 600 VAC at sea level; 150 VAC at 70,000 ft in referenced families | These are test levels, not blanket continuous operating-voltage ratings. Amphenol specifications. |
| Operating voltage | Part-specific | ITT lists 400 VAC for the referenced MDM PCB product, separately from dielectric withstand. ITT specifications. |
| Insulation resistance | 5,000 megohms minimum in the cited flex-mount family | Omnetics specifies a 500 VDC test condition. Omnetics specifications. |
| Wire size | 26 AWG maximum conductor size for the referenced /1 and /2 solder cups | Check wire construction, insulation clearance and termination instructions. Glenair drawing. |
| Mating durability | 500 cycles in the referenced MDM PCB family | Other products publish different durability figures. ITT specifications. |
| Contact materials and plating | Glenair example: beryllium-copper pin, phosphor-bronze socket; minimum 50 microinches (1.27 micrometers) of gold over nickel | Manufacturer-specific construction, not a universal description of every Micro-D. Glenair materials. |
| Shell options | Metal and plastic families | Shell material affects the mechanical interface and available shielding arrangements. DLA-linked configuration index below. |
| Qualification | Qualified and non-qualified product offerings exist | Verify the selected government designation and manufacturing source in DLA’s database. QPD. |
A 69-contact or higher-count commercial Micro-D is not automatically a standard M83513 configuration. ITT, for example, markets a 69-position MDM option, while Glenair’s broader Micro-D portfolio extends beyond the standard arrangements listed above. Check the exact product drawing and qualification scope. ITT MDM overview; Glenair overview.
Micro-D, MIL-DTL-83513 and QPL: what is the difference?
Micro-D describes a connector family and interface format. MIL-DTL-83513 is the military detail specification associated with polarized microminiature rectangular connectors. M83513 appears in military part designations. A slash sheet identifies a particular configuration, such as a metal-shell solder-cup receptacle or a narrow-profile right-angle PCB plug. General specification; DLA /2 record; DLA /10 record.
QPL-qualified is a sourcing distinction, not a synonym for “looks like a Micro-D.” DLA’s Qualified Products Database provides government designations and qualification information. A supplier’s statement that a commercial connector is compatible with, designed to meet or tested against MIL-DTL-83513 does not, by itself, establish that the exact product is listed. DLA QPD.
Treat qualification as a procurement checkpoint: record the ordered designation, the manufacturer and qualified production location, and any listing restrictions. For a commercial alternative, ask which requirements were tested, which were not and what evidence supports interchangeability. Do not replace a qualified part with a visually similar commercial part without the program’s approval.
How Micro-D connectors are constructed
A conventional assembly includes a polarized shell, an insulating insert, mating pin and socket contacts, rear terminations, and retention hardware. Cable versions may add a backshell, shield termination and strain relief; PCB versions add a terminal block and board-mount features. These features must be checked together rather than selected independently. Glenair cable family; PCB family; hardware drawings.
Twist pins are common, but not universal
There is no single contact construction shared by every Micro-D manufacturer. Glenair documents TwistPin contacts; Amphenol Canada describes a precision stamped-and-formed pin contact; Omnetics uses its spring-contact technology; and Molex describes a four-point contact system for AirBorn M Series products. Glenair; Amphenol; Omnetics; Molex/AirBorn.
The engineering comparison should therefore address the specified contact system, its test conditions and the finished assembly. A generic statement about the number of contact points does not demonstrate superior reliability in every application.
Also distinguish contact gender from the apparent shell shape. Select a documented pin/socket mating pair, not a connector based on which shell looks male or female. Use the manufacturer’s mating-face drawing to establish orientation. Contact arrangements.
Micro-D vs. Nano-D vs. D-sub connectors
These families offer different packaging and termination choices. The table uses specific documented examples where there is no universal family-wide rating.
| Attribute | Micro-D | Nano-D | Standard-density D-sub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference contact pitch | 1.27 mm / 0.050 in | 0.635 mm / 0.025 in | 2.77 mm / 0.109 in in the cited TE example |
| Associated military specification | MIL-DTL-83513 | MIL-DTL-32139 | MIL-DTL-24308 |
| Example current rating | 3 A, conventional Amphenol family | 1 A, cited Omnetics family | 7.5 A, cited TE military part |
| Wire/termination example | 26 AWG solder-cup maximum in the cited /1 and /2 family | 30 AWG standard wire in the cited family | Depends on selected contact and termination |
| Packaging advantage | Compact multi-contact signal interface | Finer pitch for tighter packaging | More space for some contact and termination options |
| Selection limitation | Small terminations; exact board footprint matters | Finer wire and tighter assembly constraints | Larger mating pitch; evaluate actual installed envelope |
| Environmental suitability | Depends on product and qualification | Depends on product and qualification | Depends on product and qualification |
Sources: Micro-D electrical example; Micro-D solder cups; Nano-D specification; Omnetics Nano-D example; TE M24308/4-4Z example.
Do not describe all D-sub connectors as 2.54 mm-pitch products. The standard-density TE part above uses 2.77 mm pitch. Nor does a larger shell guarantee the same current rating across products: TE lists a different commercial D-sub example at 2 A. Military example; commercial example.
For size and weight, compare the actual installed assemblies: both connector halves, mounting hardware, backshells, cable exit and service clearance. A pitch ratio is not a reliable volume or weight ratio. Choose Nano-D when its packaging advantage survives the electrical and assembly checks; retain D-sub when the selected contact system, installed base or service requirements favor it.
Micro-D connector dimensions
There is no single Micro-D width, depth or PCB footprint. The following manufacturer-drawing example covers Glenair’s metal-shell /1 pin connectors. It is a packaging reference, not a replacement for a controlled part drawing.
| Contacts | Maximum overall flange width, A: in (mm) | Mounting-hole centers, B: in (mm) | Maximum flange height, E: in (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0.785 (19.94) | 0.565 (14.35) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 15 | 0.935 (23.75) | 0.715 (18.16) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 21 | 1.085 (27.56) | 0.865 (21.97) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 25 | 1.185 (30.10) | 0.965 (24.51) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 31 | 1.335 (33.91) | 1.115 (28.32) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 37 | 1.485 (37.72) | 1.265 (32.13) | 0.310 (7.87) |
| 51 | 1.435 (36.45) | 1.215 (30.86) | 0.351 (8.92) |
| 100 | 2.170 (55.12) | 1.800 (45.72) | 0.394 (10.01) |
Source: Glenair /1 and /2 drawing, page 1. Metric values above were calculated from the inch dimensions and rounded to two decimals. B has a drawing tolerance of +/-0.003 in, not a maximum-value designation. The table does not describe the entire mated installation.
The drawing’s maximum axial dimension G is 0.416 in for the pin connector and 0.429 in for the corresponding socket construction. Use its labeled views for mounting-hole diameters, mating-shell dimensions and solder-cup clearance. Obtain the current drawing before releasing a design. Dimensioned views.
PCB footprints and row spacing
The mating contact pitch does not define the board footprint. The documented nine-position /13-A socket footprint, for example, has 0.565-inch mounting centers and termination-row spacing of 0.100 inch. The footprint is explicitly viewed from the connector mounting side of the PCB. Glenair PCB layouts, page 4.
Use the full drawing for pad positions, stagger offsets, lead numbering and hole requirements. Do not turn a tail-diameter dimension into a finished-drill specification. For mating-row spacing, use the selected interface drawing rather than copying a board-tail spacing.
The Glenair CAD and product resource hub and ITT MDM resource page provide routes to product-specific design resources. Validate any downloaded footprint against the exact ordered designation and drawing revision.
Jackscrews, jackposts and installed clearance
The referenced /5 hardware catalog includes #2-56 and #4-40 hardware for different connector arrangements. Specify thread size, hardware style and engagement using the applicable kit and connector drawing. Do not apply one torque value to every Micro-D. Hardware reference.
Reserve space for the mating connector, screwdriver or hex-key access, cable bend radius, strain relief and removal. A connector that fits on a bare board may still be impossible to cable or service in the finished enclosure.
Micro-D connector pinout
Micro-D defines a physical interconnect, not a universal signal assignment. A numbered contact arrangement tells you where contacts are; the equipment’s interface-control document must tell you which contact carries power, ground or a signal.
For a conventional nine-position pin connector viewed at its mating face, with the wider side of the D-shaped interface at the top, the numbering is:
Mating-face view: PIN connector, nine contacts
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
This is an orientation aid, not a fabrication drawing. It follows the manufacturer’s pin-face arrangement. A socket mating-face view and a rear termination view require their own correctly oriented drawings. Contact-arrangement reference.
A cable drawing should identify both endpoint part numbers, contact numbers, signal names, pair assignments, shields and the viewing direction. A nine-position Micro-D does not inherit the signal assignments of a nine-position D-sub serial port simply because both have nine contacts.
For differential links, reserve contacts for the required returns and grounds before choosing the shell size. Review the pin assignment with the channel design, rather than filling the connector sequentially and addressing signal integrity afterward.
Micro-D connector types and M83513 slash sheets
The table below maps /1 through /33, including /5, which covers hardware rather than a connector body. Each slash-sheet identifier links to its DLA document record. The record provides the configuration title and revision history; the controlling issue remains the procurement reference.
In the contact-count column, 9-37 means the discrete arrangements 9, 15, 21, 25, 31 and 37, not every integer in that range. 9-100 adds 51 and 100. 9-51 adds 51 but not 100.
| Slash sheet | Shell | Contacts | Contact gender | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M83513/1 | Metal | 9-100 | Pin | Solder cup |
| M83513/2 | Metal | 9-100 | Socket | Solder cup |
| M83513/3 | Metal | 9-100 | Pin | Prewired crimp |
| M83513/4 | Metal | 9-100 | Socket | Prewired crimp |
| M83513/5 | Hardware | See kit | Not applicable | Mating and mounting hardware |
| M83513/6 | Plastic | 9-51 | Pin | Solder cup |
| M83513/7 | Plastic | 9-51 | Socket | Solder cup |
| M83513/8 | Plastic | 9-51 | Pin | Prewired crimp |
| M83513/9 | Plastic | 9-51 | Socket | Prewired crimp |
| M83513/10 | Metal | 9-37 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/11 | Metal | 51 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/12 | Metal | 100 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/13 | Metal | 9-37 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/14 | Metal | 51 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/15 | Metal | 100 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, narrow profile |
| M83513/16 | Metal | 9-37 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/17 | Metal | 51 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/18 | Metal | 100 | Pin | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/19 | Metal | 9-37 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/20 | Metal | 51 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/21 | Metal | 100 | Socket | PCB, right-angle, standard profile |
| M83513/22 | Metal | 9-37 | Pin | PCB, straight |
| M83513/23 | Metal | 51 | Pin | PCB, straight |
| M83513/24 | Metal | 100 | Pin | PCB, straight |
| M83513/25 | Metal | 9-37 | Socket | PCB, straight |
| M83513/26 | Metal | 51 | Socket | PCB, straight |
| M83513/27 | Metal | 100 | Socket | PCB, straight |
| M83513/28 | Metal | 9-37 | Pin | PCB, straight, standard profile |
| M83513/29 | Metal | 51 | Pin | PCB, straight, standard profile |
| M83513/30 | Metal | 100 | Pin | PCB, straight, standard profile |
| M83513/31 | Metal | 9-37 | Socket | PCB, straight, standard profile |
| M83513/32 | Metal | 51 | Socket | PCB, straight, standard profile |
| M83513/33 | Metal | 100 | Socket | PCB, straight, standard profile |
For drawings and ordering examples, use the manufacturer references for metal solder-cup, metal prewired, plastic solder-cup, plastic prewired, narrow right-angle PCB, standard right-angle PCB, straight PCB /22-/27 and straight PCB /28-/33. These are vendor documents, not substitutes for the current DLA sheets.
Profile terminology needs care. DLA titles /28-/33 as straight, standard-profile configurations, while Glenair markets its corresponding implementation as condensed straight PCB. Select by slash sheet and dimensions, not by the word “condensed” alone. DLA /28; manufacturer drawing.
Also, do not assume plastic-shell and metal-shell Micro-D products intermate. Glenair explicitly states that its /8 and /9 plastic-shell connectors do not mate with metal-shell connectors. Surface-mount, latching, mixed-contact, filtered and other proprietary products require their own documentation and qualification check. Plastic-shell limitation; commercial options.
Micro-D part-number decoder: how to read M83513
A military part designation is decoded using its own slash sheet. A position in one part-number format can mean something different in another.
PCB example: M83513/13-B02NP
This example appears in Glenair’s /10-/15 ordering guide.
| Element | Meaning in this example |
|---|---|
| M83513 | Military connector part-number series |
| /13 | Narrow-profile, right-angle PCB receptacle with socket contacts, in the 9-37-contact group |
| B | 15-contact arrangement |
| 02 | 0.140-inch nominal PCB tail length |
| N | Electroless-nickel shell finish |
| P | Jackposts installed |
The published tail-length tolerance is +/-0.015 inch. Finish permissions, hardware details and all remaining requirements must be checked against the applicable issue of /13. Ordering example; DLA /13 record.
Prewired example: M83513/04-B09N
In the manufacturer’s printed example, /04 identifies the metal-shell socket connector, B identifies 15 contacts, 09 selects 18-inch white M22759/33-26 wire leads, and N identifies electroless nickel. The wire code contains information that does not appear in the PCB example. Prewired ordering table.
Do not append an assumed universal “modification code.” Commercial prefixes, custom suffixes, screening options and backshell codes can be manufacturer-specific. Preserve the complete designation on the drawing and purchase order, including hardware and cable-assembly requirements that may be specified separately.
How to select a Micro-D connector
Use the following sequence as an engineering worksheet. It is a screening method, not an automatic approval or current-derating calculation.
1. Define the interface before counting contacts. List signals, power rails, grounds, shields, differential pairs and reserves. Record continuous current, transients, operating voltage and the relevant waveform or protocol.
2. Establish the qualification requirement. Decide whether a listed M83513 product is mandatory, whether a tested commercial variant is acceptable, or whether the application needs additional screening and documentation. Resolve this before comparing prices.
3. Choose the mating pair and termination. Select pin and socket halves together. For solder cups, check wire fit and assembly access. For prewired parts, specify wire type and lead length. For PCB parts, specify orientation, tail length, mounting and footprint. The source drawings distinguish these configurations explicitly. Solder-cup; prewired; PCB ordering.
4. Check the entire installation. Include panel cutout, fasteners, tolerance stack, mating travel, tool access, cable exit and service space. Confirm which part supports the cable load and which features locate the connector.
5. Validate electrical and thermal performance. Evaluate the actual number of energized contacts, wire bundle, enclosure temperature and duty cycle. A per-contact catalog rating is not permission to load every contact to that figure in any environment. Treat the connector and harness as one current path.
6. Define environmental acceptance. State the shock and vibration profile, temperature exposure, moisture or fluid exposure, corrosion environment and sealing requirement. “Military” and “space” are application descriptions, not complete acceptance criteria.
7. Obtain assembly-level evidence where it matters. For a high-speed link, request channel data using the intended pin assignment and cable. For a pressure boundary, specify leakage. For vacuum hardware, review the complete material and processing configuration.
8. Freeze the sourcing package. Save the part drawing, qualification evidence, mating-part definition, assembly instructions, approved alternates and inspection criteria. Use that package when requesting quotations or approving substitutions.
The accompanying Micro-D configuration preselector implements the initial configuration mapping. Its output is a set of candidate slash sheets and validation questions, not a certified part recommendation.
Electrical ratings: current, voltage and contact resistance
Current rating and derating
Conventional Micro-D families commonly publish 3 A per contact, but the ordered product is the reference. For example, Glenair’s GHSM high-speed family uses 1 A contacts. A high-speed product must not inherit a conventional Micro-D current rating merely because its name contains Micro-D. Conventional family; GHSM specifications.
Build the thermal check around the complete path: contact, termination, conductor and nearby heat sources. Ask the supplier for applicable temperature-rise or derating information when the design approaches a rating. Do not create a universal percentage-derating table without the underlying test data and assumptions.
Working voltage is not dielectric withstand
A dielectric-withstand test applies a defined stress under stated conditions. It is not interchangeable with continuous operating voltage. ITT’s cited MDM PCB specification separates a 400 VAC operating rating from 600 VAC sea-level and 150 VAC high-altitude withstand values. Those two altitude test points are not a complete voltage-versus-altitude curve. ITT electrical specifications.
Contact resistance requires a test definition
A resistance value must identify the measurement path and conditions. Glenair distinguishes contact resistance from low-level contact resistance and from wire-inclusive voltage-drop testing. Omnetics’ flex-mount example publishes 65 mV at 2.5 A, equivalent by Ohm’s law to 26 milliohms for that stated measurement. Do not compare unlike test paths as though they measure the same quantity. Glenair test definitions; Omnetics test conditions.
Shock, vibration, shielding and space applications
Intermittent continuity is not the same as data integrity
The cited Omnetics family specifies discontinuity limits under shock and vibration, including no interruption longer than 1 microsecond in the stated tests. That is a continuity-test criterion, not proof that a particular digital channel will operate without errors. Define the mechanical profile and electrical monitoring appropriate to the application. Omnetics performance data.
Shielding and environmental sealing are separate requirements
A metal shell alone does not establish the shielding effectiveness of the installed cable assembly. Glenair’s 65 dB shielding figure is tied to a mated metal-shell pair with an optional ground spring and a named test method. It should not be presented as a universal Micro-D specification floor. Glenair shielding test conditions.
Likewise, an ordinary Micro-D should not be described as inherently hermetic. Dedicated hermetic configurations exist and have their own construction and selection requirements. Specify the needed ingress or leak performance for the complete installation. Hermetic product family.
Space suitability requires material and process review
NASA’s outgassing guidance uses screening criteria including total mass loss of no more than 1% and collected volatile condensable material of no more than 0.10%, with testing associated with ASTM E595. These criteria address material outgassing; they are not a blanket approval of a connector for every space mission. NASA outgassing guide; ASTM E595 scope and limitations.
Review the selected insulator, adhesive, potting, cable insulation and processing state. A generic family-level “space” description does not establish that a particular assembled harness has the required materials, screening, traceability or mission suitability.
High-speed Micro-D connectors
A standard Micro-D designation does not assign a universal data rate or controlled differential impedance. High-speed variants require a defined connector geometry, pin assignment and cable/PCB transition.
One documented example is Glenair GHSM, which the manufacturer specifies for up to 15 Gbit/s per differential pair. It uses an open pinfield and Nano TwistPin contacts, with a 1 A contact rating and a maximum 28 AWG wire size. Those are GHSM product characteristics, not ratings for every MIL-DTL-83513 connector. GHSM product and engineering resources.
For a high-speed design review, request differential-impedance information, insertion and return loss, crosstalk data, relevant S-parameters and the test or model configuration. Confirm cable length, pair routing, board launch and protocol acceptance at the assembly level. A catalog data-rate headline is not sufficient to approve an arbitrary pinout or harness.
Where Micro-D connectors are used
Manufacturer portfolios address avionics, defense, space and other high-reliability equipment. The application label narrows the questions to ask; it does not select a qualified configuration by itself. ITT portfolio; Omnetics portfolio; Molex/AirBorn portfolio.
Use the following priorities as a design-review starting point, not a statement that every product suits every application.
| Application | Questions to resolve early |
|---|---|
| Avionics and uncrewed-platform payloads | Installed mass and clearance; harness support; temperature, altitude and vibration requirements |
| Radar, electronic warfare and rugged computing | Signal assignment; shielding and returns; channel performance; board-launch and cable geometry |
| Satellites and space instruments | Assembly materials and processing; outgassing; traceability; screening and mission-specific approval |
| Robotics, instrumentation and test equipment | Cable motion and strain relief; mating frequency; handling access; maintainability and replacement sourcing |
Micro-D connector manufacturers
This is a comparison of documented product approaches, not a best-to-worst ranking. Manufacturer family descriptions do not independently verify the qualification of every part they sell. Check the selected designation and production source in DLA’s database where qualification is required.
| Manufacturer / brand | Documented product approach | What to investigate for a design |
|---|---|---|
| Glenair | MIL-DTL-83513 families, commercial Micro-D products, dedicated high-speed and hermetic variants | Standard versus proprietary interface; exact termination, materials and qualification scope. Family index. |
| Amphenol Canada | M83513 family with precision stamped-and-formed contacts; cable and board terminations | The particular Amphenol division, product family, mating configuration and supporting qualification evidence. Product family. |
| ITT Cannon | MDM Micro-D portfolio with Twist Pin technology and multiple termination styles | Standard arrangements versus additional commercial options; drawing and assembly availability. MDM overview. |
| Omnetics | Micro-D spring-contact families, including low-profile, latching and specialized terminations | Standard qualified configuration versus modified geometry; selected family’s durability and mounting requirements. Product portfolio. |
| TE Connectivity / MICRODOT | MICRODOT interconnect portfolio including MIL-DTL-83513 QPL products | The exact MICRODOT family, ordered designation and supporting technical documents. Brand documentation. |
| Molex / AirBorn | M Series Micro-D products using a four-point contact system, with qualified and commercial offerings | Configuration-specific materials, temperature options, contact count and qualification. M Series overview. |
A useful comparison starts with an identical requirement set. Compare the same contact count, termination, shell material, finish, hardware, documentation and environmental requirement. Differences in those variables can matter more than the manufacturer name.
Micro-D connector wiring, assembly and inspection
The wiring method follows the termination, not just the Micro-D form factor. A solder-cup version and a factory-prewired crimp version should not be treated as interchangeable assembly tasks. For example, the referenced /1-/2 products have solder cups for 26 AWG or smaller conductors, while /3-/4 ordering codes specify the supplied lead construction. Solder-cup documentation; prewired documentation.
Use the manufacturer’s instructions and the program’s approved workmanship requirements for stripping, soldering or crimping, cleaning, potting and inspection. This guide does not prescribe a universal iron temperature, strip length, crimp tool or pull-test force because those must match the selected product and process.
Before accepting an assembly, reconcile its continuity map with the interface-control document, inspect the terminations and strain relief, and verify shield connections and identification. Any insulation-resistance or dielectric testing must use approved conditions compatible with the complete assembly, including connected electronics.
Where to buy Micro-D connectors and how to compare prices
Start with the selected manufacturer’s sales channel or an authorized distributor. For qualified procurement, reconcile the quoted item with the applicable QPD listing and required documentation before ordering. A distributor’s “mil-spec” label is not a substitute for that check. DLA qualification database.
There is no useful universal Micro-D price. Request comparable quotations using the same part definition and commercial terms. Include quantity, qualification, shell finish, hardware, wire or PCB termination, cable assembly, screening, certificates, delivery requirement and authorized substitutions.
Treat these as separate comparisons: a bare connector, a mated pair with hardware, and a completed inspected harness. Record quotation dates and lead times rather than presenting a stock or price snapshot as a permanent engineering fact. No live like-for-like price survey is claimed in this guide.
Frequently asked questions about Micro-D connectors
What is a Micro-D connector, and what does Micro-D mean?
Micro-D is the common name for a microminiature D-shaped connector family. Conventional products use 0.050-inch contact spacing, but commercial derivatives require their own interface check. Family overview.
How many pins does a Micro-D connector have?
Common M83513 arrangements are 9, 15, 21, 25, 31, 37, 51 and 100 contacts, with availability determined by the slash sheet. Commercial families can include other counts. Metal-shell arrangements; ITT commercial options.
Is a 69-pin Micro-D a standard M83513 arrangement?
Not in the standard slash-sheet families summarized here. Treat 69 positions as a manufacturer-specific option unless the supplier provides an applicable government designation and qualification record. ITT 69-position offering; QPD.
Is every Micro-D connector rated for 3 A?
No. Conventional families often specify 3 A, but specialized products can differ; Glenair GHSM, for example, is rated at 1 A per contact. Amphenol; Glenair GHSM.
Can a Micro-D connector operate continuously at 600 VAC?
Do not infer that from a 600 VAC dielectric-withstand value. Working voltage is a separate product and application requirement. ITT specifications.
Does every Micro-D use the same PCB footprint?
No. Termination direction, profile, contact count, tail length and mounting hardware all matter. Use the footprint for the ordered configuration. Right-angle PCB family; straight PCB family.
Can plastic-shell and metal-shell Micro-D connectors mate?
Not automatically. The cited Glenair plastic /8-/9 family specifically excludes mating with metal-shell products. Verify the exact pair. Manufacturer limitation.
Are Micro-D connectors waterproof or hermetic?
Do not assume either. Sealing and hermeticity must be specified for the selected construction and installation; dedicated hermetic Micro-D products are available. Hermetic family.
Does QPL qualification cover a custom high-speed Micro-D?
Only a matching qualification record can establish that. A custom product may use familiar technology while changing the interface or performance envelope. QPD; high-speed example.
When should I consider a circular connector instead?
Compare an actual circular candidate when coupling method, environmental sealing, mixed-contact requirements or field handling are more important than the rectangular package. That is an application trade study, not a universal rule that one connector shape is better.
Micro-D connector terminology
| Term | Meaning in this guide |
|---|---|
| Contact pitch | Center-to-center contact spacing; distinguish the mating interface from the PCB termination pattern. |
| Contact arrangement | The physical locations and numbering of contacts, not their assigned circuit functions. |
| Slash sheet | A configuration-specific document associated with the general military specification. |
| QPL / QPD | Qualified Products List / Qualified Products Database; qualification resources rather than general marketing labels. |
| COTS / modified COTS | Commercial off-the-shelf product / a commercial product modified for particular requirements. Qualification must be established separately. |
| Twist pin / spring contact | Contact-technology descriptions; not synonyms for every Micro-D contact design. |
| Jackscrew / jackpost | Mating-retention screw / corresponding threaded hardware; verify the specific kit. |
| Backshell | Rear accessory or enclosure used as part of a cable-termination arrangement. |
| Solder cup / PCB tail / SMT | A wire-soldering terminal / a board termination lead / surface-mount technology. |
| Reverse gender | A reminder to identify contact gender independently of shell appearance. |
| Contact resistance / discontinuity | Resistance of a defined connection path / a temporary interruption of electrical continuity. |
| Fretting corrosion | Surface damage and oxidation associated with small relative motion at a contact; not a failure mode to declare impossible without evidence. |
| SWaP / EMI / RFI | Size, weight and power / electromagnetic interference / radio-frequency interference. |
For component terminology and construction examples, see hardware, contact arrangements, PCB products and Omnetics families. Qualification terminology is supported by DLA QPD.
Micro-D connector specification checklist
Before releasing the drawing or purchase order, make the answers explicit:
| Requirement | Record in the specification package |
|---|---|
| Interface | Both mating part numbers, contact count, pin/socket gender, viewing direction and complete signal assignment |
| Mechanical integration | Drawing revision, shell, finish, panel/board mounting, tail length, retention hardware and installed clearance |
| Electrical performance | Current and voltage requirements, thermal assumptions, applicable contact-resistance measurement, waveform/protocol and channel evidence |
| Environment | Temperature, shock/vibration profile, sealing, corrosion exposure, material compatibility and any vacuum requirements |
| Assembly | Wire specification, lead length, shield termination, strain relief, approved process and inspection/acceptance plan |
| Procurement | Required qualification, verified production source, certificates, approved alternates, quantity and quotation date |
The right Micro-D is the documented connector pair and assembly that meets these requirements. Contact count and pitch identify a starting point; they do not finish the selection.
Micro-D connector technical references
Use the MIL-DTL-83513 general-specification record, the DLA links in the slash-sheet table and the qualification database as the starting points for military procurement. For the neighboring connector families, consult MIL-DTL-32139, MIL-DTL-24308 and the M24308 D-sub product example. The manufacturer links identify the exact examples used in this guide rather than implying identical performance across brands.
For dimensioned drawings, see solder-cup dimensions, PCB ordering and footprints and mating hardware. For test interpretation, see Glenair’s performance document, Omnetics’ flex-mount specifications and NASA’s outgassing guidance. For additional space-program context, NASA publishes a connector and contact tutorial for NASA-STD-8739.11. Always reconcile a catalog example with the controlled drawing, current specification issue and contract requirements before design release.
