Mil-Spec Connector Shell Styles

Connectors in All Shapes and Sizes

A connector’s shell is the outer casing in which the vital components of the connector, such as the contacts and insert, are housed and protected. A mated pair consists of two shells: one plug and one receptacle. Plugs are typically straight or at a 90° angle. Receptacle shells come in four basic styles (wall mount, box mount, jam nut, cable mount) to provide various mounting options for your particular application requirements. Thru-bulkhead receptacles are also available for applications requiring a feed-through on bulkheads or panels.


Straight Plug

A plug terminates at the end of a loose cable and mates with a corresponding receptacle. Its coupling ring, the plug’s most defining attribute, facilitates positive mating onto the receptacle.

  • Standard plug for cables
  • IP67 environmental backshell
  • Strain-relief cable clamp (included with 5015 solder connectors)

Wall Mount

Standard receptacle with a four-hole flange for front or rear mounting through a panel or bulkhead. This popular receptacle style includes accessory threads to accept a backshell.

  • Standard four-hole mounting flange
  • Easy rear or front panel mounting
  • IP67 environmental protection

Jam Nut

Preferred for their superior environmental seal due to an integrated O-ring and a single-hole mount design. Jam nut receptacles decrease the number of environmentally susceptible openings in an enclosure. A single hex nut (“jam nut”) locks it in place rather than bolts. Designed for rear panel mounting only.

  • Increased environmental protection
  • Integrated O-ring
  • Requires a single mounting hole

Thru-Bulkhead

For feed-through of circuits on bulkheads or panels. These specialized receptacles have a receptacle on both ends of the shell.

  • Receptacles on both shell sides
  • Perfect for circuit feed-through
  • Jam nut style also available

90° Plug

A plug with a 90° elbow on the backshell allows mounting in confined spaces. The 90° angled backshell may be rotated and locked at any 45° increment for improved cable management.

  • Angled backshell for tight spaces
  • IP67 environmental protection
  • Simple cable management

Box Mount

Box mount receptacles have the same flange design as wall mounts. However, box mounts do not come equipped with accessory threads, which allows for a more compact rear profile.

  • Standard four-hole mounting flange
  • Easy rear or front panel mounting
  • Low-profile design for confined spaces

Cable Mount

Used almost exclusively for extension cords, cable mount receptacles terminate directly at the end of a cable. They are also used when equipment boxes are not easily accessible, making cord mount receptacles the only option.

  • Best for extension cord applications
  • Can be used when equipment enclosure is inaccessible
  • Integrated environmental backshell (5015 solder style only)