Pegasus rugged circular connectors

Pegasus series connectors provide excellent electromagnetic interference protection. Thanks to electroless copper-nickel plating on the composite shells and a conductive spring-finger gasket, they achieve about 40–60 dB of attenuation across a broad frequency range. This significant shielding performance helps safeguard sensitive signals from ambient RF noise and prevents the connector from emitting unwanted interference.

These connectors are built with multiple sealing features to ensure an IP67-rated enclosure. They use an interfacial seal between plug and receptacle, plus a triple-barrier ring seal around the mating interface. In addition, each connector’s rear cable entry is sealed with a durable silicone grommet. Together, these features prevent water, dust, and humidity ingress, allowing Pegasus connectors to perform reliably in wet or dusty environments (even after temporary submersion).

Pegasus connectors use a quarter-turn bayonet coupling mechanism. To mate, you align the plug’s bayonet lugs with the receptacle’s slots and give a short 90° twist. This quick bayonet lock securely fastens the connection with an audible click, making it much faster and easier to connect and disconnect than traditional threaded coupling rings. The bayonet mechanism also resists vibration loosening, ensuring the connector remains locked during operation.

“Scoop-proof” refers to a protective design that prevents damage to the connector pins during mating. In the Pegasus series, the female (receptacle) side has recessed contact pins and the male (plug) has a mating surface that guides in correctly. This way, if the connector is angled or misaligned during mating, the plug shell will “scoop” the receptacle shell rather than the pins, avoiding any bending or electrical shorting of the contacts. The scoop-proof feature makes mating more forgiving and reliable, especially in blind or hurried connections.

The Pegasus range comes in multiple shell sizes and supports various contact arrangements to suit different power and signal needs. Standard contact sizes 22, 20, 16, and 12 (AWG) are offered, which cover everything from high-density signal pins to larger contacts for higher currents. Depending on the connector size, the number of contacts can vary (with smaller shells carrying fewer size 22 pins, and larger shells accommodating bigger or more pins). The series also offers keying options and colour-coded housings to help differentiate configurations and prevent mismating when multiple connectors are used in a system.

Yes. Pegasus connectors are designed for use in harsh aerospace and military environments, so they undergo rigorous environmental testing. They can survive vibrations up to 30 G (sinusoidal) and random vibration profiles common in aircraft and vehicles, as well as sudden shocks up to 300 G (3 ms half-sine pulse) without electrical discontinuity. They are also rated for a broad operating temperature range from -65 °C to +125 °C, including exposure to rapid temperature cycling. This robustness ensures stable performance in aircraft, ground vehicles, and other environments with severe mechanical and thermal stresses. Additionally, the connectors are built to last at least 100 mating cycles (with typical performance reaching 250 cycles), indicating long-term durability even with frequent use.

Absolutely. Pegasus series connectors have been tested for compatibility with a range of fluids often encountered in aerospace and industrial settings. They can be exposed to jet fuel (Jet A), lubricating oils (such as MIL-PRF-7808 turbine oil), hydraulic fluids including MIL-PRF-83282 and 87257 types, and cleaning chemicals (like MIL-PRF-87937 alkaline cleaner), as well as common solvents like isopropyl alcohol and glycol-based coolants. The connector materials and seals show no significant degradation or leakage after immersion in these substances, meaning Pegasus connectors will maintain their performance even when subjected to fuels, oils, and cleaning agents during operation or maintenance.

Pegasus rugged circular connectors are ideal for any application that demands lightweight, reliable connectors with strong EMI shielding. They were originally developed for aerospace and military use – for example, in aircraft avionics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), military communication systems, and missile or radar equipment – where saving weight and space is critical but environmental resilience cannot be compromised. In commercial aerospace, they are used in cabin systems and sensors due to their small size and flame-resistant materials. These connectors are also very well-suited to industrial and robotics applications that face harsh weather, vibration, or electrical noise. In essence, any industry that needs high-performance, quick-connect interconnects in a tough environment (from defence electronics to outdoor telecom equipment) can benefit from the Pegasus series.