DTAT8 military connectors
DTAT8 ranges - MIL C 38999 Series III
In brief. The DTAT8 range covers military power connectors made by CKB/Deutsch, with an olive green cadmium-plated aluminium shell. Rated current from 100 to 800 A single-pin, operating voltage 500 V at 50 Hz, 4 shell sizes (11, 17, 19, 29), sealed to 2 bar, −65 °C to +155 °C. We locate the original part or design a Form-Fit-Function alternative, and reply within 48 working hours.
The full name of the range on our site pairs DTAT8 with "MIL-C-38999 Series III". The DTAT8 coupling and shell sizes are indeed derived from the 38999 standard; the current rating, however, goes far beyond what a 38999 contact carries. This page details the DTAT8 range: what it does, its ratings by shell size, its variants, what separates it from the 38999 and what we need to find one for you.
What are DTAT8 connectors used for?
To carry AC power, up to 800 A at 500 V, in a military environment: shock, humidity, corrosion. The shell is sealed to 2 bar and provides EMI/RFI shielding continuity, which protects nearby equipment from interference. Another practical point: the range terminates on copper cable as well as aluminium cable.
What are their technical specifications?
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | CKB/Deutsch (now TE Connectivity) |
| Contacts | Single-pin or multi-pin |
| Shell | Olive green cadmium-plated aluminium |
| Shell sizes | 4: 11, 17, 19 and 29 (sizes derived from the 38999 standard) |
| Rated current | 100 to 800 A single-pin; 50 to 250 A multi-pin (size 29) |
| Operating voltage | 500 V at 50 Hz |
| Withstand voltage | 2,500 V at 50 Hz |
| Operating temperature | −65 °C to +155 °C |
| Salt spray resistance | 96 hours |
| Insulators and seals | Thermoplastic insulator, fluorosilicone seals |
| Shielding | EMI/RFI continuity |
| Sealing | 2 bar |
| Cables | Copper and aluminium |
The shell is cadmium-plated, and that is not a relic of another era: to date, there is no cadmium-free alternative with the same performance that has been qualified by customers.
What current range for each shell size?
The range covers 100 to 800 A single-pin over four sizes; only size 29 also exists in multi-pin. Values from the Deutsch/CKB catalogue:
| Shell size | Single-pin | Multi-pin |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 100 A | — |
| 17 | 200 A | — |
| 19 | 450 A | — |
| 29 | 800 A | 50 to 250 A |
Why insist? Because an undersized part overheats, and a power connector is not judged by its outside diameter. A multi-pin size 29 does not carry the 800 A of a single-pin size 29. Give us the part number or, failing that, the cable cross-section: that is what sets the rating.
Which variants exist?
Three choices shape a DTAT8 part number:
- The backshell: straight or 115° angled;
- The coupling: screw-lock, rack-mountable or bayonet;
- The number of contacts: single-pin or multi-pin.
The coupling deserves attention. A rack-mountable connector slots into a chassis or drawer; a screw-lock or bayonet connector is operated by hand. Swapping one for the other changes the installation, not just the part.
DTAT8 and MIL-DTL-38999 Series III: how are they related?
The historical title of the range cites MIL-C-38999 Series III, and not by chance: the DTAT8 coupling and sizes are derived from the 38999 standard. The current rating, on the other hand, has nothing in common. A MIL-DTL-38999 Series III carries power contacts up to 23 A in the TE Connectivity range; the DTAT8 is rated 100 to 800 A single-pin.
| Criterion | DTAT8 | MIL-DTL-38999 Series III |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Power | Signal, data, low power |
| Current | 100 to 800 A single-pin | Up to 23 A per contact (TE range) |
| Temperature | −65 °C to +155 °C | −65 °C to +200 °C depending on the class |
For low-voltage DC power links, the neighbouring range is the DTAT3 military connector, from 73 to 800 A at 50 V DC.
Your DTAT8 connector is obsolete: what do we do?
First, we look for the original part in the dormant stock reachable through our European and Asian network. If it no longer exists, we reverse-engineer a Form-Fit-Function alternative with the same rating, same interface and same coupling. Patrick Roseleur, founder of Explorea, worked at Deutsch/CKB (TE Connectivity) and was rapporteur to CENELEC for EN 50467, the standard on connectors for rolling stock. On a power connector, the alternative may need approval from your design office: we state this from the quotation stage.
What to send us: the full part number, the shell size, the coupling type, straight or angled backshell, the cable cross-section and material (copper or aluminium), photos of the front and side, the quantity and the deadline. If the part number is illegible, use the connector search by part number or photo.
Frequently asked questions
Does a DTAT8 connector accept aluminium cable?
Yes, the DTAT8 range terminates on copper cable and on aluminium cable. State the cable material and cross-section in your request: they determine the choice of contact and rating, between 100 and 800 A single-pin depending on the size. A mistake here is paid for at installation, not at quotation.
Is the DTAT8 sealed?
The range is specified as sealed to 2 bar, with fluorosilicone seals and 96 hours of salt spray resistance. A hardened seal or a poorly tightened backshell compromises this sealing: tell us about any sign of ageing on the part to be replaced, and we will take it into account in our proposal.
Can a DTAT8 be replaced with a MIL-DTL-38999 Series III?
No, not for a power link. The DTAT8 uses the coupling and sizes of the 38999 standard, but its ratings run from 100 to 800 A single-pin, whereas the contacts of a 38999 Series III stop at 23 A in the TE Connectivity range. We look for a DTAT8 or its alternative at the same rating.
Get a quote for your connector
The full range is on our defence connectivity page.
Request a quote for a DTAT8 connector
Reply within 48 working hours.