Waterproof Circular Connectors (GX & SP) from China
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GX12, GX16, GX20, and SP21 are the workhorse waterproof circular connectors China supplies for outdoor and industrial gear, rated IP67 or IP68 when properly mated and sealed. The numbers (12/16/20/21) refer to the shell diameter in millimeters, and the IP rating only holds if the gasket, backshell, and cable gland are all assembled correctly — an IP68 connector with a missing or wrong gland leaks. The common trap is so-called 'aviation' connectors sold with marked-up branding and under-spec contact plating that corrodes after a few wet cycles.
These are panel- or cable-mount circular connectors sealed against water ingress, specified by shell size (GX12–GX20, SP21) and IP rating. When sourcing, verify the IP rating on the assembled connector with cable, not the bare part, and check contact plating — corrosion at the pins is the usual field failure.
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FAQ
What do GX12, GX16, and GX20 mean?
The number is the connector shell diameter in millimeters — GX12 is 12mm, GX16 is 16mm, GX20 is 20mm. Larger shells fit more contacts and higher current; pick by pin count and current, then confirm the IP rating.
Is the IP67/IP68 rating reliable on Chinese connectors?
It can be, but the rating only applies to a correctly mated and glanded assembly. Test a sealed sample with the actual cable, and check that the gasket and gland are included and fit — many leaks come from a missing or mismatched gland, not the connector body.
Are 'aviation' connectors any better than standard GX/SP?
Usually not — 'aviation' is mostly a marketing label on the same GX/SP families. Judge by plating, sealing, and the test report, not the name, and avoid paying a premium for the branding alone.
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