What are 7/16 DIN connectors?

By AJ Born

Meet the Connector: 7/16 DIN Connectors

COAX Connectors offers 7/16 plugs and jacks in a range of different styles and finishes.

The 7/16 interface was originally developed in Europe in the 1960s for the military. Also referred to simply as 7/16, this interface is a 50 Ω threaded RF connector used to join cables and equipment. The name is derived from the contact measurements: 7 mm outer diameter of the inner contact and 16 mm inner diameter of the outer contact. DIN is an acronym for the Deutsches Institut für Normung, the standards organization that established the DIN 47223 specification for this connector.

7/16 DIN was designed to reduce intermodulation from multiple transmitters and is among the most widely used high-power RF connectors in cellular network antenna systems, said Brian Tea, sales manager at COAX Connectors Ltd. “7/16 plugs mostly have a hex coupling nut to allow for hand tightening of the mated pair followed by use of a torque wrench to ensure correct mating force. Due to its solid environmental abilities, the 7/16 is now also widely used in applications where higher voltage signals are present such as semiconductor test equipment and other industrial applications,” said Tea.

 

COAX Connectors 7/16 jacks are available in cable and bulkhead mount versions.

The versatile 7/16 DIN connector is available in many variations, Tea added. “Cable mount plugs and jacks are available in both clamp and crimp termination versions for a wide variety of cable types and sizes and in straight and right-angle versions. Bulkhead mounting versions make the 7/16 easy to install in equipment. Inter-series adaptors allow the 7/16 to be mated with other connector types.”

Design Notes

Standards: International standards applicable to 7/16 DIN connectors include IEC 61169-4, IEC 60169-4, DIN 47223, CECC 22 190, and EN 122190.

Dimensions: The outer diameter of the interface is approximately 29 mm. 7/16 refers to the contact measurements: 7 mm outer diameter of the inner contact and 16 mm inner diameter of the outer contact.

Mounting type or types: cable, bulkhead, panel mount, free hanging (in-line), flange mount

Mating cycles: 500 mating cycles

Contacts

Pitch: The external thread is 29 mm, 1.5 mm pitch

Termination: solder, solder cup, screw, clamp and crimp termination

TE Connectivity’s new 7/16 T is terminated by screwing on the cable.

Material specifications: Standard finish is nickel; white bronze is often used in external applications and has replaced the use of silver plate in most systems. Versions are manufactured with corrosion-proof materials as lightweight, low-cost alternatives.

Locking Mechanism: Screw-on with either cross-knurled or six-flats coupling nut

Radiall’s 7/16 high-power, screw-on connector. Radiall expanded its line of 7/16 composite connectors with jacks and receptacles manufactured with corrosion-proof, composite materials. These new single-piece connectors are UV-resistant, meeting IEC 68-2-5 and IEC-68-2-9 to withstand all environments, including harsh outdoor installations.

Environmental properties

Sealing is provided by flange-mounted O-rings and O-rings under the coupling nuts on plugs.

IP rating: IP67 when mated (IP68 overmolded cable assemblies)

Temperature range: -55 °C – +155 °C

Electrical properties

Impedance: 50 Ω

Frequency range: DC ~ 7.5 GHz

Low Intermodulation: -125 dBm (2 x 20W)

Power rating at 1GHz: 2000W

Markets and Applications

Telecommunications and networking

Mobile communication infrastructure networks, cellular antenna systems, jumper and feeder cable assemblies, radio links, indoor and outdoor applications

Suppliers

7/16 DIN connectors are available from many suppliers, including COAX Connectors, Pasternack (DigiKey) , Molex, Radiall, TE Connectivity, Times Microwave Systems, and Rosenberger

Related products

N-type connector

BNC connector

TNC connector

Like this article? Check out our other Meet the Connector and Connector Basics articles, our Industrial Market Page, and our 2024 and 2025 Article Archives

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AJ Born
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