DEC power distribution connectors
Many DEC PDP-11 backplanes use a common system of connectors to the power harness from the power supply.
They were connected to the harness (which usually ended in a power distribution panel) using multi-pin AMP MATE-N-LOK connectors: the connectors on the panel used male shells (housings) with female sockets (i.e. female pins); all the cables from the backplanes had female shells. with male pins.
The female sockets (female pins) are AMP part number 60619-1; the male pins are 60620-1. (There are a large number of different pin options: 30-22, 24-18, and 20-14 gauge; tin and gold plated; and brass and phosphor-bronze material. The part numbers given are for tinned brass, 20-14 gauge.)
The AMP part numbers for the shells (AMP calls the female housings 'caps', and the male housings 'plugs') are below:
| Pin count | Male shell | Female shell |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1-480273-0 | 1-480276-0 |
| 9 | 1-480274-0 | 1-480277-0 |
| 15 | 1-480323-0 | 1-480324-0 |
Some early machines (e.g. the PDP-11/05) used the 9-pin connectors; all the later machines and mounting boxes used pairs of 6-pin and 15-pin connectors.
AMP has been bought by TE Connectivity, but these MATE-N-LOK connectors are still in production, and available from the usual suppliers.
External links
- Digikey's page for the line - click on 'Housings' at the bottom
