Custom IP68 Stainless Steel M12 Circular Connector: How to Choose the Right Supplier

When your application demands uncompromising durability and ingress protection, a custom IP68-rated stainless steel M12 circular connector is often the ideal solution. Here’s how to evaluate suppliers and make an informed choice for your mission-critical deployments.

1. Confirm IP Ingress Rating & Testing Conditions

A true IP68-rated connector must offer continuous submersion protection—typically greater than 1 meter for 30 minutes—when fully mated and sealed. Many connectors also achieve IP69K in unmated conditions, handling pressurized washdowns and high-pressure cleaning systems.
Supplier tip: Ask for third-party IP certification data and real-world testing results.

2. Prioritise Durable Material & Corrosion Resistance

Stainless steel (e.g. 316L / 1.4404 grade) is the preferred housing material for chemically aggressive or marine environments thanks to superior corrosion resistance, temperature stability (up to 200 °C), and EMI shielding (~≥60 dB).
Alternative brass connectors are lower cost but lack in longterm corrosion resistance—choose stainless steel for harsh environmental integrity.

3. Check Coding Styles, Pin Counts & Mating Options

Make sure your supplier offers flexible configurations: A-coded (up to 17 pins), D-coded (Ethernet), B-coded (fieldbus), X-coded (10 GbE), plus sizes that match your signal or power needs.
Mating styles such as screw-thread vs push-pull and mount types (cable, panel, PCB) should match installation needs.

4. Ensure Environmental Compatibility

Consider the extreme conditions the connector will face—temperature, vibration, chemical exposure, UV, etc.

· Stainless steel connectors can typically withstand -40 °C to +125 °C, high vibration (>5 g), and multimating cycles (>500 cycles).

· Watch for chemical resistance—stainless steel housing plus robust sealing materials perform much better in corrosive settings like coastal, chemical plants, or offshore applications.

5. Evaluate Electrical Performance & EMI Shielding

For industrial Ethernet or data signals, the connector must maintain integrity over shielding and grounding. Stainless steel connector shells often exceed 60 dB EMI attenuation, protecting signal fidelity near variable frequency drives or servo motor.
Ensure current/voltage ratings match your needs: common ratings up to 4 A at 250 V for Acoded; higher for power-coded types.

6. Assess Manufacturing Capabilities & Customisation

Your supplier should support:

· Custom pin configurations and coding

· Overmolding options

· Cable assembly and wire harnessing

· Certifications like RoHS, CE, REACH and any industry-specific approvals

Ask for fabrication tolerances, tooling control, and whether they have in-house testing for mechanical and environmental performance.

7. Verify Quality Systems & Support Capabilities

Look for ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 (or IPC/WHMA-A-620) certifications. Confirm their QA/QC processes, traceability, and post-sales support such as warranty terms, replacement, or repair services.

Summary Table

Why Choose Us?

At SIGNAL, we offer custom stainless steel M12 circular connectors with true IP68 sealing, tailored to your exact specifications—from pin count and coding style to cable assembly and overmoulding.

· Built using corrosion-resistant 316L-grade stainless steel in both mated and unmated conditions

· Fully supports IP68 and IP69K, with rigorous in-house and third-party testing

· Available in A-, D-, B-, X-coding, with flexible pin and mount options

· Expertise in OEM/ODM customisation: RoHS/CE/REACH compliant, custom cable harnesses, and turnkey assembly services

· Backed by robust quality systems, fast technical support, and supply chain traceability

To explore how we can meet your connector requirements, contact SIGNAL today. Our technical team will guide you through specifications, certification, and custom design—delivering solutions built to withstand the most demanding industrial environments.

SIGNAL—your trusted partner for high-performance, custom IP68 stainless steel M12 connector solutions.

Ready to get started? Let us help you design the right connector for your project—get in touch now.