ITT Cannon KPT vs KPSE Connectors: Solder vs Crimp Guide
ITT Cannon KPT vs KPSE Connectors
ITT Cannon KPT and KPSE are miniature circular connector families using a quick bayonet-coupling interface. Their principal difference is the termination system: KPT uses factory-installed solder-pot contacts, while KPSE uses removable crimp contacts with a clip-in retention system.
KPT is generally selected for prototypes, repair work and low-volume equipment wiring. KPSE is better suited to production cable assemblies, standardized crimp processes and applications requiring replaceable contacts.
KPT vs KPSE: Core Differences
| Selection Item | ITT Cannon KPT | ITT Cannon KPSE |
|---|---|---|
| Product positioning | General-duty solder-contact series | High-performance crimp-contact series |
| Contact termination | Solder pot | Crimp |
| Contact installation | Factory installed | Inserted from the rear after crimping |
| Contact retention | Contacts fixed in the insulator with adhesive | Clip-in retention using a plastic wafer and metal retaining clips |
| Contact replacement | Normally requires desoldering or connector replacement | Individual contacts can be extracted and replaced |
| Assembly equipment | Soldering equipment | Crimp tool, locator and insertion/extraction tools |
| Production suitability | Prototypes and low-volume assembly | Repeated and high-volume cable-harness production |
| Field maintenance | Less convenient for individual contact replacement | Better for field repair and contact replacement |
| Connector interface | MIL-DTL-26482 Series I/VG95328-style | MIL-DTL-26482 Series I/VG95328-style |
| Shell sizes | 8 through 24 | 8 through 24 |
| Coupling method | Positive three-point bayonet | Positive three-point bayonet |
| Contact sizes | Commonly size 20 and size 16 | Commonly size 20 and size 16 |
| Typical wire range | 24 to 16 AWG, depending on contact size | 24 to 16 AWG, depending on contact size |
| Typical contact rating | Size 20: 7.5 A; size 16: 13 A | Size 20: 7.5 A; size 16: 13 A |
| Operating temperature | -55°C to +125°C | -55°C to +125°C |
| Mating durability | 500 cycles | 500 cycles |
| Environmental sealing | IP67 when correctly mated; selected VG versions support IP68 requirements | IP67 when correctly mated; selected VG versions support IP68 requirements |
| Shell construction | Aluminum alloy | Aluminum alloy |
| Available finishes | Cadmium and multiple RoHS-compliant alternatives | Cadmium and multiple RoHS-compliant alternatives |
Current ratings apply to common catalog configurations and must be derated according to ambient temperature, wire size and the number of simultaneously loaded contacts.
What Is the ITT Cannon KPT Series?
The KPT series uses one-piece machined solder-pot contacts installed by the manufacturer. The contacts are positioned inside the resilient insulator and secured with adhesive.
Because the contacts arrive already installed, KPT connectors can be wired without purchasing contact insertion and extraction tooling. The assembler strips the conductors and solders them directly into the contact cups.
KPT is suitable for:
Prototype cable assemblies
Low-volume equipment production
Maintenance workshops using solder termination
Military vehicle wiring based on existing KPT designs
Equipment where individual contact replacement is not required
Applications with limited access to calibrated crimp tooling
Soldering quality depends on operator technique. Excessive heat, excessive solder or insufficient strain relief can damage the insulation or reduce cable reliability.
What Is the ITT Cannon KPSE Series?
The KPSE series uses removable machined crimp contacts. Each conductor is crimped outside the connector and the terminated contact is inserted from the rear until it locks into the retention system.
This construction provides tactile confirmation during contact installation and allows individual contacts to be removed with the specified extraction tool.
KPSE is suitable for:
Production cable harnesses
Aerospace and defense wiring
Military ground vehicles
High-volume industrial equipment
Field-repairable cable assemblies
Applications requiring controlled and repeatable termination
Projects specifying VG95328-marked configurations
A KPSE assembly requires the correct contact, crimp tool, locator, insertion tool and extraction tool. Tooling must be selected by contact size and wire gauge rather than by connector shell size.
Application Differences
| Application Requirement | Recommended Series | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype or engineering sample | KPT | Contacts are already installed and no crimp-contact insertion process is required |
| Low-volume manual cable assembly | KPT | Straightforward solder termination |
| Production wiring harness | KPSE | Crimping provides a controlled and repeatable assembly process |
| Individual contact replacement | KPSE | Contacts can be extracted and replaced |
| Field maintenance | KPSE | Damaged circuits can be repaired without replacing the complete connector |
| Existing solder-based equipment | KPT | Maintains the original wiring and assembly process |
| Automated or documented harness production | KPSE | Better suited to calibrated crimp tooling and inspection procedures |
| VG95328 procurement requirement | KPSE | Selected German-manufactured configurations are available with VG approval |
Part Number Selection
Related ITT Cannon Series
| Series | Main Difference | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| KPTC | Commercial series offering solder or crimp configurations with a simplified contact system | General industrial equipment |
| KPT Hermetic | Glass-to-metal sealed construction | Gas-tight bulkheads, pressure systems and high-temperature equipment |
| PV Series II | MIL-DTL-26482 Series II-style rear-release crimp connector | Applications requiring a Series II interface |
| KJA/KJB Series III | Triple-start threaded D38999-style connector | Higher vibration and aerospace applications |
Contact us for ITT Cannon KPT and KPSE connector selection, part-number cross-reference, mating connectors, contacts, tooling, stock and quotation.
