Some Notes on Breeze Connectors

Home MECH Newly_Listed METERS LAMPS VALVES + SEMI-C TRANFORMERS RELAYS & TRANSDUCERS ACTIVE HARDWARE CONNECTORS EQUIPMENT BOOKS PASSIVES TECH DATA CLUB PAGE Information

BREEZE CONNECTORS

At first glance the Breeze can be mistaken for the more common Air Ministry 10H series.  They both have an aluminium diecast body and a square four hole mounting flange.

The design using an internal thread prevents damage to the threads on the connector caused by external careless blows to the equipment.   Replacing fixed connectors is a lot more difficult than rewiring a free lead.

The Breeze connector does not have a keyway, relying on the contacts for mating.  Hence polarisation is not possible as in the pattern 104 range.








The Breeze have rigid contacts  in a moulded contact block which is independent of the housing. 


Front housings have the internal thread.   Rear housings are also used for screening and protection.


The internal thread is very close to the thread on the 10H.   The 10H/391 shown in the top picture can be screwed into the Breeze but is rather loose.















Some examples of the range.

Plessey literature states:

"There are 23 contact configurations from 1 to 27 ways.

Styles available are:
Single plugs
Bulkhead plugs
Pressurised bulkhead plugs
Normal sockets
Reverse sockets
Detachable lead plugs
Short reach sockets
Quick release plugs/sockets"

"Although used in many aircraft today, this range was first used in WW II under the trade name "Breeze". It replaced point-to-point wiring systems and opened the way for mass aircraft production.  These connectors allowed the prefabrication of complete wiring systems which were then fitted at any convenient assembly stage.


Extensive development was carried out to improve temperature conditions, altitude and electrical characteristics with the result the range is capable of operating over the range -65oC to +150oC. "



Comparison between an Air Ministry 10H series Connector on the left and the Breeze 5X/33 on the  right.
The 10H/391 is 39.45mm square with holes on 30.5mm centres.   Mass 35g
The Breeze is 36.4mm square with holes on 30.5mm centres.  Mass 36g


 
The guide pins are some 1mm above the housing.   


         
Moulding Detail - Smart & Brown Manufacture                  Silver-plated pins, S&B 126
Thickness 5-9mm.  




Copyright www.ElectroJumble.org and www.ElectroJumble.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated 09 April, 2015