Connectors

Connectors for on-board systems and vehicles – all designs at a glance

Connectors are the points in an electrical system where current has to cross a separation point – and that is exactly where most faults occur. Moisture and salt air attack contacts, corrosion increases contact resistance, and higher contact resistance means voltage drop and heat at the worst possible place. Then there is vibration: anything that moves constantly on board in a seaway or in a vehicle on rough tracks works itself loose if the connection is not locked and the cable has no strain relief. That is why the reliability of an installation does not depend on the price of a plug, but on choosing by four criteria: protection class at the installation location, current rating per contact, number of poles including protective earth – and strict separation of AC shore power and DC on-board power so that nothing can be mixed up. In this category you will find the designs for this, from philippi's own production in Germany, supplemented by selected brands.

Selection at a glance

Values from the product data, prices as of 23 Oct 2026.

Shore power connection (AC 230 V) For taking over shore power there are CEE panel-mount inlets, couplers and pre-assembled connection cables. The Mennekes CEE inlets are available splash-proof with a sliding cover (CEE-GSS, CEE-GSK, IP X4, 2+PE, 230 V/50 Hz, 16 A) and in the watertight version CEE-GS wd with IP X7 for exposed locations, together with matching plugs and couplers. The Ratio MP series covers panel-mount inlets and couplers in 16 A, 32 A and 50 A (MP 16-10, MPS 32-16, MP 50-10, MPS 50-110) and adds CEE extension and Marinco adapter cables, a rail hook and a carrying bag. For 230 V connections within the on-board system itself, philippi offers the series 692 as a 2+PE version and the series 694 as a 4+PE version – the latter for AC 400 V.

Watertight circular connectors series 692 and 694 The core system for separable cables on deck and on vehicle bodies. The series 692 is available in 2, 4 and 7 poles, has IP67 according to VDE 0470, a glass-fibre reinforced PBT housing, silver-plated contacts and screw terminals; the 2-pole version carries 16 A per contact, the 7-pole 10 A per contact at a 1.5 mm² connection cross-section. Typical applications are navigation lights (2 and 4 poles) and wind instruments (7 poles). The series 694 goes up to 5 poles (4+PE), 13 poles, 24 poles and a coaxial version, with IP65, 20 A per contact and 400 V rated voltage according to VDE 0110. Both series are tested by Germanischer Lloyd and approved for watercraft. The threaded locking keeps the connection closed even under vibration. Accessories include flange plugs and flange sockets for fixed mounting, cable plugs and cable sockets for joining two cables, surface housings and angled housings (692: L 56 x W 53 x H 36 mm) for deck mounting where a straight feed-through is not possible, triple surface housings, flange rings, protective caps for unused connections, and a protective sleeve and guard. For pluggable data lines – such as wind instruments and fluxgate compasses – there is the subminiature circular connector 720 with IP67, gold-plated contacts, snap-in locking and 7 A (3 poles) or 5 A (5 poles) per contact.

High-current DC connectors Where outboard motors, wind generators, hydrogenerators, solar panels or electric drives are connected, the cable must remain separable without undoing the wiring. The philippi PC 65 set carries max. 65 A DC at 6–16 mm², is watertight to IP68 when connected, is connected without tools by spring force and is locked against accidental disconnection; plus and minus are colour-coded. The LB 80 handles 80 A at max. 96 V – so also for 24 V and 48 V systems – with silver-plated E-Cu contacts, connection cross-section up to 25 mm², IP23 and a holder for vibration-proof mounting. There is also a 150 A high-current connector from EP-Technologies. The magnetic MagCode connection consisting of the MCF flange socket and MCS plug for 12 V and 24 V is de-energised when not connected and therefore short-circuit proof.

DC connectors 12/24 V Standard and universal plugs, couplers, twin couplers, adapter and extension cables from pro-car for everyday 12 and 24 V loads (NS 12/24-15, USL 12/24-8 A, SUS and SWS cigarette plugs, KP 12/24, ZKP 12/24). Also flush and surface sockets with covers (ESD 12/24, ASD 12/24, DSD 12/24) and the WSD 12/24 with screw cap, IP67, 6–24 V, max. 16 A, mounting hole Ø 18 mm and 30 cm potted connection cable. philippi supplies flush sockets with covers in round and square versions and the AZS surface socket.

USB charging sockets Flush, surface and double charging sockets with USB-A and USB-C, with PD and QC, for 12 and 24 V systems – from pro-car (USC, USCC, USC 50, USC 60, USD 12/24 A, USF, CW), alfatronix (USD GW, USD FM) and Blue Sea Systems (USV). Matching covers and mounting plates keep contacts free of dust and moisture when not charging.

Sockets and switches For interior fit-out there are the 230 V flush sockets of the ND 230 series in versions for Germany, the UK, Switzerland and the USA, low-voltage sockets KD 12/24, cigarette lighter sockets ZD 12/24, rocker switches and rocker buttons (ES 230, ET 230), media connections for TV, HDMI and coax, as well as frames, hinged covers, spacer rings, blank plates and surface housings for combining. For routing cables through the deck there are the DD 06 and DD 10 deck glands from philippi and the DDK from Quick.

Not sure which design, number of poles or protection class suits your system? Our team will advise you personally – from a single separation point to the planning of a complete installation.

Frequently asked questions about connectors on board and in vehicles

Which protection class do I need on deck?

For locations exposed to spray, rain and green water, choose IP67 or higher – for example the series 692 (IP67), the subminiature circular connector 720 (IP67) or the WSD 12/24 flush socket (IP67). IP X4 is only splash-proof and belongs in sheltered places. Lower protection classes are sufficient indoors, where mechanical locking matters more.

Why do loads fail even though the battery is full?

Very often the cause is a connector. Corroded or loose contacts increase contact resistance, so voltage drops at the connection point instead of at the load, and the connection gets warm. Check the connection points along the affected cable first, before suspecting the battery or the device.

How much current can I run through a connector?

What matters is the rated current per contact, not the total current of the plug. The series 692 is rated for 16 A per contact in the 2-pole version and 10 A per contact in the 7-pole version, the series 694 for 20 A per contact. For higher currents there are high-current connectors such as the PC 65 (max. 65 A DC) or the LB 80 (80 A).

What is the difference between a cable connector and a flange connector?

Cable plugs and cable sockets join two cables and sit freely in the cable run. Flange plugs and flange sockets are permanently mounted in a bulkhead, panel or housing. To mount a flange part on deck there are surface housings, and for tight spaces the angled housing turned by 90 degrees.

Can I use the same connector for 230 V shore power as for 12 V?

No. AC shore power and the DC system belong on different connectors that cannot be mixed up, always with a protective earth on the AC side. For 230 V use CEE connectors or the PE versions – for example the 2+PE series 692 – and for 400 V the 4+PE version of the series 694. That way nobody can accidentally plug shore power into a 12 V device.

Do the connectors work on boats and in vehicles?

Yes. The range is designed for marine and vehicle applications – philippi's watertight circular connectors and high-current connectors are used on yachts as well as in motorhomes, campers and expedition vehicles, which is why the category appears under both Marine and Offroad.