1K Series Connector 2026: CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B for Tethered Drone Umbilical Cables for USA Client
Pain point: Looking for a tethered drone connector that can keep power and multi-line telemetry flowing through the main umbilical cable of a rugged commercial drone — through rain, high humidity and constant vibration — without a single disconnect during a mission?
Core answer: Spring Technology supplied the 1K series connector CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B, a 7-pin IP68 push-pull plug, for the main umbilical cable of tethered drones deployed by a USA client. Used on rugged commercial drones for firefighting, border security and industrial inspection, this tethered drone connector transmits multi-line telemetry data and power reliably under rainy and humid conditions.
1. Custom Connector Solution Overview
The CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B belongs to Spring Technology’s 1K series of push-pull circular connectors, a product line engineered for outdoor and mission-critical equipment where a dependable tethered drone connector is non-negotiable. For this USA client, the plug was integrated into the main umbilical cable of tethered drones that must stay airborne for long shifts while receiving power and returning telemetry through a single cable. As a 7-pin tethered drone connector, the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B keeps the umbilical assembly compact while separating power from signal paths — a configuration the client’s engineering team validated before the first flight test.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Connector type | Plug, male pins |
| Number of positions | 2–16 pin (CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B: 7-pin solder) |
| Termination | Solder |
| Fastening type | Push-pull, self-locking |
| Orientation / key | Key G (keys A–F, L and R available) |
| Protection index (mated) | IP68 / IP66 |
| Operating temperature | −45 °C ~ +125 °C |
| Humidity resistance | Up to 95% RH at 60 °C |
| Vibration | 10~20000 Hz, 15 g |
| Mechanical shock | 100 g·6 ms |
| Salt spray corrosion test | > 48 h |
| Pulling and inserting times | > 5,000 cycles |
| Shell material / finish | Brass / Chrome |
2. Tethered Drone Connector Design Highlights
Every feature of the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B was selected to solve the specific problems of tethered drone operations: long deployments outdoors, weather exposure, and a single umbilical that carries both power and data. The design highlights below are why this 1K series connector performs as a dependable tethered drone connector:
- IP68/IP66 protection when mated — sealed against rain, spray and dust, so the umbilical keeps working in downpours and fog.
- Push-pull self-locking mechanism — resists vibration and accidental disconnection during flight, rated for 10~20000 Hz at 15 g and mechanical shock of 100 g·6 ms.
- 7-pin solder configuration — carries power plus multiple telemetry lines in one compact umbilical connector, simplifying cable routing on the drone.
- Wide temperature range — −45 °C to +125 °C covers cold-weather border patrols and heat-soaked tarmac operations alike.
- Corrosion-resistant brass shell with chrome finish — passes > 48 h salt spray testing for coastal and humid environments.
- Durability beyond 5,000 mating cycles — built for repeated connect/disconnect during field deployment and maintenance.
3. 1K Series Connector Family Overview
The 1K series is Spring Technology’s compact push-pull connector family for harsh-environment applications. It combines the reliability of a watertight push-pull connector with flexible contact configurations, making it a popular choice for outdoor electronics, defense equipment and industrial automation. The CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B is the straight-plug member of this family used in tethered drone umbilical cables.
3.1 Available 1K Configurations
- Plugs: TGG.1K straight plug and TGG.1K straight plug with bend relief (cable collet style).
- Fixed sockets: ZGG.1K and ZEG.1K fixed sockets, including PCB-contact and elbow-PCB-contact versions.
- Free sockets: DHG.1K free sockets with or without bend relief.
- Pin counts: 2 to 16 positions depending on the configuration, with solder termination.
- Keying: standard key G, with keys A–F, L and R available for multi-connector systems.
3.2 Customization Services
- Custom pin layouts and part numbers (such as the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B) tailored to the project’s power and signal requirements.
- Pre-wired cable assemblies with specified lengths, strain relief and overmolding for umbilical systems.
- Orientation/key selection to prevent mismating when several connectors are used side by side on a drone.
- Compatibility engineering against leading suppliers’ push-pull connector standards, including the widely used K-series footprint.
4. Applications: Tethered Drone Umbilical Cables
Tethered drones differ from conventional UAVs in one crucial way: instead of relying only on onboard batteries, they draw power and exchange data through a physical umbilical cable connected to a ground station. This gives them virtually unlimited endurance — hours or even days of continuous flight — which is why firefighting, border security and industrial inspection teams increasingly specify a rugged tethered drone connector for the umbilical. In a tethered system, the umbilical is the lifeline: the tethered drone connector is the most failure-critical component in the power path, because a single disconnect ends the mission and grounds the aircraft until the cable can be re-mated.
4.1 Firefighting
Firefighting operations demand persistent aerial views of a developing fire: hot spots, wind shifts, and water or retardant drop accuracy. A tethered drone can hover above a wildfire for hours while the ground crew monitors live telemetry. The umbilical runs through heat, smoke and water spray, so the 1K series connector’s IP68 sealing, wide temperature range and corrosion resistance are exactly what this mission profile requires.
4.2 Border Security
Border security teams use tethered drones for persistent surveillance along fences, coastlines and remote checkpoints, day and night. The system must run unattended in rain, fog and salt-laden coastal air. With > 48 h salt spray resistance and humidity tolerance up to 95% RH at 60 °C, the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B keeps the power and telemetry link stable through the harshest outdoor shifts.
4.3 Industrial Inspection
For inspecting tall structures, power lines, pipelines and industrial plants, a tethered drone offers unlimited loiter time and a secure, interference-free data link. Multi-line telemetry — sensor readings, camera feeds and control signals — travels up and down the umbilical alongside power. The 7-pin layout of this tethered drone connector supports exactly that mixed power-and-data traffic without signal degradation.
5. Common Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why does a tethered drone umbilical cable need a 7-pin connector?
A tethered drone umbilical typically carries power plus several independent signal lines for telemetry, control and video. The 7-pin solder configuration of the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B provides enough conductors to separate power from data paths, reducing interference and making field wiring straightforward.
Q2: Can the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B withstand rain and humid conditions?
Yes. The 1K series connector is rated IP68/IP66 when mated, tolerates humidity up to 95% RH at 60 °C, and passes > 48 h salt spray testing. It is specifically suited to rainy and humid environments like those described by the USA tethered drone client.
Q3: Is the 1K series connector compatible with other brands’ push-pull connectors?
The 1K series is engineered with excellent compatibility with leading suppliers’ push-pull connector systems, including the widely used K-series standard. This makes it straightforward to integrate into existing umbilical assemblies or to serve as a drop-in equivalent. For exact mating compatibility with a specific brand, contact Spring Technology with your reference part number.
Q4: Why choose a push-pull connector instead of a threaded connector for drones?
Push-pull connectors lock with a simple axial push and release with a pull on the sleeve, which is faster and more reliable in the field than threading. For drones, the self-locking mechanism also resists loosening under vibration — the 1K series is rated for 15 g vibration and 100 g·6 ms shock, making accidental disconnects during flight highly unlikely.
Q5: How can I get a quote or sample of the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B?
Contact Spring Technology through the form below or email [email protected] with your pin count, cable diameter and quantity. The team will confirm configuration details and provide a quotation, and samples can be arranged for evaluation.
Conclusion & Call to Action
This 1K series connector delivery for the USA client shows how Spring Technology turns the compact 1K series platform into a complete tethered drone umbilical interface — from the CBTG1KG-SMSM07-D52B straight plug to the mating 1K series receptacle, every detail was aligned with the customer’s power, multi-line telemetry, and environmental sealing requirements. Spring Technology also provides professional customization services for both push-pull connectors and cable assemblies, offering tailored solutions to meet your specific technical requirements.
For more information about our 1K series connectors or to discuss your requirements, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected], or visit our website.
Building a tethered drone umbilical system? Send us your pin configuration, cable length, and operating environment requirements — our engineering team will respond with a tailored connector proposal within 24 hours.
Further Reading
- THG.1K.307.CLAD50Z 1K Right Angle Connector: IP68 Waterproof Plug for Radiation Monitors | 500pcs to Customer
- MEG.1K.307.CLL-J 1K 7-Pin Receptacle: IP68 Connector for Dosimeter Applications
- TGG.1K.305.GLAC40Z 1K Watertight Plug: 5-Pin IP68 Push-Pull Connector Replaces S21K0C-P05MFD0-400S | 120pcs to Brazil
- Spring Technology Push-pull Connectors for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- TGG.1K Straight Plug — Product Page
- 1K Series Connector
