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If you are building a motorsport wiring harness in Australia, Deutsch connectors are one of the first things you need to understand. Used by professional harness builders, auto electricians and motorsport teams worldwide, the Deutsch range is the most widely recognised environmentally sealed connector system in the performance automotive industry. This guide explains the main series, their specs and which one to use for each application.

What Are Deutsch Connectors

Deutsch connectors are a range of environmentally sealed crimp-type connectors manufactured by TE Connectivity. They are designed for use in harsh environments including engine bays, transmissions, chassis and anywhere exposed to moisture, vibration, fuels and extreme temperatures. All Deutsch DT family connectors operate across a temperature range of -55 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius and feature thermoplastic housings with silicone seals that allow the connector to withstand immersion under three feet of water when properly assembled. They are rated to 1500 VAC dielectric withstanding voltage and show no mechanical or electrical damage after sinusoidal vibration levels of 20G at 10 to 2000 Hz in each of three perpendicular planes.

Contacts are hand insertable and removable, provide tactile and audible feedback on insertion and are retained by fail-safe secondary locks on all series except the DTHD.

The Deutsch DTM Series

The DTM is the smallest and most compact connector in the DT family and is the go-to choice for sensor wiring, signal circuits and low current applications in a motorsport harness. It uses size 20 contacts rated at 7.5 amps continuous at 125 degrees Celsius. Wire sealing accepts 16 to 22 AWG wire insulation diameters from 1.35mm to 3.05mm, making it ideal for use with Tefzel mil-spec wire. Available in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 cavity configurations.

Common DTM applications include MAP sensors, IAT sensors, coolant temperature sensors, pressure sensors, CAN bus circuits, hall effect sensors, boost solenoids, flex fuel sensors and other low current ECU inputs and outputs. The DTM's compact size makes it popular in high density engine harness builds where space and routing efficiency matter.

The Deutsch DT Series

The DT series is the most widely used Deutsch connector in motorsport and automotive applications. It is built on the same design as the DTM but uses size 16 contacts rated at 13 amps continuous at 125 degrees Celsius. Wire sealing accepts 14 to 20 AWG wire, with the standard seal accepting insulation diameters from 2.24mm to 3.68mm and the thin wall seal accepting 1.35mm to 3.05mm for use with mil-spec Tefzel wire. Available in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 cavity configurations.

The DT series suits moderate current circuits including fuel pumps, thermo fans, relay triggers, solenoid valves and a wide range of ECU outputs. Its combination of 13 amp capacity, environmental sealing and ease of assembly makes it the workhorse of the Deutsch range for motorsport harness builds.

The Deutsch DTP Series

The DTP series is the power connector of the DT family. It uses size 12 contacts rated at 25 amps continuous at 125 degrees Celsius, accepts 10 to 14 AWG wire and is available in 2 and 4 cavity configurations only. It uses the same DT receptacle shell design as the standard DT series.

DTP connectors are used wherever high current is required in a harness, including fuel pump feeds, thermo fan circuits, ignition coil power, high current solenoids and other power distribution circuits. When combined with a PDM such as the Haltech PD16, DTP connectors are the natural choice for the high current output circuits.

The Deutsch HD Series

The HD30 and HDP20 series are heavy duty circular connectors designed for the truck, bus and off-highway industry but widely used in motorsport for bulkhead applications. Both use a bayonet coupling system for a vibration resistant locking mechanism and accept contact sizes 4 through to 20. The HD30 features a metal shell while the HDP20 uses a thermoplastic housing. These connectors are available in multiple pin configurations and are the natural choice when routing a harness through a firewall or bulk connector point.

Which Deutsch Connector Do I Need

For sensor and signal circuits up to 7.5 amps using 16 to 22 AWG wire, use the DTM series. For moderate current circuits up to 13 amps using 14 to 20 AWG wire, use the DT series. For power circuits up to 25 amps using 10 to 14 AWG wire, use the DTP series. For firewall bulkhead applications requiring a multi-pin circular connector, use the HD or HDP20 series.

Crimping Deutsch Connectors

Deutsch connectors require proper crimping tools to achieve the performance specifications the connectors are designed for. The HDT-48-00 is the most commonly used hand crimp tool and covers solid contacts in sizes 12, 16 and 20. For stamped and formed contacts the DTT series hand tools are wire gauge specific. Using incorrect or uncalibrated tooling will compromise the crimp joint and the connector will not perform to specification.

Buy Deutsch Connectors in Australia

12Volt Motorsports stocks the full Deutsch DT, DTM and DTP connector range in Australia including individual connectors, complete kits and bulk pins and sockets. We are a Melbourne based motorsport wiring specialist and stock everything needed for a complete harness build alongside your connectors including Tefzel mil-spec wire, Raychem DR25 sleeving and milspec bulkhead connectors. Fast shipping Australia wide.