Amphenol uses the acronym APC to describe precision connectors. APC stands for Amphenol Precision Connectors and was developed by Amphenol and Hewlitt-Packard engineers. The Precision family is comprised of APC-2.4, APC-3.5, APC-7, and APC-N.
Amphenol’s APC is the first instrument-grade coaxial connector series to achieve repeatable TE11 mode resonance-free signal transmission from DC – 50 GHz with a minimum return loss of 26 dB. These 50 Ω connectors are designed primarily for use in test and measurement equipment where reliable performance is critical for repeated connect/disconnect cycles.

APC-2.4 was Amphenol’s initial precision offering, and includes the male and female connectors for termination to 2.4mm rigid coaxial airline cable. Also featured are 22 between-series adapters for high-performance transistors from the 2.4mm interface to the APC-3.5, APC-7, APC-N, SMA, and Wilton K – connectorTM interfaces.

APC-3.5 connectors are a high-performance 50 Ω coaxial connector designed to exhibit low VSWR, low loss, and to be resonance-free to 34 GHz. This line features an air dielectric mating face and a thicker outer conductor shoulder. APC-3.5 designs maintain mechanical and electrical integrity through repeated mating cycles, and they mate with SMA connectors.

APC-7 connectors are primarily used with rigid 7mm airline cable. They feature a sexless coupling mechanism that permits any two APC-7 connectors to mate. Certified test reports of VSWR are provided whenever a mated pair of APC-7 connectors is ordered.

APC-N connectors can be used interchangeably with the APC-7 on rigid airline cables or equipment, and they mate with all other Type N connectors. VSWR for a mated pair of APC-N connectors is 1.06 – 12. 4 GHz and 1.08 – 18 GHz.

Features & Benefits

Interface dimensions minimize distortion and deterioration of the mating surfaces
Fixed bead-contact assembly prevents transmission of mating torques to circuit elements
M7xO.75 thread for coupling durability and small overall connector size
Mating sequence touches outer contacts before center contacts, eliminating female center contact damage during mating
Plug coupling nut extends beyond the male center contact, protecting the contact while not mated

Applications

Cable Assemblies
Instrumentation
Military
Radio Astronomy
Satcom

APC-2.4 Specifications
Impedance	50 Ω
Frequency Range	DC – 50 GHz
Return Loss	DC – 18 GHz: > 36 dB 18 – 26.5 GHz: > 32 dB 26.5 – 50 GHz: > 26 dB
Insertion Loss	0.06 dB
Outer Contact Resistance	< 0.8 mΩ
Inner Contact Resistance	< 1.5 mΩ
Voltage Rating	400 vrms
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage	1200 vrms maximum
Maximum Power	1000 W / vf(MHz) @ sea level
Mating	M7 x 0.75 threaded coupling
Mating Torque	0.9 – 1.1 N-m
Body	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Coupling Nut	Passivated stainless steel
Temperature Range	-70°C to +80°C

APC-3.5 Specifications
Impedance	50 Ω
Frequency Range	DC – 34 GHz
VSWR	1.01 + .004f (GHz)
Insertion Loss in dB	.015 vf(MHz)
Outer Contact Resistance	< 0.4 mΩ
Inner Contact Resistance	< 2.0 mΩ
RF Leakage	> 100 dB @ 26.5 GHz
Voltage Rating	500 vrms
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage	1500 vrms maximum
Maximum Power	2.5 kW / vf(MHZ) above 1 MHz @ sea level
Mating	¼ – 36 threaded coupling
Body and Coupling Nut	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Center Contacts	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Temperature Range	-65°C to +85°C
Humidity	20 – 80% RH
Pressure	590 – 780 mm Hg

APC-7 Specifications
Impedance	50 Ω
Frequency Range	0 – 18 GHz
VSWR	1.003 + .002f (GHz)
Insertion Loss in dB	< 7 x 10-3 vf(MHz)
Outer Contact Resistance	< 0.1 mΩ
Inner Contact Resistance	< 1.0 mΩ
RF Leakage	< signal inside coaxial line by ratio > 120 dB
Electrical Length	.693 inches (1.76 cm)
Voltage Rating	1000 vrms
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage	2500 vrms maximum
Maximum Power	10 kW up to 1 MHz @ sea level Above 1 MHz = 10 kW / vf(MHz) @ sea level
Mating	Sexless, coplanar by means of threaded ring housed within coupling nut
Life	> 5000 connect/disconnect cycles
Coupling Mechanism	Stainless steel
Body	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Center Contacts	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Dielectric Support	Air-polyphenelene oxide composite
Clamping Components	Nickel-plated brass
Crimp Ferrule	Nickel-plated copper
Temperature Range	Storage: -65°C to +85°C Operating: -13°C to +33°C
Humidity	20 – 80% RH
Pressure	590 – 780 mm Hg

APC-N Specifications
Impedance	50 Ω ± 0.1 Ω
Frequency Range	0 – 18 GHz
VSWR	1.08 max to 18 GHz
Insertion Loss in dB	< 3 x 10-2 vf(GHz)
Outer Contact Resistance	< 1.1 mΩ
Inner Contact Resistance	< 10 mΩ
RF Leakage	< signal inside coaxial line by ratio > 90 dB
Voltage Rating	1000 vrms
Dielectric Withstanding Voltage	2500 vrms maximum
Maximum Power	10 kW up to 1 MHz @ sea level Above 1 MHz = 10 kW / vf(MHz) @ sea level
Mating	11/16 – 24 threaded coupling. Mating dimensions are MIL-C-39012 Class II nominal with tighter tolerances. The APC-N mates with all existing Type N connectors including MIL-C-71
Body and Coupling Nut	Stainless steel
Center Contacts	Gold-plated beryllium copper
Bead Assembly	Air-polyphenelene oxide composite
Clamping Components	Nickel-plated brass
Crimp Ferrule	Nickel-plated copper
Temperature Range	Storage: -55°C to +70°C Operating: -13°C to +33°C
Humidity	20 – 80% RH
Pressure	590 – 780 mm Hg