Deutsch DT Connectors

Deutsch DT Connectors are the motorsport industry standard for general-purpose sealed wiring — used in race cars, marine vessels, industrial equipment, and aftermarket automotive builds worldwide. The DT Series accepts Size 16 contacts (14–20 AWG / 0.5–2.0 mm²) carrying 13 amps per circuit, offers cavity counts from 2 to 12, and delivers IP67-rated sealing that survives heat, vibration, and immersion. XTRA Motorsport stocks plugs, receptacles, wedgelocks, contacts, and accessories with shipping across the EU.

Technical Specifications

Property	Value
Contact size	Size 16
Rated current	13A per contact
Wire range	14–20 AWG (0.5–2.0 mm²)
Cavity options	2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12
IP rating	IP67
Operating temperature	−55 °C to +125 °C
Mating cycles	100 minimum (no electrical or mechanical defect)
Housing material	Thermoplastic
Sealing	Silicone wire seals + face seal
Locking	Integrated latch + wedgelock

DT vs DTM vs DTP — Which Series Do You Need?

	DT Series	DTM Series	DTP Series
Contact size	Size 16	Size 20	Size 12
Current per circuit	13A	7.5A	25A
Wire range	14–20 AWG (0.5–2.0 mm²)	20–24 AWG (0.35–0.5 mm²)	12–14 AWG (2.0–3.0 mm²)
Cavity options	2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12	2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12	2, 4, 6
Typical application	General harness wiring	Sensors, signal circuits	Power circuits

Choose DT for injectors, solenoids, actuators, ECU outputs, or any circuit using 14–20 AWG wire at up to 13A per pin.
Choose DTM for sensors, lambda probes, or low-current signal wiring on 20–24 AWG.
Choose DTP for battery feeds, alternators, or high-current power runs on 12–14 AWG.

Part Number Guide

Deutsch DT part numbers follow a consistent pattern:

DT04 — Receptacle housing (holds male pin contacts)
DT06 — Plug housing (holds female socket contacts)
Circuit count — 2, 3, 4, 6, 08, 12 (leading zero on 8-way)

Common suffix modifiers:

-E008 — standard grey housing
-E004 — black housing variant
-L012 — locking clip included

8 and 12-way keying colour codes (A/B/C/D suffix):

A — Grey (default)
B — Black
C — Green
D — Brown

Example: DT06-6S-E008 = 6-way plug, socket contacts, grey housing.

Every connector requires matching contacts and a wedgelock to be complete. Contacts and wedgelocks are stocked separately — see Deutsch Sockets and Pins.

What’s in the Range

Plugs (DT06) — socket / female contact housings, 2 to 12 way
Receptacles (DT04) — pin / male contact housings, 2 to 12 way
Contacts (Size 16) — solid or stamped barrel, sold individually
Wedgelocks — W2S / W2P through W12S / W12P, lock contacts and complete the rear seal
Accessories — backshells, dust caps, heat shrink boots, mounting clips, gaskets

Applications

Deutsch DT Connectors are used wherever a reliable, sealed multi-way connection is required:

Motorsport wiring harnesses — ECU connectors, PDM outputs, relay circuits, injector and ignition looms
Rally and circuit racing — designed to withstand sustained vibration, temperature cycling, and water ingress
Marine electrical systems — submersible sealing and corrosion resistance
Industrial and off-highway vehicles — agriculture, construction, and heavy-duty equipment standard
Aftermarket automotive — custom builds and harness restorations demanding sealed, serviceable connections

FAQ

What is the difference between DT04 and DT06?

DT04 is the receptacle housing, which holds male pin contacts. DT06 is the plug housing, which holds female socket contacts. The two housings mate together to form a complete connection — one DT04 and one DT06 per connector pair.

What is the current rating of Deutsch DT connectors?

13 amps per contact, using Size 16 contacts. Total connector load depends on the number of circuits used simultaneously and applicable derating factors.

What wire gauge do Deutsch DT connectors accept?

Size 16 contacts are rated for 14–20 AWG (0.5–2.0 mm²). Match the contact to your wire cross-section — oversizing or undersizing reduces crimp quality and retention.

Are Deutsch DT connectors waterproof?

Yes. The DT Series is rated IP67 — protected against temporary immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. Silicone wire seals and the face seal create a closed environmental barrier when the wedgelock is correctly fitted.

What is the difference between Deutsch DT and DTM connectors?

DT uses Size 16 contacts for 14–20 AWG wire at 13A per circuit. DTM uses Size 20 contacts for finer 20–24 AWG wire at 7.5A. Use DTM for sensor and signal wiring; use DT for actuators, solenoids, and higher-current circuits.

Do I need a wedgelock?

Yes. The wedgelock (W-series part number) locks contacts inside their cavities and closes the rear environmental seal. A connector without a fitted wedgelock is not fully sealed, and contacts can be displaced under vibration.