Reliability and economic considerations for connector applications in undersea system designs

Undersea system design first and foremost addresses the system functional needs and requirements. However in applications utilizing undersea connectors, system design that solely addresses functionality can limit performance based on connector driven reliability and economic factors. Undersea connectors are available in numerous styles, configurations, and cost ranges where typical undersea connectors have evolved into two basic categories; wet connections and dry connections. Connector choice and application parameters can both simplify and complicate system design; and either enable operational success, or openly cause system failure. This paper reviews the application areas typical to the various types of undersea connectors, introduces economic and reliability factors as functions of undersea connector selection, and address applications, system design, maintenance and operational considerations.