Plessey Breeze 5 way male connector (fixed unit), on Rolls-Royce Olympus engine anti-icing valve
The Plessey Breeze connectors were one of the earliest types of multi-way connector used within aircraft wiring systems. They also go by the name of "standard plugs and sockets".
"Fixed units" are panel mounted while "Free units" are cable mounted. There are different body sizes, numerous contact arrangements, and contacts of different current ratings. In addition to these variations, there are also differing types of construction and materials which are built to withstand differing challenges such as climate, vibration and heat.
The contacts are silver plated brass, while the bodies are either aluminium or steel (flame proof). Contacts have various different means of being mounted depending on the type of connector, some contacts are loose, and some are fixed to an insulator.
While there are many variations, two connectors of the same contact layout will mate together, even if they are of different construction and materials.
A "free unit" is a cable mounted connector. It houses female contact receptacles. The body is externally threaded.
To connect or disconnect a free unit to/from a fixed unit, firstly the coupling nut needs to be loosened to allow the body to freely rotate against the cut ferrule (strain relief), if this is not done, the wires will end up twisted/damaged within the body. There is also the chance of stressing or breaking the fixed unit pins as the free unit insert tries to rotate with the body.
A "fixed unit" is a panel mounted connector. It houses male contact pins. The body is internally threaded.
| Manufacturer: | Plessey |
| Manufacturer P.N.: | - |
5 way, fixed unit, mounted to an anti-icing valve of a Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbine engine.
Plessey Breeze 5 way male connector (fixed unit), on Rolls-Royce Olympus engine anti-icing valve
| Manufacturer: | Plessey |
| Manufacturer P.N.: | - |
2 way, fixed unit, mounted to an engine oil pressure warning switch from Lightning T5, XS452. Dated 1983
Plessey Breeze 2 way male connector (fixed unit), on oil pressure switch
| Manufacturer: | Plessey |
| Manufacturer P.N.: | - |
26 way, fixed unit and mating free unit, both fitted with with cut ferrule cable strain relief.
Plessey Breeze 26 way free unit and fixed unit separated
Cord is used to lash the cable to the cut ferrule. The cord is missing from the free unit's ferrule in this example.
Plessey Breeze 26 way free unit and fixed unit mated
| Stores Ref. No.: | 5X/9078 |
| Manufacturer: | Plessey |
| Manufacturer P.N.: | 508/1/03944 |
| Shell Size: | Z |
| Rating: | 150°C |
5 way, free unit, would match the Olympus engine anti-icing valve fixed unit connector shown above. It is fitted with a Hellermann Sealing Gland Mk II
Plessey Breeze 5 way free unit
Plessey Breeze 5 way free unit
This type of sealing gland provides sealing around the wires, and strain relief. It utilises a central screw, encased in an insulator, an external tie is used to lash the wires to the insulator. This assembly passes through a rubber gland, and screws into an internal plate. The rubber gland is manufactured with holes to pass the wires through. The action of tightening the strain relief screw compresses the rubber gland, sealing it against the wires and the body. See the Hellermann advert below.
Plessey Breeze 5 way free unit
The Breeze corporation of Great Britain - formation announcement
Published: Aeroplane, 23rd September 1936
Source: Aviation Ancestry
US Breeze Corporation Inc - Cable shielding
Published: Flying, January 1946
Source: Aviation Ancestry
Plessey advert - Breeze pre-formed wiring
Published: Aeroplane, May 1950
Source: Aviation Ancestry
Plessey advert - wiring systems
Published: Aeroplane, 29th December 1950
Source: Aviation Ancestry
Plessey advert - Blue arrow service
Published: Aeroplane, 29th August 1958
Source: Aviation Ancestry
Hellermann advert - Sealing gland Mk II
Published: Aeroplane, 6th May 1955
Source: Aviation Ancestry
Plessey Breeze System of Electrics - Handbook:
Technical Description & Instruction Handbook of Breeze Electrical System For Aircraft, 1940s (131 MB)
Plessey Catalogue:
Plessey Publication 863, Standard Plugs And Sockets Catalogue
Standard Design Memorandum:
SDM(A) 16-2, 1953, Electrical Plugs and Sockets, Breeze Series
Electrical Manual:
A.P.4343C, Volume 1, Section 5, Chapter 1, A.L.67, June 1956 - Plessey Wiring System
Electrical Manual, updated (formerly A.P.4343):
A.P.113D-1825-1, December 1967 - Plessey Standard Breeze Connectors
S.T.T.N. Aircraft cables and wiring systems
AP3275A Section 1, Chapter 2, 1967, Plessey Wiring System
Part of an HS748 Aircraft Manual:
Types Of Standard Plessey (Breeze) Socket