FCR1508M Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 8 Pin Male
Keywords： metal shell underwater connector, FCR1508M, hard shell subsea connector, metal shell 1500 series, 8 pin hard shell connector, FCR BCR subsea connector, 690 bar metal connector, ROV hard shell connector, flange connector subsea, bulkhead hard shell connect
- IP68 waterproof
- Up to 7000m
- In-line, 1Pin, Male
- RV POWER GROUP
- [email protected]
-
- Description
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The FCR1508M is a Metal Shell 1500 Series Hard-Shell Flange Connector (FCR), Shell 15 (compact), 8-pin Male (pin contacts), rated to 690 Bar (10,000 psi) (7,000 m depth) mated. Unlike rubber-body wet-mate connectors, the Metal Shell series features a rigid stainless steel or aluminium outer shell that provides superior mechanical protection in high-impact ROV tool-change environments, drilling mud exposure, and abrasive sand-laden currents. The hard shell also enables direct welding or bolting of the FCR flange to subsea equipment structure for permanent, high-integrity installation. 600 V DC/AC rms rated, 10 A per contact per contact (80 A total), with gold-plated beryllium copper contacts and nitrile O-ring seals.
At a glance: Metal Shell 1500 Series | Shell 15 | 8 pins | Male | 600 V DC/AC rms | 10 A per contact | 80 A total | Mated 690 Bar (10,000 psi) | Open-face 480 Bar (7,000 psi) | Wet matings >500
Key Design Features
- Rigid Hard-Shell Body — Superior Impact Protection: Stainless steel outer shell withstands ROV manipulator impacts, tool-change collisions, and deployment through drill-floor handling equipment that would damage rubber-body connectors.
- FCR Flange Mount — Direct Equipment Integration: FCR flange is weld-ready or bolt-ready — directly integrates into subsea equipment structure, ROV panel bulkheads, and instrument housing end-caps without separate mounting hardware.
- 690 Bar / 10,000 psi Mated Pressure: Burton 55-series equivalent depth rating — qualifies for all work-class ROV and standard subsea oil & gas installation depths worldwide.
- 480 Bar Open-Face Rating: Metal shell provides additional protection to connector face during deployment without mating counterpart — rated to approximately 7,000 m open-face.
- 600 V DC/AC rms / 10 A per contact (80 A total): Handles both high-current power and low-level signal circuits simultaneously; gold-plated contacts maintain low resistance over the service life.
- Shell 15 — compact Form Factor: Compact shell for tight ROV panel layouts and space-constrained equipment housings; compatible with standard 55-series connector hardware.
- Gold-Plated Beryllium Copper Contacts: Contact resistance <0.01 Ω; insulation resistance >200 MΩ; gold plating prevents galvanic corrosion between contact and seawater ground paths.
- Stainless Steel or Titanium Shell Options: 316 SS standard; titanium option for lightweight deep-water applications or where magnetic signature control is required.
- >500 Wet-Mate Cycles: Precision-machined mating face with O-ring wiper seals; rated for all standard ROV tool-change and hot-stab operational profiles.
Electrical & Mechanical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model number | FCR1508M |
| Series | Metal Shell 1500 Series |
| Shell size | Shell 15 (1500 series) |
| Configuration | Flange Connector (FCR) — Male |
| Number of contacts | 8 |
| Voltage rating | 600 V DC/AC rms |
| Current per contact | 10 A per contact |
| Maximum total current | 80 A |
| Insulation resistance | >200 MΩ |
| Contact resistance | <0.01 Ω |
| Mated pressure rating | 690 Bar (10,000 psi) |
| Open-face pressure rating | 480 Bar (7,000 psi) |
| Rated depth (mated) | 7,000 m |
| Wet-mate cycles | >500 |
| Temperature (water) | −4°C to +60°C |
| Temperature (air) | −40°C to +60°C |
| Outer shell material | 316 Stainless Steel (Titanium on request) |
| Insert / body material | Chloroprene rubber over-mould with hard shell |
| Contacts | Gold-plated beryllium copper |
| Locking mechanism | POM or Stainless Steel locking sleeve (mandatory) |
| O-ring seals | Nitrile |
| Mounting (FCR) | Flange with bolt circle — weld or bolt to structure |
| Mounting (BCR) | Jam-nut panel mount |
Typical Applications
- Work-class ROV panel connectors where rubber-body connectors risk impact damage from tool-change operations
- Subsea junction box (SJB) and flying lead connector ports — direct weld or bolt to SJB body structure
- ROV tooling skid power and signal breakout — high-impact environment at the tool-change interface
- Subsea tree and christmas tree (XT) instrumentation connectors
- Subsea control module (SCM) umbilical termination feedthroughs
- Offshore drilling equipment — blowout preventer (BOP) instrument connections exposed to drilling mud and debris
- Subsea hydraulic control system combined electrical and hydraulic panels
- Naval and defence underwater vehicle hard-point connector ports
- Subsea production manifold wiring for extreme-reliability applications requiring a rigid, mechanical-resistant connector
Why Choose the FCR1508M?
Hard-Shell — Built for Impact-Heavy Environments
The Metal Shell series solves the core limitation of rubber-body connectors in high-impact ROV work: the rigid stainless steel outer shell absorbs manipulator impacts, tool-tray collisions, and deck-handling abuse that would damage or de-form a chloroprene body. The connector face geometry is preserved even after repeated rough handling.
690 Bar / 10,000 psi — Full Work-Class Depth
Matching the Burton 55-series depth rating, the FCR1508M covers all standard oil & gas operating depths and most scientific ROV profiles. Every connector is pressure-tested to the rated depth before shipment.
Direct Structural Integration via FCR Flange
The FCR flange can be directly welded or bolted to subsea equipment structure — eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and reducing the total connector-to-structure joint count. A single continuous weld provides a more reliable structural and pressure boundary than clamp or threaded fittings.
Mixed Power and Signal in One Connector
With 8 contacts rated at 600 V DC/AC rms / 10 A per contact, the FCR1508M handles both power distribution and sensor signal circuits in a single connector — reducing the total number of connector penetrations required in a subsea pressure housing or SJB panel.
Lifetime Technical Support
RV Power Group supplies mating counterparts, locking sleeves, dummy plugs, and factory-terminated cable assemblies for all Metal Shell 1500 and 2000 series connectors. Contact [email protected] for complete system quotations and application engineering support.
Complete Metal Shell Connector Range
| Product | Model | Series | Type | Pins | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCR1504M Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 4 Pin Male | FCR1504M | 1500 | FCR | 4 | M |
| FCR1506M Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 6 Pin Male | FCR1506M | 1500 | FCR | 6 | M |
| FCR1508M Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 8 Pin Male | FCR1508M | 1500 | FCR | 8 | M |
| FCR1508F Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 8 Pin Female | FCR1508F | 1500 | FCR | 8 | F |
| BCR1508F Metal Shell 1500 Series Underwater Connector 8 Pin Female | BCR1508F | 1500 | BCR | 8 | F |
| FCR2002F Metal Shell 2000 Series Underwater Connector 2 Pin Female | FCR2002F | 2000 | FCR | 2 | F |
| BCR2004F Metal Shell 2000 Series Underwater Connector 4 Pin Female | BCR2004F | 2000 | BCR | 4 | F |
| BCR2004M Metal Shell 2000 Series Underwater Connector 4 Pin Male | BCR2004M | 2000 | BCR | 4 | M |
| FCR2010F Metal Shell 2000 Series Underwater Connector 10 Pin Female | FCR2010F | 2000 | FCR | 10 | F |
How to Select Your Metal Shell Connector
| Criterion | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Shell series | 1500 (Shell 15): compact, up to 8 pin; 2000 (Shell 20): medium, up to 10+ pin |
| Connector type | FCR: flange mount (weld/bolt to structure); BCR: bulkhead/panel jam-nut mount |
| Pin count | Match to your circuit count; each pin handles up to 600 V / 10 A per contact |
| Gender | M (male pins) on the cable/mating plug side; F (female sockets) on the fixed/bulkhead side |
| Body material | 316 SS standard; titanium for weight or magnetic-signature-sensitive applications |
| Mating counterparts | Each FCR/BCR requires a mating cable plug (CCP) of same shell size and pin count — sold separately |
| Locking sleeves | POM or SS — always install before deployment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the advantage of a metal shell over a rubber-body connector?
A: The rigid stainless steel outer shell provides superior impact resistance, maintains connector face geometry after rough handling, and enables direct structural mounting (weld or bolt for FCR) that is not possible with a rubber body. Choose metal shell for high-impact, heavy-duty environments; rubber body for flexibility and lower weight.
Q: What is the rated depth for the FCR1508M?
A: Mated pressure rating is 690 Bar (10,000 psi) (7,000 m equivalent). Open-face rating is 480 Bar (7,000 psi).
Q: What voltage and current does the FCR1508M support?
A: 600 V DC/AC rms, 10 A per contact (80 A total connector current rating).
Q: Can the FCR flange be welded directly to equipment structure?
A: Yes — the FCR flange is designed for direct weld integration to stainless steel or carbon steel equipment structure. The weld procedure and inspection requirements should follow the equipment manufacturer's welding specification for subsea pressure-boundary components.
Q: Is a locking sleeve required?
A: Yes — always install the POM or SS locking sleeve after mating. The hard shell does not prevent rotation of the coupling nut without the locking sleeve engaged.
Q: What is the difference between FCR and BCR?
A: FCR (Flange Connector) has a bolt-circle flange for direct attachment to equipment structure. BCR (Bulkhead Connector) uses a jam-nut for panel installation. Both accept the same mating cable plug (CCP) of the matching shell size and pin count.
Q: Are matching cable plugs (CCP) available?
A: Yes — RV Power Group supplies complete matched sets (FCR/BCR + CCP + locking sleeves + dummy plugs). Contact [email protected].
Q: Are pressure test certificates available?
A: Yes — batch or per-unit hydrostatic pressure test certificates to 690 Bar are available for oil & gas operator approval programmes.
Q: Can I get titanium shell versions?
A: Yes — titanium outer shell and flange/bulkhead hardware is available on request. Specify at time of order.
Q: What maintenance is required?
A: Rinse with fresh water after every seawater exposure. Inspect the stainless steel shell annually for crevice corrosion at the rubber-to-metal interface. Lubricate O-rings before storage. Replace contacts if resistance exceeds 0.05 Ω.
Installation, Mating & Maintenance Guidelines
FCR Flange Installation
(1) Clean the mounting surface to remove weld scale, paint, or contamination in the bolt circle area. (2) Position the FCR flange with the connector face oriented for clear mating access — confirm alignment with the mating CCP cable direction. (3) Weld or bolt per the equipment manufacturer's specification; torque all bolts uniformly in a cross pattern. (4) After installation, pressure-test the housing boundary that includes the FCR flange before connector mating. (5) Inspect weld bead or bolt torque annually during operational inspection intervals.
Mating Procedure
(1) Isolate all power circuits before mating or de-mating in air. (2) Inspect all contacts for corrosion, debris, or deformation — clean with a dry lint-free cloth. (3) Inspect O-rings and apply fresh silicone grease. (4) Align guide pin with guide socket and insert CCP into FCR/BCR with a single smooth stroke. (5) Thread coupling nut finger-tight. (6) Install and lock the POM or SS locking sleeve (mandatory). (7) Conduct pre-dive insulation resistance test (≥200 MΩ) before energising.
Storage & Long-Term Maintenance
Install protective caps or dummy plugs on all unmated connector faces. Store in a dry, UV-shaded environment. Flush with fresh water after every seawater exposure. Inspect crevice corrosion at rubber-to-steel interface annually — apply crevice corrosion inhibitor if any staining is found. Replace O-rings every 2–3 years. Log all mating cycles and inspection dates.
For pricing, matched sets (FCR/BCR + CCP + locking sleeves), and technical support for the FCR1508M, contact [email protected]. Our subsea engineering team responds within one business day.