The 5501-2021 is a Burton-Compatible 55 Series Cable-to-Cable Plug (CCP) — wet-mate in-line connector for cable-to-cable or cable-to-equipment connections, Shell 20, 21-pin, rated to 690 Bar (10,000 psi) mated / 480 Bar open-face. The 55 Series is the subsea industry's most widely deployed connector standard — designed for interoperability across ROV tooling, work-class vehicles, umbilical terminations, and subsea production equipment worldwide. This unit is manufactured to full Burton 55-series dimensional compatibility, ensuring drop-in replacement and interchangeability with connectors from all major 55-series manufacturers.
At a glance: Shell 20 | Pins 21 | 600 V | 10 A/contact | Mated 690 Bar | Open-face 480 Bar | Wet matings >500
Key Design Features
- Burton 55-Series Dimensional Compatibility: Manufactured to full industry-standard 55-series dimensions — interchangeable with MacArtney SubConn, SEACON, SubC Imaging, and all other major 55-series suppliers.
- 690 Bar / 10,000 psi Mated Pressure: Rated for work-class ROV operating depths to ~7,000 m (23,000 ft) — covers the vast majority of subsea oil & gas and scientific operations worldwide.
- 480 Bar Open-Face Rated: Can be safely lowered to depth unmated (contacts exposed) without damage — critical for ROV tool deployment and recovery operations.
- Shell 20, 21-Pin Configuration: Cable-to-cable plug — supports common ROV tooling, umbilical, and equipment wiring configurations.
- 600 V / 10 A per Contact: Handles power, signal, and data circuits simultaneously; gold-plated contacts minimise resistance in multi-conductor applications.
- Chloroprene Rubber Body: High flexibility and chemical resistance in seawater, drilling fluids, and hydraulic contaminated environments.
- Stainless Steel / Titanium Hardware: Coupling nut and shell hardware available in 316 SS as standard; titanium on request for lightweight or corrosion-critical applications.
- >500 Wet Matings: Designed and tested for repeated underwater connect/disconnect cycles typical of ROV hot-stab and tool-change operations.
- Gold-Plated Contacts: Beryllium copper male contacts and brass female sockets, both gold-plated, deliver contact resistance <0.01 Ω and long-term corrosion immunity.
Electrical & Mechanical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model number | 5501-2021 |
| Connector series | Burton-Compatible 55 Series |
| Configuration | CCP |
| Shell size | 20 |
| Number of contacts / channels | 21 |
| Voltage rating | 600 V DC/AC rms |
| Current per contact | 10 A per contact |
| Maximum total current | 30 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) |
| Wet / dry matings | >500 cycles |
| Temperature rating (water) | −4°C to +60°C |
| Temperature rating (air) | −40°C to +60°C |
| Connector body material | Chloroprene rubber |
| Shell / housing material | 316 Stainless Steel (Titanium on request) |
| Contacts | Gold-plated brass (female) / Gold-plated beryllium copper (male) |
| Locking mechanism | POM or Stainless Steel locking sleeve (mandatory before deployment) |
| O-ring seals | Nitrile |
| Cable jacket | Polyurethane (PUR) or Synthetic Rubber — customer-specified OD |
Typical Applications
- Work-class ROV umbilical terminations — primary tether power and signal breakout
- ROV tooling and tool-change systems requiring frequent wet-mate connect/disconnect
- Subsea oil & gas production tree and Xmas tree instrumentation wiring
- Subsea junction boxes (SJBs) and flying lead assemblies
- Offshore renewable energy — offshore wind subsea cable and sensor connections
- Oceanographic research winch systems and towed array terminations
- Diving bell and saturation diving support systems
- Remotely Operated Tool (ROT) systems and intervention equipment
- Subsea hydraulic control systems — combined power, signal, and fibre multiplexing
Why Choose 5501-2021 (55 Series)?
The Global Standard for Subsea Connectivity
The 55-series connector is the most widely deployed subsea connector standard in the world — used on virtually every work-class ROV, subsea tree, and SJB in the oil & gas industry. By offering Burton-compatible 55-series hardware, RV Power Group ensures your spare inventory is immediately usable across all OEM and aftermarket connector hardware without adapters or modification.
690 Bar / 10,000 psi — Work-Class Depth Coverage
Rated to 690 Bar mated (≈7,000 m depth) and 480 Bar open-face, the 5501-2021 covers the full depth range of all working-class ROVs and the vast majority of permanent subsea installation depths. Every connector is pressure-tested before shipment.
Interoperability Across All Major Manufacturers
Burton 55-series dimensional compatibility means the 5501-2021 mates with connector hardware from MacArtney SubConn, SEACON, SubC Imaging, Teledyne Impulse, and all other 55-series manufacturers. Mixed-fleet ROV fleets can source from RV Power Group without system-level redesign.
Broad Stock Availability
RV Power Group holds inventory of common 55-series shell and pin combinations, enabling rapid dispatch for emergency ROV downtime situations. Custom shell/pin/material combinations are manufactured to order with competitive lead times.
Full Material Traceability
All 55-series connectors are supplied with material traceability and test documentation on request — required by major oil & gas operators (BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor) for subsea equipment approval.
Complete 55-Series & Industry-Standard Connector Range
| Product | Model | Type | Shell | Pins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5506-1503 Burton Compatible 55 Series Flange Pin Insert, Shell 20, 3 Pin | 5506-1503 | FCR | 20 | 3 |
| 5507-1503 Burton Compatible 55 Series Bulkhead Pin Insert, Shell 20, 3 Pin | 5507-1503 | BCR | 20 | 3 |
| 5501-1503 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 15, 3 Pin | 5501-1503 | CCP | 15 | 3 |
| 5501-1504 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 15, 4 Pin | 5501-1504 | CCP | 15 | 4 |
| 5501-1506 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 15, 6 Pin | 5501-1506 | CCP | 15 | 6 |
| 5501-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 15, 8 Pin | 5501-1508 | CCP | 15 | 8 |
| 5501-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Dummy Plug, Shell 15, 8 Pin | 5501-1508-DUM | Dummy | 15 | 8 |
| 5507-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Bulkhead Pin Insert, Shell 15, 8 Pin | 5507-1508 | BCR | 15 | 8 |
| 5506-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Flange Pin Insert, Shell 15, 8 Pin | 5506-1508 | FCR | 15 | 8 |
| 55P1-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Pressure Balanced Oil Filled (PBOF), Shell 15, 8 Pin | 55P1-1508 | PBOF | 15 | 8 |
| 55R1-1508 Burton Compatible 55 Series Right Angle Socket Insert, Shell 15, 8 Pin | 55R1-1508 | RA | 15 | 8 |
| 5501-2008 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 20, 8 Pin | 5501-2008 | CCP | 20 | 8 |
| 5501-2412 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 24, 12 Pin | 5501-2412 | CCP | 24 | 12 |
| 5507-2008 Burton Compatible 55 Series Bulkhead Pin Insert, Shell 20, 8 Pin | 5507-2008 | BCR | 20 | 8 |
| 5501-2013 Burton Compatible 55 Series Ethernet Cable Plug, Shell 20, 13 Pin | 5501-2013-ETH | Ethernet | 20 | 13 |
| 5501-2013 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 20, 13 Pin | 5501-2013 | CCP | 20 | 13 |
| 5506-2013 Burton Compatible 55 Series Flange Pin Insert, Shell 20, 13 Pin | 5506-2013 | FCR | 20 | 13 |
| 5507-2021 Burton Compatible 55 Series Bulkhead Pin Insert, Shell 20, 21 Pin | 5507-2021 | BCR | 20 | 21 |
| 5501-2021 Burton Compatible 55 Series Cable Plug, Shell 20, 21 Pin | 5501-2021 | CCP | 20 | 21 |
| SEACON MIN-M Compatible MINM-FCR, Size M, 26 Pin #20 | MINM-FCR | FCR | M | 26 |
| SEACON MIN-M Compatible MINM-CCP, Size M, 26 Pin #20 | MINM-CCP | CCP | M | 26 |
| SEACON Compatible CS-MS Electrical Dry-Mate Connector CS-MS-J-09-CCP | CS-MS-J-09-CCP | CCP | 09 | 9 |
| IE2M EO Underwater Pluggable Connector | IE2M | EO-plug | — | 2 |
| IE2F EO Underwater Pluggable Connector | IE2F | EO-plug | — | 2 |
| IE2M-BC EO Underwater Pluggable Connector Bulkhead | IE2M-BC | EO-bcr | — | 2 |
| IE2F-BC EO Underwater Pluggable Connector Bulkhead | IE2F-BC | EO-bcr | — | 2 |
| IEB4M EO Underwater Pluggable Connector | IEB4M | EO-plug | — | 4 |
| IEB4F EO Underwater Pluggable Connector | IEB4F | EO-plug | — | 4 |
| MCIL8F + MCDLSF — 55R1-1508 EO Cable Assembly, 8 Way Male/Female | MCIL8F+MCDLSF | Cable | — | 8 |
| 865MC Pigtail EO Cable 8-Way Male/Female (86-5 Series) | 865MC | Pigtail | — | 8 |
| LPMBH-7-MP Low-Profile Micro In-Line 7-Pin Male/Female EO Cable Bulkhead | LPMBH-7-MP | BH | — | 7 |
| MINI-Con MINK-CCP 19 Pin #22 Female | MINK-CCP | CCP | — | 19 |
How to Select Your 55-Series or Compatible Connector
| Selection Criterion | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Shell size | Shell 15 (small, up to 8 pin); Shell 20 (medium, up to 21 pin); Shell 24 (large, 12+ pin); Size M (SEACON MIN-M, 26 pin) |
| Pin count | Match to cable conductor count; select next size up if adding spares |
| Connector type | CCP for cable-to-cable or cable-to-equipment; BCR/FCR for panel/bulkhead mount; PBOF for extreme pressure; RA for right-angle installations; Dummy for connector protection |
| Voltage and current | Shell 15 (2-4 pin): 10 A/contact; Shell 15 (5+ pin): 10 A/contact; Shell 20: 10 A/contact; Shell 24: 5 A/contact |
| EO connectors | Select IE-series (2 or 4 channel) for optical data links; specify SM for runs >100 m, MM for shorter runs |
| PBOF requirement | Use 55P1-1508 PBOF variant when open-face or connector boot cannot be rated for ambient sea pressure (very deep or unusual umbilical designs) |
| Dummy plugs | Always install a dummy plug on unmated bulkhead or cable connectors before deployment to protect contacts and sealing faces |
| Custom requirements | Contact for non-standard pin counts, body materials, or pressure test certifications |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the 5501-2021 compatible with original Burton 55-series connectors?
A: Yes — the 5501-2021 is manufactured to full Burton 55-series dimensional compatibility. It mates reliably with genuine Burton connectors and with other major brands (MacArtney SubConn, SEACON, SubC) that follow the same standard.
Q: What is the maximum operating depth?
A: Mated pressure is 690 Bar (10,000 psi) (approximately 69 m depth). Open-face rating is 480 Bar (7,000 psi).
Q: How many times can the connector be mated?
A: The 5501-2021 is rated for >500 wet-mate cycles. Inspect and clean contacts every 50 cycles or annually.
Q: What voltage and current does the connector support?
A: 600 V DC/AC rms, 10 A per contact (30 A total connector limit). Both power and signal circuits can share the same multi-pin connector.
Q: Is a locking sleeve required?
A: Yes — always install the POM or SS locking sleeve after mating and before deployment. Never deploy without the locking sleeve engaged; it prevents accidental unmating under cable tension or sea-state vibration.
Q: Can I mix connector brands (e.g. RV Power Group plug with another brand bulkhead)?
A: Yes — the 55-series standard guarantees dimensional interoperability across all Burton-compatible manufacturers. Always confirm the mating thread and contact gender before installation.
Q: What materials are available for the shell and coupling nut?
A: 316 Stainless Steel is the standard. Titanium is available on request for weight-sensitive or corrosion-critical applications. Anodised aluminium is available for above-water or shallow-water applications.
Q: Are pressure test certificates available?
A: Yes — batch or per-unit hydrostatic pressure test certificates can be provided for programme QA requirements.
Q: What cleaning and maintenance is required?
A: Before mating: rinse with clean water, inspect contacts for corrosion or debris, apply a thin layer of silicone grease to O-rings. After deployment: rinse with fresh water, cap unused connectors, and store in a clean dry environment. Replace O-rings if cracked or compressed permanently.
Q: Can I order custom cable assemblies with these connectors?
A: Yes. RV Power Group supplies factory-terminated cable assemblies with specified cable type, length, shielding, and lead configuration.
Installation, Mating & Maintenance Guidelines
Pre-Deployment Inspection
(1) Visually inspect all contacts for corrosion, deformation, or debris. (2) Check O-rings for cuts, abrasion, or permanent set — replace if in doubt. (3) Apply fresh silicone grease to O-ring surfaces. (4) Confirm locking sleeve moves freely and engages positively. (5) Remove protective caps from both connector halves immediately before mating — minimise air exposure time on flooded dummy plug sockets. (6) If using a PBOF variant, verify oil fill port is sealed and oil level is correct before deployment.
Mating Procedure
(1) Align guide pins/key and insert plug into bulkhead/receptacle with a smooth single-stroke motion. (2) Thread coupling nut by hand until finger-tight. (3) Slide locking sleeve forward until it clicks and locks over the coupling nut. (4) Verify lock by attempting to rotate coupling nut rearward — it should not move when sleeve is engaged. (5) On hybrid EO connectors, verify electrical continuity on power contacts before descent. (6) Log the mating cycle count if operating close to the rated 500-cycle limit.
Storage & Long-Term Maintenance
Store all connectors with protective caps installed in a clean, dry, UV-shaded environment. Flush with fresh water after every seawater exposure. Lubricate O-rings before storage if unit will not be deployed within 30 days. Inspect gold-plated contacts annually — light tarnish is acceptable, pitting or green corrosion requires contact replacement. Return to RV Power Group for factory refurbishment if contact resistance exceeds 0.05 Ω on any circuit. Always document the mating history for programme traceability.
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