D Sub Connector Kits - Connector & Hood Combined
Sub D kits bundle a D Sub connector body and a matching screw-together hood as a pre-matched pair, everything needed to assemble a complete, shielded D-subminiature cable end in a single purchase. We stock 28 kit configurations covering metal (zinc alloy) and Metplas (metallised plastic) hoods, standard-density and high-density (HD) connector bodies, male and female genders, and 45° and straight (180°) cable exit angles, across pin sizes from 9-way to 78-way. All kits include the connector body, screw-together hood halves, and fixing hardware. Free UK delivery on orders over £200.
What’s Included in a Sub D Kit?
Each Sub D kit in our range includes the following components supplied together as a matched set:
Connector body: the D Sub plug or socket (male or female) with solder cup contacts for wire termination. Standard-density kits include DE-9, DA-15, DB-25, DC-37, or DD-50 sized bodies. High-density (HD) kits include the corresponding HD shell in 15, 26, 44, 62, or 78-way configurations.
Screw-together hood: the two-piece protective backshell that fits over the rear of the connector once wired. Available in metal (nickel-plated zinc alloy, maximum EMI shielding) or Metplas (metallised thermoplastic, effective shielding at lower cost and weight). Supplied with 45° or straight cable exit depending on the kit variant.
Fixing hardware: the screws and nuts required to assemble the hood halves around the connector body and cable.
Not included: Screwlocks (the threaded jackscrews that lock mated connectors together) and dust caps are available separately in our Sub D Accessories range. Cable is not supplied.
Choosing the Right Sub D Kit: Four Selection Variables
Each kit in our range is defined by four characteristics. Work through these in order to identify the correct product:
Standard Density vs High Density (HD)
Standard-density kits use the original 2.77mm contact pitch in DE-9, DA-15, DB-25, DC-37, and DD-50 shell sizes. High-density (HD) kits use 2.29mm pitch to fit 15, 26, 44, 62, or 78 contacts into the same shell. The shell dimensions look identical from the outside. If you are replacing an existing connector, check whether it is standard or high density before ordering; they use different connector bodies and hoods, while the same shape is matched to different connector thicknesses.
Metal vs Metplas Hood
Metal hoods (nickel-plated zinc alloy) provide maximum EMI/RFI shielding and mechanical robustness, specified for industrial automation panels, broadcast infrastructure, medical instruments, and any application requiring full EMI continuity across the cable assembly. Metplas hoods (copper-over-nickel-coated ABS thermoplastic) provide comparable shielding performance at lower cost and weight, the right choice for most commercial and industrial applications where a full-metal shell is not mandatory. If the application specifies shielded connectors with metal hoods explicitly, choose the metal kit. For general-purpose shielded wiring, Metplas is the more cost-effective option.
Male (Plug) or Female (Socket)
The connector gender must be opposite to whatever it is mating with. Standard practice in D Sub cable assemblies: panel-mount connectors on equipment are typically female (socket); cable-end connectors are typically male (plug). If both ends of your cable will be free-hanging, the convention is male at one end and female at the other. Both are available across all kit variants.
45° or Straight (180°) Cable Exit
The 45° exit angle routes the cable diagonally away from the connector body, reducing the overall assembly depth behind a panel and providing natural cable strain relief in space-constrained installations. Straight (180°, top entry) exits route the cable directly away from the connector face, the standard choice for bench-top and free-hanging cable assemblies where rear access is unrestricted. For the majority of panel-mount applications, 45° is the most practical choice. For cable assemblies that need to be coiled, straight exit is often preferred.
Where D Sub Connector Kits Are Used
Sub D connector kits are the standard approach for field-wired D Sub cable assemblies in professional and industrial environments. By supplying the connector body and matched hood together, they eliminate the risk of ordering a mismatched combination and reduce procurement steps when building new cable assemblies or replacing damaged connectors. Common applications include:
Industrial control panels: PLC I/O wiring, servo drive interface cables, HMI connections using DB-9 and DB-25 format connectors
Broadcast and professional AV: signal routing, video distribution, audio mixing infrastructure where shielded D Sub cables are specified
Test and measurement: instrument front panel cables, data acquisition wiring, signal generator connections
Medical and laboratory equipment: instrument-to-instrument cabling in regulated environments requiring shielded assemblies
Legacy system maintenance: RS-232 serial, parallel printer, and SCSI cables on industrial equipment still in active service
Comprehensive Sub D Kits for Your Projects
Looking for reliable Sub D kits for your electronic projects? Component Buddy offers a variety of high-quality Sub D kits designed to meet diverse requirements. These kits are perfect for both professional and DIY applications, providing all the necessary components for a secure and efficient connection.
With 28 kit variants across four selection variables, the fastest way to confirm the right product is a quick call. Tell us your required pin count, standard or high-density, metal or Metplas, male or female, and preferred cable exit angle — and we’ll confirm the correct kit before you order. If you need a configuration not currently listed, we can often source it through our MBS Group supply network. Call 01536 263411 or email buddy@componentbuddy.com. Response time: 45 minutes during business hours. Free UK delivery on orders over £200.
