UPC 12mm Connector Expansion Delivers Powerful, Compact High-Voltage Performance

Compact 12mm solution advancing the UPC high-current platform

The UPC 12mm connector is the newest addition to Amphenol Industrial Operations’ growing UPC product family, delivering compact, high-current performance for demanding high-voltage applications. Engineered for HEV, EV, fuel cell, and hybrid heavy-equipment platforms, this 2-pole, metal-shell solution expands the capabilities of the existing UPC series and provides OEMs with another robust option for safe, reliable power distribution.

Built on the same proven architecture as the broader UPC line, the 12mm variant introduces a smaller flange plate, enhanced EMI shielding, HVIL functionality, and a design optimized for 95mm² cable. With high current ratings, secure locking features, and environmental sealing to IP6K9K (when mated), this latest release strengthens the UPC portfolio as a comprehensive solution for modern electrified systems.

Expanding the Proven UPC Platform

The UPC series has already established itself as a trusted high-voltage connection system for hybrid and fully electric architectures. The introduction of the UPC 12mm connector builds on this foundation, giving engineers a compact option without sacrificing electrical or mechanical performance.

This expansion enables broader design flexibility across multiple vehicle platforms, allowing OEMs to scale their power distribution systems while staying within the same connector family. This consistency simplifies qualification efforts, reduces development time, and supports increasingly space-constrained vehicle layouts.

Compact Metal-Shell Design for High-Density Power Systems

The metal shell construction of the UPC 12mm connector delivers durability, superior shielding performance, and thermal stability. Its smaller flange plate is optimized for 95mm² cable, helping engineers fit the connector into tight packaging spaces common in modern EV platforms, battery modules, and power conversion systems.

The connector maintains stable performance across a wide operating temperature range of –40°C to 140°C, making it suitable for under-hood environments, high-vibration heavy equipment, and thermally demanding vehicle frames.

High-Voltage Safety: EMI Shielding and HVIL Capability

To support the evolving safety requirements of electrified vehicles, the UPC 12mm connector incorporates both EMI shielding and a Hazardous Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL). These features help protect signal integrity, reduce electromagnetic disturbance, and prevent unintended energization during service or disconnect events.

The design also incorporates a secondary locking mechanism to ensure stable mating under vibration and vehicle movement, providing long-term reliability across a wide range of transportation and industrial applications.

Engineered for Electrified Mobility Markets

The UPC 12mm connector aligns with current and future market needs in hybrid and electric mobility. OEMs already using the UPC platform can easily integrate the 12mm model into existing architectures, while new customers gain access to a compact, high-voltage solution that meets industry safety expectations.

Applications include:

• HEV/EV passenger vehicles
• HEV/EV commercial trucks and buses
• Fuel cell electric vehicles
• Hybrid heavy equipment

This market expansion is supported by active adoption from major EV manufacturers, with interest growing across both on-road and off-road sectors.

High Current Capacity for High-Demand Systems

The UPC 12mm connector supports current ratings up to approximately 350 amps (application dependent), enabling integration into traction motors, battery distribution units, inverters, and auxiliary high-voltage subsystems. Its crimp-contact design ensures stable conductivity and low resistance over repeated connection cycles.

Touch-proof protection compliant with IEC 60529 and an IP6K9K rating when mated further enhance safety, especially in wet, dirty, or high-pressure washdown environments.

A Versatile Addition to the UPC Product Line

This expansion strengthens Amphenol Industrial Operations’ position in the electrification market by offering a complete range of high-voltage connector sizes within a single product family. The UPC 12mm connector complements existing UPC solutions, enabling engineers to mix and match sizes based on current demand, packaging limits, and system architecture—without changing validation workflows or core design requirements.

For programs requiring scalable electrification pathways, this expansion provides a future-proof, flexible roadmap for connector selection, platform reuse, and long-term system reliability.

Learn More About the UPC Product Family

To explore additional configurations, technical documentation, and related high-voltage solutions, visit our UPC product page. The full series includes multiple sizes, current ratings, and feature sets designed to address a wide spectrum of HEV/EV engineering needs.