What This Backshell Does in a D-Sub Assembly
The TE Connectivity AMPLIMITE 5745172-2 is a two-piece backshell designed to terminate the cable end of a D-sub connector assembly. It fits standard 15-position D-sub connectors and is also compatible with high-density 26-position shells sharing the same shell size A footprint. The 180° cable exit routes the cable straight out the back, keeping the assembly profile low for panel-mount or inline harness runs. The zinc alloy shell is plated nickel over copper, giving it a silver appearance and providing a continuous conductive path for EMI/RFI shielding. The included 4-40 mating screws secure the backshell to the D-sub connector, and the assembly hardware and strain relief clamp keep the cable from pulling on the solder or crimp terminations inside.
Shielding and Grounding — Why the Plating Matters
The nickel-over-copper plating on this backshell does more than resist corrosion. It creates a low-impedance bond between the cable braid and the D-sub connector shell, which is the path shield currents take before they reach the signal pins. In a noisy industrial or data-comms cabinet, that bond is what keeps common-mode noise off the line. The shielded shell, combined with the 180° cable exit, lets you dress the cable shield directly to the backshell clamp without a separate grounding lug.
Fit Check — Which D-Sub Connectors It Works With
This backshell is keyed to shell size A, which covers standard 15-position D-sub connectors (DE-15) and high-density 26-position D-subs (DA-26HD). The 4-40 threaded mating screws are the standard UNC thread for D-sub hardware — they engage the threaded inserts on the D-sub connector's male or female shell. The two-piece clamshell design wraps around the cable and the D-sub backpot, so you need access to both sides of the connector during assembly.