IP68 Screw-Terminal Waterproof Connectors (M682–M685)
Screw waterproof connectors for outdoor lighting and industrial power, rated IP68, 17.5A to 32A, 2 to 6 pins, 450VAC (IEC), -40°C to +105°C, ENEC, CE, UKCA, ETL, NSW, and CB certified.
What Is a Screw Waterproof Connector?
A screw waterproof connector is a power connector that pairs a screw terminal with a sealed IP68 housing. You strip the cable, insert the conductor into the terminal, tighten the terminal screw with a standard screwdriver, and close the housing. The sealing ring keeps water and dust out of the connection point.
The design has been around for decades because it earns its place on a job site. The screw holds the conductor mechanically, so the connection stays tight under vibration and thermal cycling. The housing can be opened later for inspection or re-wiring, which matters on outdoor systems that get serviced for years.
When do you need one?
- Outdoor lighting and streetlights, where the connection sits inside or next to the luminaire
- Pumps, fountains, and irrigation controls in wet areas
- Distribution boxes and power feeds exposed to rain or washdown
- Industrial equipment in humid, dusty, or corrosive environments
Applications
Engineered for harsh outdoor environments, providing resilient IP68 ingress protection and mission-critical durability across diverse installation scenarios.
Street & Roadway Lighting
Street and roadway lighting systems require reliable electrical connections exposed to rain, dust, temperature changes, and long-term outdoor conditions. The IP68-rated housing helps protect the connection against dust and water ingress under the specified test conditions of 2 m immersion for 120 hours. Its −40°C to +105°C operating range supports installations across cold and high-temperature environments, while the flame-retardant enclosure provides additional protection inside luminaires.
Landscape & Architectural Lighting
Garden lights, bollard lights, and wall washers often run through buried cable. A screw waterproof connector gives you a serviceable point in the run, so a failed fixture can be disconnected and replaced without digging up the whole cable.
Pumps, Fountains & Irrigation
These applications sit close to water and run for long hours. A sealed connection with a mechanically gripped conductor reduces the risk that a loose or corroded joint turns into an unplanned shutdown.
Outdoor Distribution & Control Boxes
When power feeds enter a box from outside, both the cable entry and the connection need protection. Screw-type connectors give installers a connection they can verify by feel, then seal and forget.
How to Select the Right Screw Waterproof Connector
The fastest way to choose is to match three critical numbers: load current, conductor section, and cable outer diameter (OD). Current tells you which series to use, conductor section tells you whether the terminal will accept the wire, and cable OD tells you whether the seal will close properly. The matrix below serves as an engineering starting point; confirm the final choice against the official specification table for each model.
01. Current
Determines series capacity
02. Conductor
Guarantees terminal fit
03. Cable OD
Ensures IP68 seal integrity
| Application | Recommended Series | Selection Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Small LED fixtures, sensors, low-power landscape lights | M682 / M683 (17.5A) | Compact bodies fit tight luminaires; accepts 0.5–1.5mm² conductors and cable OD 3–12mm . |
| Luminaire feeds, pumps, general outdoor power | M684 (24A) | 2 to 6 pins gives wiring flexibility; M684-T and M684-X can be ordered with screwless terminals. |
| High-current feeds, multi-branch distribution | M685 (32A) | Highest current in the family; splitter versions turn one feed into 2 to 4 branches . |
| Cable-to-board connections inside luminaires | M684CB / M685-B | Board-side termination designed specifically for driver and internal module wiring. |
M682 & M683 Series: 17.5A Screw Waterproof Connectors
M682 and M683 are the compact members of the family. They are built for 2- or 3-pin connections at 17.5A and 450VAC (IEC), with male and female versions for every model. M682 suits smaller cables (3-6.5mm and 5-9mm OD); M683 covers a wider range, with M683-A handling 5-10mm and M683-B accepting 4-8mm and 7-12mm. If your harness is thin and the space inside the luminaire is tight, this is the series to start with.
Rated Current
17.5A
Rated Voltage
450VAC (IEC)
Protection Level
IP68
Poles
2 – 3 Pin
| Model | Poles | Current | Voltage | Conductor | Cable OD | Temp Range | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M682-A / M682-B / M682-C | 2-3 Pin | 17.5A | 450VAC (IEC) | 0.5-1.5mm² (18AWG) | 3-6.5mm, 5-9mm | -40°C to +105°C | IP68 |
| M683-A / M683-B | 2-3 Pin | 17.5A | 450VAC (IEC) | 0.5-1.5mm² (18AWG) |
M683-A: 5-10mm; M683-B: 4-8mm, 7-12mm |
-40°C to +105°C | IP68 |
M684 Series: 24A Screw Waterproof Connectors
M684 is the middle of the range and the most flexible. Models run from 2 to 6 pins at 24A and 450VAC (IEC), with an ETL rating of 10A at 300VAC for the North American market. Conductor range is 0.5–2.5mm² (14–18AWG), and cable OD is 4–8mm or 7–12mm, depending on the model.
Terminal Option: Two models in this series, M684-T and M684-X, can be supplied with screwless terminals in the same housing. Order them with screw terminals when you want a standard, reworkable connection; choose the screwless version when installation speed is the priority. The connector housing and core electrical specifications remain the same.
Rated Current
24A
Voltage (IEC / ETL)
450V / 300V
Protection Class
IP68
Temperature Range
−40°C to +105°C
Technical Specifications
| Model | Poles | Current | Voltage | Conductor | Cable OD | Temp Range | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M684-A, B, C, D, E, F, F1, F2, H, L, S, Y | 2–6 Pin (by model) | 24A |
450VAC (IEC) 10A / 300VAC (ETL) |
0.5–2.5mm² 14–18AWG |
4–8mm 7–12mm |
−40°C to +105°C | IP68 |
| M684-T, M684-X | 2–4 Pin (by model) | 24A |
450VAC (IEC) 10A / 300VAC (ETL) |
0.5–2.5mm² 14–18AWG |
4–8mm 7–12mm |
−40°C to +105°C |
IP68
Screw or screwless terminal
|
M685 Series: 32A Screw Waterproof Connectors
The M685 is the heavy-duty member of our connector family, rated at 32A at 450VAC (IEC) and 18A at 300VAC (ETL). The series supports 2 to 5 poles, conductor sizes from 0.5–2.5 mm², and cable diameters from 4 mm to 14 mm depending on the model. It is designed for higher-current outdoor wiring where one feed may supply multiple luminaires or longer cable runs.
M685 also includes splitter configurations. Available 1-in-2-out, 2-in-2-out, and 1-in-3/4-out versions distribute one incoming power feed to multiple outgoing branches inside a sealed connector, reducing the need for a separate junction box at straightforward distribution points.
32A High Current
IP68 Protection
2–5 Contact Poles
Integrated Splitter Options
| Model | Poles | Current | Voltage | Conductor | Cable OD | Temperature | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
M685-AL, AS, U, T, TL, TS, X, Y, E |
2–5 Pin | 32A |
450VAC
IEC Rating
18A / 300VAC
ETL Rating
|
0.5–2.5 mm² 20–14 AWG |
4–8 mm 8–12 mm 10–14 mm |
−40°C to +105°C | IP68 |
|
M685 Splitters
1-in-2-out, 2-in-2-out, 1-in-3/4-out |
2–5 Pin | 32A |
450VAC
IEC Rating
18A / 300VAC
ETL Rating
|
0.5–2.5 mm² 20–14 AWG |
4–8 mm 8–12 mm 10–14 mm |
−40°C to +105°C | IP68 |
Get the Right Screw Waterproof Connector for Your Project
PVLinkTech provides product samples so you can evaluate quality, fit, and performance before placing an order.
Free Sample Request
Tell us about your project and our team will help you select the right waterproof connector sample.
24H Express Dispatch
7-Day Global Delivery
Full Model Range
The complete model list for the M682–M685 screw waterproof connector family. Pole counts and cable ranges vary by model, so confirm the exact configuration with our team before ordering. Dimension drawings for any model are available on request.
| Series | Models | Type | Poles | Current | Cable OD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M682 | M682-A, M682-B, M682-C | Standard, male/female | 2-3 Pin | 17.5A | 3–6.5mm, 5–9mm |
| M683 | M683-A, M683-B | Standard, male/female | 2-3 Pin | 17.5A | 5–10mm; 4–8mm, 7–12mm |
| M684 | M684-A, B, C, D, E, F, F1, F2, H, L, S, T, X, Y | Standard; T/X also screwless | 2-6 Pin | 24A | 4–8mm, 7–12mm |
| M685 | M685-AL, AS, U, T, TL, TS, X, Y, E | Standard, male/female | 2-5 Pin | 32A | 4–8mm, 8–12mm, 10–14mm |
| M685 | Splitters: 1-in-2-out, 2-in-2-out, 1-in-3-out, 1-in-4-out | Branch distribution | 2-5 Pin | 32A | 4–8mm, 8–12mm, 10–14mm |
| M684CB / M685-B | M684CB-2, M684CB-3, M685-B | Cable to board | 2-5 Pin | 24A / 32A | 4–8mm, 7–12mm |
Screw-Type vs. Screw-Free Waterproof Connectors
We make both screw-type and screw-free waterproof connectors, and the choice depends on how the connection will be used. Screw terminals are the safe default for most permanent outdoor wiring: they grip the conductor mechanically, tolerate vibration, and can be re-opened for service. Screw-free (tool-free) connectors install faster and make sense when wiring is done in volume or the connection will be re-made often. Our screw-free vs. screw-type waterproof connector guide walks through the full comparison, including where each type has caused problems in the field.
Screw-Type Terminals
Safe default for permanent outdoor wiring. Provides strong mechanical grip, superior vibration tolerance, and can be easily re-opened for maintenance.
Screw-Free (Tool-Free)
Engineered for rapid, volume-based deployment and scenarios where connections are frequently re-made, drastically lowering installer labor costs.
A quick rule of thumb:
If the installer will torque the connection by hand and wants to verify it, choose screw-type. If installation speed and labor cost dominate the project, look at the screw-free range. Both families share the same
IP68 housing philosophy
,
so the protection level is not the deciding factor.
Both options verified to IP68 standards
Installation Notes for Screw-Terminal Waterproof Connectors
Screw-terminal connectors are straightforward to install, but reliable sealing depends on using the correct cable size. Match the cable outer diameter (OD) to the specified range for the connector. If the cable is too small, the sealing ring may not compress correctly; if it is too large, the housing may not close completely. This is one of the most common installation issues.
-
Conductor preparation: Strip the conductor to the recommended terminal length and make sure no loose strands remain before inserting and tightening the conductor.
-
Terminal fastening: Tighten the terminal screw securely and perform a light pull test to confirm that the conductor is properly retained.
-
Housing & sealing: Check that the sealing ring is seated correctly, then close and tighten the housing completely. An improperly assembled seal can compromise the connector's ingress protection.
-
Series matching: Use mating male and female components from the same connector series. Mixing different series or unverified third-party components may affect mechanical fit, sealing performance, and electrical reliability.
-
Electrical load & thermal derating: Keep the operating current within the connector's rated limits. For elevated ambient temperatures, long cable runs, or continuous high-load applications, consider conductor size, temperature rise, and the applicable derating requirements when selecting the connector.
What to Check Before You Order
Operating Current & Voltage
IEC vs ETL
Identify your destination market specifications: the IEC rating (17.5A, 24A, or 32A at 450VAC) and the ETL rating (10A or 18A at 300VAC on M684 and M685) operate under distinct testing criteria.
Conductor Section
Wire Gauge
Verify matching core sizing: 0.5–1.5mm² (18AWG) for M682 & M683; 0.5–2.5mm² (14–18AWG) for M684; and 0.5–2.5mm² (12–14AWG) for M685.
Cable Outer Diameter (OD)
Sealing Fit
Measure against your model sealing range, configured from 3–6.5mm up to 10–14mm to ensure proper IP rating compression.
Pin Count & Gender
M/F Setup
Confirm the required number of poles, pin arrangements, and correct male/female plug-and-socket configurations.
Terminal Connection Type
Assembly
Screw termination is supplied as standard; M684-T and M684-X can be ordered screwless for accelerated field wiring.
Form Factor & Topology
Layout
Specify whether you require a multi-port splitter (T/Y distribution) or a dedicated cable-to-board version tailored to your junction layout.
Certifications & Quality
Every model in the M682–M685 family is built in our own factory and engineered for extreme thermal reliability and safety. Full traceability, standardized certifications, and carefully controlled materials support reliable performance in demanding electrical applications.
IP68
Ingress Protection
Tested to 2m immersion for 120 hours
99%
First-Pass Yield
Rigorous outgoing inspection target
100%
In-House Manufacturing
Full end-to-end production control
ISO/IATF
3 Quality Systems
ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485
International Certifications & Fire Safety
Carries international safety approvals listed in our product documentation. The housing is molded from certified fire-resistant, flame-retardant material—an important consideration inside luminaires and other electrical enclosures where thermal buildup may occur.
ENEC
CE
UKCA
ETL
NSW
CB Scheme
RoHS Compliant
IP68 Immersion & Controlled Quality Systems
All four series are rated IP68 and tested to 2-meter continuous immersion for 120 hours. Manufacturing is managed under established quality frameworks with a 99% first-pass yield target for final outgoing inspection.
IP68 (2m / 120h)
ISO 9001
IATF 16949
ISO 13485
FAQ
What is a screw waterproof connector?
It is a power connector with a screw terminal inside a sealed IP68 housing. Strip the cable, insert the conductor, tighten the screw, and close the housing. The screw holds the conductor, while the seal keeps water out.
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
IP67 covers temporary immersion up to 1 m. IP68 covers continuous immersion under conditions agreed with the manufacturer; our connectors are tested to 2 m for 120 hours. Our IP67 vs IP68 guide explains the ratings in detail.
Can I order M684-T or M684-X without screw terminals?
Yes. Both models are available with screw or screwless terminals in the same housing. Specify the terminal type when you request a quote.
What cable sizes do these connectors accept?
M682 and M683 accept 0.5–1.5 mm² (18AWG) conductors. M684 accepts 0.5–2.5 mm² (14–18AWG); M685 accepts 0.5–2.5 mm² (12–14AWG). Cable OD ranges from 3 mm to 14 mm depending on the model.
What are the current and voltage ratings?
17.5A, 24A, or 32A at 450VAC (IEC), with ETL ratings of 10A or 18A at 300VAC for North America. Confirm which rating your target market requires.
Do you provide dimension drawings and samples?
Dimension drawings are available on request. Samples can be sent for testing before you commit to a volume order. Request both through our quote page or contact page.