deutsch DT vs DTM vs DTP.

DT, DTM and DTP are one family: thermoplastic housings, silicone wire and interface seals, and a wedgelock that holds the contacts in place. what changes is the contact, and with it the current and the wire gauge. TE describes DT as size 16 contacts at 13 amps, DTM as the line for lower amperage with size 20 contacts at 7.5 amps, and DTP as the line for higher amperage with size 12 contacts at 25 amps[1].

we build DTM today, and we don't build DTP.

updated 2026-09-14 · every figure is cited: 8 sources · priced builds

At a glance

the three series, side by side.

deutsch DTM, DT and DTP compared
DTMDTDTP
contact sizesize 20[5]size 16[6]size 12[7]
current per contact7.5 A at 16 AWG, 7.5 A at 18 AWG, 7.5 A at 20 AWG, 5 A at 22 AWG (all circuits energized)[2]13 A at 14 AWG, 13 A at 16 AWG, 10 A at 18 AWG, 7.5 A at 20 AWG[3]25 A at 10 AWG, 25 A at 12 AWG, 18 A at 14 AWG (all circuits energized)[4]
cavities2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12[2]2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12[3]2, 4[4]
wire insulation, standard seal.053–.12 in (1.35–3.05 mm), DTM04-4P[5].088–.145 in (2.23–3.68 mm), DT04-4P[6].134–.17 in (3.4–4.3 mm), DTP04-4P[7]
voltage250 V DC[2]250 V AC/DC[3]200 V AC/DC[4]
temperature−55 to +125 °C[2]−55 to +125 °C[3]−55 to +125 °C[4]
sealingIP68 and IP6K9K, inline plug and receptacle, with rear protection, such as a backshell[2]IP68 and IP6K9K, inline plug and receptacle, with rear protection, such as a backshell[3]IP68 and IP6K9K, with rear protection, such as a backshell[4]
we build ityes: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 pins at 20 AWGyes: 2, 3, 4, 6 pins at 16 AWGno

current is TE's rating per contact at each wire gauge its specification lists. the insulation range is for the 4-way receptacle's standard seal; other parts and seal options differ, so check the part you use.

The difference

it's the contact size.

DTM's size 20 contact carries 7.5 A on 16 to 20 AWG and 5 A on 22 AWG, with every circuit energized[2]. it's the small one: signals, sensors, and small loads where many circuits share one shell, up to 12 cavities[2].

DT's size 16 contact carries 13 A on 14 or 16 AWG, dropping to 10 A on 18 and 7.5 A on 20[3]. it's the general-purpose size for power feeds and heavier wire, in the same 2 to 12 cavity counts[3].

DTP's size 12 contact carries 25 A on 10 or 12 AWG and 18 A on 14[4], in 2 and 4 cavities only[4].

the seal matters as much as the contact: each series' seal takes a range of wire insulation diameters, and a wire thinner than the range doesn't seal. on the 4-way receptacles that's .053–.12 in for DTM[5], .088–.145 in for DT[6] and .134–.17 in for DTP[7].

all three are rated IP68 and IP6K9K as inline connectors with the rear of the connector protected, for example by a backshell[2][3][4]. TE lists the DT and DTM PCB headers as not tested.

What we build

DTM now, DT next, no DTP.

DTM: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 pins at 20 AWG, with TE's solid nickel size 20 contacts and the wedgelock fitted. it's 20 AWG only because TE's crimp specification says 0.22–0.35 mm² (22–24 AWG) can only be used with gold finish contacts[8], and ours are nickel. every size, with its parts and price, is on the deutsch DTM page, and DTM to ferrules puts a ferrule on each loose lead.

DT: 2, 3, 4, 6 pins at 16 AWG, on the deutsch DT page.

DTP: we don't build it. if you need size 12 contacts, email the shop and say what you're building.

Build one

DTM, built to your length.

the DTM builds we price today. each row opens the configurator with it loaded.

price each, by quantity, shipping free
buildships inqty 1, eachqty 10, eachqty 50, eachconfigure
deutsch DTM 4-pin cable, 12 in (305 mm)12 days$40.00order minimum$26.35$24.97configure
deutsch DTM 4-pin pigtail, 12 in (305 mm) flying leads12 days$40.00order minimum$16.49$15.62configure
deutsch DTM 4-pin pigtail, 12 in (305 mm) leads with ferrules12 days$40.00order minimum$18.89$17.89configure

each · free UPS 2-day shipping · $40 order minimum (a smaller order is charged $40) · lead times are business days. these are example builds, priced the way checkout prices them: change anything in the configurator and it reprices the result the same way.

Questions

short answers.

what's the difference between DT, DTM and DTP?
the contact size. DTM uses size 20 contacts (7.5 A at 16 AWG, 7.5 A at 18 AWG, 7.5 A at 20 AWG, 5 A at 22 AWG), DT size 16 (13 A at 14 AWG, 13 A at 16 AWG, 10 A at 18 AWG, 7.5 A at 20 AWG) and DTP size 12 (25 A at 10 AWG, 25 A at 12 AWG, 18 A at 14 AWG), per TE's product specifications. TE describes DTM and DTP as building on the DT design.
which deutsch connector carries the most current?
DTP: TE rates its size 12 contacts at 25 A on 10 or 12 AWG with all circuits energized. it comes in 2 and 4 cavities only.
are DT, DTM and DTP waterproof?
TE rates the inline connectors IP68 and IP6K9K with rear protection, such as a backshell. that's the connector's rating, with the right wire in its seal range, not a rating for a whole harness.
which DTM do you build?
DTM04 receptacles and DTM06 plugs in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12 pins, at 20 AWG with TE's solid nickel size 20 contacts and the wedgelock fitted. TE's crimp specification allows 22–24 AWG only with gold contacts.
do you build DT?
yes, 2, 3, 4, 6 pins at 16 AWG.
do you build DTP?
no. we don't stock DTP housings or size 12 contacts.

Sources

where every figure comes from.

ratings are the manufacturer's, under the conditions each document states; check the current revision before you design to a number. what we build (gauges, sizes, lead times, prices) comes from our own catalog.

  1. DEUTSCH DT Family catalog: DT, DTM and DTP series overview · TE Connectivity
  2. 108-151010 Rev F, DTM Series Connector System (product specification), §3.2 ratings · TE Connectivity
  3. 108-151009 Rev E, DEUTSCH DT Series Connector System (product specification), §3.2 ratings · TE Connectivity
  4. 108-151012 Rev C, DTP Series Connector System (product specification), §3.2 ratings · TE Connectivity
  5. DTM04-4P product page: contact size, insulation diameter range · TE Connectivity
  6. DT04-4P product page: contact size, insulation diameter range · TE Connectivity
  7. DTP04-4P product page: contact size, insulation diameter range · TE Connectivity
  8. 114-151004 Rev E1, DEUTSCH Size 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 Solid Contacts (application specification), note L · TE Connectivity

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