PHOENIX CONTACT VS-15-A (1688036) – Form A valve connector for reliable solenoid wiring

The PHOENIX CONTACT VS-15-A, order no. 1688036, is a DIN EN 175301-803 Form A (formerly DIN 43650 A) valve connector designed for solenoid coils in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. From my experience, this style of connector is the go-to when you need quick service access, solid environmental sealing, and fuss-free wiring on valves, manifolds, and compact machines. You might notice that it typically fits right in on water treatment skids, packaging lines, or any application where a rugged, serviceable plug beats a molded cable.

Order placement process and guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Delivery: 1 week when in stock; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment, full payment before delivery
• Express shipping: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key features

• Form A standard – Fits solenoid valves per DIN EN 175301-803-A, ensuring broad compatibility across many valve brands.
• Quick service access – Screw-terminal design lets technicians re-terminate in minutes without cutting and re-crimping cables.
• Rugged sealing – When tightened with the gasket, the mated set typically achieves IP65 for splash and dust protection.
• Industrial ratings – Suitable in many cases for coil circuits up to 250 V AC/DC and 10 A, common in factory automation.
• Integrated PE (earth) contact – Helps maintain safe grounding practices on metal valve bodies and manifolds.
• Family options – Same series usually offers LED indication or surge suppression variants if you want coil status visibility or transient protection.

Technical specifications

Related or supporting products

• VS-15-A with LED (24 V AC/DC) – Adds a status LED, useful for quick visual checks during commissioning or troubleshooting.
• VS-15-A with surge suppression (varistor or diode) – Damps coil transients; typically recommended when switching DC coils with relay outputs.
• Form B and Form C variants (VS-11-B / VS-08-C families) – For valves using 11 mm or 8 mm interfaces; same wiring concept, different footprint.
• Protective gaskets and screw sets – Replacement seals to maintain IP rating after service events.
• Strain-relief boots / cable glands – For enhanced cable retention in high-vibration installations.

Installation & maintenance

One thing I appreciate is how straightforward these are to fit. In most cases, you’ll mount the connector on the valve coil with the central screw, route the cable through the grommet, and land the conductors on the screw terminals (including PE). For cabinet standards, a ventilated enclosure helps reduce heat buildup, but on-machine mounting is common if splash exposure is controlled.

• Wiring: De-energize the circuit, strip conductors cleanly, and torque terminal screws evenly. Keep the earth lead slightly longer for safety.
• Sealing: Ensure the gasket is seated and the fixing screw is snug to maintain IP65. Replace any flattened or cracked gasket during service.
• Routing: Provide drip loops and strain relief where possible; avoid tight bend radii near the gland.
• Maintenance: Periodically check screw tightness and inspect for oil ingress. If equipped with LED/suppression, verify function after coil or driver changes.
• Firmware: Not applicable (passive component), but review machine I/O switching strategy to minimize coil arcing.

Short field note from a maintenance lead on a bottling line: “We swapped to Form A plugs with screw terminals because our team can re-terminate in under five minutes. The LED versions saved us a lot of meter checks during night shifts.”

Quality & certifications

• Certifications: CE conformity; RoHS-compliant materials. UL recognition is commonly available on this family; specific file details can be provided upon request.
• Manufacturer’s quality: Built for industrial environments, with robust contact metallurgy and sealing components.
• Warranty: 365 days (our commercial warranty terms).