Predictika · Military circular connector orders

An AI sales agent's connector order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for an HD38999 Series III circular connector: metal or composite shell, style, service class, shell size and insert arrangement, contacts, PCB options and the environment it must survive. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published catalog and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: HD38999 Series III circular connectors (metal and composite shells): style, service class, shell and insert, contacts, PCB options and environment. See everything this validator covers

This validator models orders for HD38999 Series III connectors with the ten styles in the catalog (00, 40, 01, 02, 06, 07, 47, 26, 97 and 96), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Shell, insert and style — the catalog pairs each shell size with one insert arrangement (9-9, 11-19, 13-32, 15-55, 17-73, 19-88, 21-121, 23-151 and 25-187); some styles are not available in composite, style 96 is offered in two aluminum classes only, and the CLUTCH-LOK plug (style 26) comes in service class RK only.
  • PCB and Ethernet options — which pin tails are offered in the double flange styles, the alignment disc, and Gigabit Ethernet contacts, which are offered in the 9-9 insert only.
  • Environment and stated figures — current per contact by wire gauge, wire insulation diameter, temperature range, salt spray hours and shielding by service class, firewall capability, dielectric withstanding voltage and mating cycles, and the contact count and current the quote states against the catalog values.

Any order for these connectors that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (the catalog has none, so this validator produces no price build-up or line-item quote), part-number construction beyond the options above, contact arrangement drawings and cable assemblies.

The AI sales agentBuilds the connector order from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Options that exist only in some styles and shellsOnly with workarounds
Style, shell material, service class and plating form a grid of allowed combinations; in a rules-based CPQ it becomes a long list of per-combination rules that someone keeps in step with the catalog.		The combinations are part of one model, so any style, class and shell is checked with no extra rules.
A shell size that fits only one insert arrangementOnly with care
Each shell and insert pair is a separate condition, and the message has to say which pairs are valid.		The finding lists the valid pairs for whatever shell and insert were chosen.
Environment limits that depend on the service classOnly with workarounds
Salt spray hours, shielding and firewall capability differ by class and by metal or composite shell, so each is another table to maintain and compare with the requirement.		Each limit comes from the selected class and is compared with the requirement on every call.
Stated figures that must match the catalogOnly with care
A stated contact count or current is a free-entry field; a rule can compare it with the catalog value, but someone has to write and maintain that comparison.		The stated figures travel with the order and are compared with the computed figures on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1Styles 97 (reduced flange jam nut receptacle) and 96 (straight plug with integral backshell) are not available in composite.
2Style 96 (straight plug with integral backshell) is available only in aluminum shells with olive drab cadmium (service class RW) or electroless nickel (service class RF) plating.
3The CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug (style 26) is offered in service class RK only.
4Composite shells are offered with electroless nickel, cadmium, Durmalon or zinc-nickel finishes; service classes RL and RK are stainless steel metal shells.
5The selected insert arrangement does not come in this shell size; the HD38999 pairs are 9-9, 11-19, 13-32, 15-55, 17-73, 19-88, 21-121, 23-151 and 25-187.
6Pin contacts with a .100, .150, .250 or .300 inch PCB tail are not available in the wall mount double flange (40) or jam nut double flange (47) styles.
7An alignment disc is ordered together with a PCB contact tail length; no tail length is selected.
8The application needs 5 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 3 A.
9The wire insulation diameter of 0.05 inch is greater than 0.045 inch, which is too large for the contact extraction tool; connector damage is possible.
10The application needs operation down to -70 deg C, but the connector series is rated from -65 deg C.
11The application needs operation up to 200 deg C, but the connector series is rated to +175 deg C.
12The application needs 500 hours of salt spray resistance, but the selected finish is rated for 48 hours.
13The application needs 65 dB shielding effectiveness at 10 GHz, but the selected service class is specified for 50 dB minimum.
14The application needs a shielding effectiveness figure, but none is published for the selected service class.
15The application needs firewall capability, and only service class RK is listed as firewall capable.
16The application needs 1500 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage, but the connector is rated for 1000 VRMS at sea level.
17The application needs 1000 mating cycles, but the connector is rated for 500 full mating and unmating cycles.
18Gigabit Ethernet data transmission is offered in the size 9-9 insert pattern only.
19The quote states 187 contacts, but the selected insert arrangement has 151.
20The quote states a rating of 3 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 2 A.
21The application needs 3 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 1.5 A.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. CLUTCH-LOK plug: A CLUTCH-LOK plug in the wrong class, shell and wire gauge

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 26 (CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug), service class RW, shell size 17 with the 55 insert, socket contacts, 24 AWG wire, for an application that needs firewall capability, 5 A per contact, 500 hours of salt spray, 45 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 55 contacts. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • CLUTCH-LOK needs service class RK. The CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug (style 26) is offered in service class RK only.
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  • Insert arrangement does not fit the shell size. The selected insert arrangement does not come in this shell size; the HD38999 pairs are 9-9, 11-19, 13-32, 15-55, 17-73, 19-88, 21-121, 23-151 and 25-187.
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  • Current above the wire rating. The application needs 5 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 3 A.
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  • Firewall capability needs RK. The application needs firewall capability, and only service class RK is listed as firewall capable.
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2. CLUTCH-LOK plug: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 26 (CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug), service class RK, shell size 17 with the 73 insert, socket contacts, 24 AWG wire, for an application that needs firewall capability, 5 A per contact, 500 hours of salt spray, 45 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 73 contacts. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Current above the wire rating. The application needs 5 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 3 A.
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3. CLUTCH-LOK plug: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 26 (CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug), service class RK, shell size 17 with the 73 insert, socket contacts, 22 AWG wire, for an application that needs firewall capability, 5 A per contact, 500 hours of salt spray, 45 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 73 contacts. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Contacts and current. The selected insert arrangement has 73 contacts, each rated for 5 A at the selected wire gauge.
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4. Firewall receptacle: A composite firewall receptacle in style 97 with stainless service class RK

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III composite connector, style 97 (reduced flange jam nut receptacle), service class RK, shell size 19 with the 88 insert, pin contacts, 22 AWG wire, for an application that needs firewall capability, 5 A per contact, 500 hours of salt spray, 45 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 88 contacts rated for 5 A each. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Style not available in composite. Styles 97 (reduced flange jam nut receptacle) and 96 (straight plug with integral backshell) are not available in composite.
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  • Stainless class on a composite shell. Composite shells are offered with electroless nickel, cadmium, Durmalon or zinc-nickel finishes; service classes RL and RK are stainless steel metal shells.
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5. Firewall receptacle: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 97 (reduced flange jam nut receptacle), service class RK, shell size 19 with the 88 insert, pin contacts, 22 AWG wire, for an application that needs firewall capability, 5 A per contact, 500 hours of salt spray, 45 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 88 contacts rated for 5 A each. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Contacts and current. The selected insert arrangement has 88 contacts, each rated for 5 A at the selected wire gauge.
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6. PCB receptacle: A double flange receptacle with a PCB pin tail and no alignment disc

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 40 (wall mount double flange receptacle), service class RF, shell size 15 with the 55 insert, pin contacts, 24 AWG wire, with a .250 inch PCB tail, for an application that needs 3 A per contact, 48 hours of salt spray, 65 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 55 contacts rated for 3 A each. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • PCB tail not offered in this style. Pin contacts with a .100, .150, .250 or .300 inch PCB tail are not available in the wall mount double flange (40) or jam nut double flange (47) styles.
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7. PCB receptacle: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 40 (wall mount double flange receptacle), service class RF, shell size 15 with the 55 insert, pin contacts, 24 AWG wire, with a .250 inch PCB tail and an alignment disc, for an application that needs 3 A per contact, 48 hours of salt spray, 65 dB shielding, -65 to 175 degrees C, 1000 VRMS dielectric withstanding voltage and 500 mating cycles. The quote states 55 contacts rated for 3 A each. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Contacts and current. The selected insert arrangement has 55 contacts, each rated for 3 A at the selected wire gauge.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for an HD38999 Series III circular connector: metal or composite shell, style, service class, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the published catalog and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote an HD38999 Series III metal connector, style 26 (CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug), service class RW, shell size 17 with the 55 insert. The quote states 55 contacts. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with four findings, all in one answer. The CLUTCH-LOK high vibration straight plug (style 26) is offered in service class RK only. The selected insert arrangement does not come in this shell size; the HD38999 pairs are 9-9, 11-19, 13-32, 15-55, 17-73, 19-88, 21-121, 23-151 and 25-187. The application needs 5 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 3 A. The other one is on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned four blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for a shell size that fits only one insert arrangement, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the service class to RK, the insert arrangement to 73 and the stated contacts to 73.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. Still blocked, with one finding, all in one answer. The application needs 5 A per contact, but the selected wire gauge is rated for 3 A.
    12. 
      
  12. Three findings cleared; still blocked on current above the wire rating.
    13. 
      
  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the wire gauge to 22 AWG.
    15. 
      
  15. It calls the validator once more.
    16. 
      
  16. This time the validator clears it.
    17. 
      
  17. The earlier finding is cleared.
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  18. Four problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer.
    19.