Choosing an Anderson Battery Cable Assembly

Anderson SB connectors offer practical advantages for detachable battery and DC power connections.

A genderless design simplifies matching. Compatible connectors within the same SB family and housing key mate with each other, eliminating the need to source separate male and female housings.

Color-coded mechanical keying helps separate circuits. Housing keys help prevent incompatible connections. Color is part of the connector selection, so match the family and keying to your equipment rather than choosing by appearance alone.

Spring-retained contacts maintain contact force. Anderson’s SB design uses springs to retain the contacts and support a low-resistance electrical interface. These features make the series useful for equipment that needs a detachable power connection. Anderson SB connector features

This reference illustration shows the SB120 / 4 AWG assembly with 1 ft leads and 3/8-inch ring terminals. Other connector families, gauges, lengths and terminations differ. It is an illustration, not a production photograph or controlled mounting drawing.

A preassembled cable reduces the sourcing and preparation needed to build your power connection. Instead of purchasing a housing, contacts, cable, and terminals separately, you specify the assembly your equipment requires.

A detachable connector can also make equipment service more convenient: once the system is safely de-energized, a compatible connection can be separated without removing the bolted terminals at the other end.

Custom lengths help accommodate the actual cable route. Suitable terminations connect that route to your battery, power distribution hardware, or equipment terminals.

R1’s battery cable assemblies are built in the United States using U.S.-made Anderson connectors.

For customers who value domestic manufacturing, this supports U.S. connector production and assembly work. Working directly with R1 also gives you a point of contact to discuss connector compatibility, routing, and termination requirements before ordering.

R1 supports configuration inquiries across four Anderson SB families:

Start with the connector already installed on your equipment. Different SB families are not interchangeable, and matching the family alone is insufficient if the housing keys differ.

For a new system, select the connector, contacts, and cable together. The model name alone does not establish the finished assembly’s current rating; electrical capability depends on the specific components and installation.

Cable gauge should suit the electrical load and installation. Relevant factors include operating current, circuit length, allowable voltage drop, temperature, and routing conditions. The connector contact must also accommodate the selected conductor.

For lead length, measure the intended route rather than the straight-line distance between connection points. Account for bends, mounting locations, movement, and access for service.

Specify each lead clearly. For example, “2 ft red lead and 2 ft black lead” avoids ambiguity about whether a requested length applies to each conductor or the combined pair. If your installation needs unequal leads, include both lengths in the inquiry.

The equipment-side termination matters just as much as the connector.

For ring terminals, provide the stud size and any clearance constraints around the connection. For another termination style, identify the mating hardware or supply a drawing, part number, or photograph with your inquiry.

Also state whether you need one connector-ended assembly or assemblies for both sides of a detachable connection. This helps establish the complete scope before the configuration is confirmed.

To help R1 review your requirements, provide:

• Connector family: SB50, SB120, SB175, or SB350.
• Housing color or mating connector part number.
• Cable gauge, if already specified.
• Length of each lead.
• Termination style and dimensions.
• Quantity and intended application.
• Operating voltage and current requirements.

If a detail is unresolved, describe the equipment and connection you are trying to make.

Visit the R1 Anderson battery cable catalog for current selectable configurations, availability, and ordering information.

For custom lengths, terminations, or a configuration outside the listed options, contact R1 Systems. Custom requests are reviewed before configuration, pricing, and lead time are confirmed.