Connector system with interchangeable connector modules for optical fibers, electrical conductors, or both

1. An ingress protected connector system comprising:

at least one interchangeable connector insert;

a connector housing having an interior and configured to releasably receive in the interior any of a plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types to selectively configure the ingress protected connector system as a selected type of ingress protected connector, each of the plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types comprising a clip body having an exterior latching feature and an interior portion configured to accept a standard connector plug, each of the plurality of interchangeable connector inserts comprising a different type of standard connector plug, the connector housing comprising a universal latch element configured to latch with the exterior latching feature of the clip body of each of the plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types to releasably retain each of the plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types in the interior of the connector housing;

a coupling nut connected to the connector housing for rotation relative to the connector housing, the coupling nut being configured to mechanically connect the connector housing to a receptacle; and

at least one seal connected to the connector housing and configured to provide a seal of the interior of the connector housing.

2. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the connector housing has an inner wall defining the interior, the inner wall comprising at least one flat portion.

3. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the inner wall has curved portions on opposite sides of each of the at least one flat portion.

4. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the at least one flat portion includes the universal latch element.

5. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the at least one flat portion comprises two opposing flat portions.

6. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 5 , wherein each opposing flat portion includes a latch recess configured to latch with said at least one interchangeable connector insert to retain said at least one interchangeable connector insert in the connector housing, the latch recesses defining the universal latch element.

7. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the at least one flat portion comprises three circumferentially spaced flat portions.

8. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the coupling nut comprises a bayonet coupling nut.

9. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the coupling nut is disposed on the connector housing.

10. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member configured to bias the coupling nut rearward with respect to the connector housing.

11. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a lock ring configured to be selectively engaged with the coupling nut and the connector housing to prevent rotation of the coupling nut relative to the connector housing.

12. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal comprises a first seal configured to be compressed between the connector housing and the receptacle when the coupling nut mechanically connects the connector housing to the receptacle.

13. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal is disposed about an exterior of the connector housing.

14. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one seal comprises first and second seals that are longitudinally spaced apart.

15. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said at least one interchangeable connector insert comprises a hybrid connector insert including at least one optical ferrule and at least one electrical contact.

16. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said at least one interchangeable connector insert comprises said plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types, said plurality of interchangeable inserts of different types including an optical-only connector insert comprising an optical ferrule and a hybrid connector insert comprising an optical ferrule and an electrical contact, the connector housing being configured to alternatively receive in the interior the optical-only connector insert and the hybrid connector insert.

17. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 16 , the optical-only connector insert comprises a first optical-only connector insert comprising an optical fiber ferrule of a first type, the plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types further comprising a second optical-only connector insert comprising an optical fiber ferrule of a second type.

18. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said at least one interchangeable connector insert comprises the clip body.

19. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the clip body comprises an interior opening configured to receive one of an optical connector and an electrical contact therein and an exterior latching feature configured to latch with the connector housing to secure the clip body in the interior.

20. The ingress protected connector system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein clip body has a generally cylindrical exterior including at least one flat.

21. An ingress protected connector system comprising:

at least one interchangeable connector insert;

a connector housing having an interior and configured to releasably receive in the interior a plurality of interchangeable connector inserts of different types to selectively configure the ingress protected connector system as a selected type of ingress protected connector;

a coupling nut connected to the connector housing for rotation relative to the connector housing, the coupling nut being configured to mechanically connect the connector housing to a receptacle; and

at least one seal connected to the connector housing and configured to provide a seal of the interior of the connector housing wherein the at least one seal comprises a first seal configured to be compressed between the connector housing and the receptacle when the coupling nut mechanically connects the connector housing to the receptacle;

wherein the connector housing comprises a front housing component and a rear housing component threadably connected to the front housing component at a threaded interface, wherein the at least one seal further comprises a second seal between the front housing component and the rear housing component sealing the connector housing at the threaded interface.