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Cracking the Code: How to Choose the Best M12 Connector for Your Application

The new iPhone packs a pretty punch — better camera, bigger battery, more storage in a selection of pastels – but, uh oh, your old charger is incompatible.  The disappearance of the Lightning port makes all the previously purchased chargers – one in the kitchen, the car, the bedroom, the office – obsolete. And without the right cable, your iPhone becomes an expensive paperweight.

The need for proper cables isn’t limited to our phones, of course. In the ever-evolving world of automation, a multitude of new products emerge daily, each demanding the precise cable for optimal functionality. Even within standard cable sizes, the array of connector types designed for diverse applications can be overwhelming.

Selecting the right cable for your application involves careful consideration of size, length, number of connectors, pinout, and the sometimes-confusing cable codes. Cable codes signify a cable’s unique capabilities and intended uses. Different codes correspond to distinct specifications and electrical features.

There are a wide variety of cable codings used for different purposes. Let’s explore the five most common M12 cable codes and their respective applications:

  • A-coded connectors: The most prevalent connector style, these are the go-to choice for sensors, actuators, motors, and standard devices. A-coded connectors can feature a varying number of pins, ranging from two to twelve.
  • B-coded connectors: Predominantly employed in network cables for fieldbus connections, particularly within Profibus systems. B-coded connectors typically come with three to five pins.
  • C-coded connectors: Less common but valuable, these connectors find their niche with AC sensors and actuators. They offer an additional level of security with a dual keyway, ensuring they are not mistakenly used in place of another cable. C-coded connectors usually sport three to six pins.
  • D-coded connectors: The choice for network cables designed for Ethernet and ProfiNet systems, these connectors can transfer data up to 100 Mb. Typically, they provide three to five pins.
  • X-coded connectors: A more recent innovation in the world of cables, X-coded connectors are gaining popularity for their capacity to transfer large data volumes at high speeds, up to 1 Gb. These are particularly suitable for high-speed data transfer in industrial applications. Unlike other coded cables, X-coded cables consistently feature eight pins.

By understanding the distinctive attributes of each M12 cable code, you can ensure your automation system operates efficiently and effectively.

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M12 Connector Coding

New automation products hit the market every day and each device requires the correct cable to operate. Even in standard cables sizes, there are a variety of connector types that correspond with different applications.

When choosing a cable, it is essential to choose the correct size, length, number of connectors, pinout, and codes for your application. This post will review cable codes, which signify different capabilities and uses for a cable. Cables that are coded differently will have different specifications and electrical features, corresponding to their intended uses. To distinguish between the different styles of cable, each connector has a different keyway, as shown in Figure 1.  This is to prevent a cable from being used in an incorrect application.

Cable Codes-01

There are a wide variety of cable codings used for different purposes. Below are the five most common M12 cable codes and their uses. They are as follows:

  • A-coded connectors are the most common style of connector. These are used for sensors, actuators, motors, and most other standard devices. A-coded connectors can vary in its number of pins, anywhere between two pins and 12 pins.
  • B-coded connectors are mostly used in network cables for fieldbus connections. Most notably, this includes systems that operate with Profibus. B-coded connectors typically have between three and five pins.
  • C-coded connectors are less common than the others. These connectors are primarily used with AC sensors and actuators. They also have a dual keyway for added security, ensuring that this connector will not be accidentally used in the place of another cable. C-coded connectors have between three and six pins.
  • D-coded connectors are typically used in network cables for Ethernet and ProfiNet systems. D-coded connectors transfer data up to 100 Mb. These connectors typically provide three to five pins.
  • X-coded connectors are a more recent advancement of the cables. They are growing in popularity due to their ability to transfer large amounts of data at high speeds. X-coded cables transfer data up to 1 Gb. These are ideal for high-speed data transfer in industrial applications. While the other coded cables typically vary in number of connectors, X-coded cables will always have eight pins.