M12 cable assemblies withstand harsh industrial environments

By Jean-Jacques DeLisle, contributing writer

A new family of M12 cable connectors and configurations are hitting the market from a variety of companies. These new cable modifications are designed to address the ever-growing demands of industries that utilize heavy machinery, such as industrial, public transportation, and rail transportation. M12 cables have been manufactured to be more space-efficient and durable than previous models.

The new M12 cable assemblies are designed to allow for faster high-speed data transfer in even more harsh environments than before, as well as enabling large automation industries to operate more efficiently. As the internet of things (IoT) expands, and more machinery and technology become integrated with the internet, the need for data to be transferred reliably and quickly has increased exponentially.

Here, we look at a few of the advancements that several companies have made to M12 cable assemblies and what their designs bring to the table.

The first on the list is right-angle M12 cable assemblies  from L-com Global Connectivity. These cables are designed for harsh Ethernet connectivity environments and were developed for use in applications in which the integration of straight cables is not feasible.

The right-angle design allows the cables to fit into smaller and more difficult-to-reach spaces while occupying less space. Designed for industrial connectivity requirements, the M12 assemblies are built with high-flex, outdoor CMX-rated, double-shielded, FR-TPE cable, and IP67-rated M12 connectors, enabling the assemblies to withstand harsh environments including exposure to oil, UV rays, and weld splatter.

Two different versions of this series of M12 cable assemblies have been released. Both feature different connector arrangements and components to better suit specific project applications. The TRG507-T4T  series includes a straight M12, four-position, D-coded connector on one side and a right-angle, M12, four-position, D-coded connector on the other end. There is also the TRG508-T4T  series that is comprised of a right-angle, M12, four-position, D-coded connector on one side and a shielded RJ45 connector on the other end. The M12 cable assembles are available from stock.

TE Connectivity Ltd. has also produced a new line of M12 cable assemblies , but they have been designed for trains and other applications in which the aspects of durability and reliability are most paramount. The cables deliver high data speeds up to 10 Gbits/s. The M12 cables and components are part of the company’s line of modular twisted-pair series cables. Conforming to EN45545 HL3 standards  for fire/smoke safety characteristics, the M12 cable assemblies are suited for public transportation and other heavy industrial applications. They are also designed to withstand severe shock and vibrations experienced in trains and other demanding environments, according to EN 61373 Cat1 Class B.

TE Connectivity’s M12 cable assemblies for heavy industrial applications. (Image: TE Connectivity)

A key feature of the M12 rail cable assemblies is a crimped cable strain-relief that reduces the chance of cable breakage that could lead to system failure. The crimp provides a tamper-proof installation that protects from an accidental unlocking of the strain relief. The high-speed Category 5e or 7 cable ensures future-proofing, allowing them to be used in network upgrades.

The M12 cable assemblies are available with compact, straight, and right-angled connectors that allow the cable to be used in tight spaces. They also feature a full-metal shell together with a secure cable shield termination, making the entire system more secure and EN50155-compliant.

The IP67-sealed cables are all 100% tested in TE’s factory. Available lengths range from 1.0 to 20 m in 0.5-m increments. Special lengths are available. The cable assemblies are pre-assembled to reduce installation time.