Since its introduction in 1985, the M12 has become the preferred interconnection method in industrial automation. In the subsequent use, the M12 connecting cable was also born. Such products can achieve reliable connections in the harshest environments, revolutionizing connection technology in industrial automation.
The M12 cable has a circular connector with a 12 mm locking thread and an IP rating against the ingress of liquids and solids. M12 cables are ideal for sensors, industrial ethernet, and Fieldbus devices and are mainly used in industrial automation and corrosive environments.
Before M12 connectors and cables were developed, engineers could only replace accessories repeatedly due to harsh usage conditions. The M12 cables initially released were 3-pin and 4-pin, and although not as good as its predecessor, the RK30, in terms of maximum current allowed to flow, the M12 offers IP67 protection. The 4-pin M12 cable includes more advanced sensors and actuators in a single system. Today, these rugged cables are available in 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, and 12-pin configurations, and new locking methods such as snap-on and push-pull are constantly being developed. Wires are also divided into high-flexibility wires and ordinary PVC wires.
In addition to factory automation, M12 cable assemblies can be used in measurement and control, communications, transportation, robotics, agriculture, and alternative energy. The correct choice of PIN depends on the specific application needs - 3-pin and 4-pin models are used for sensor and power applications; 4-pin and 8-pin models are used for Ethernet and PROFINET; DeviceNet and CANbus generally use 4-pin and 5-pin; 12-pin models are commonly used in a variety of signaling applications.
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