Today, it is impossible to imagine many areas of automation technology without Industrial Ethernet data transmission. Up to now, M12x1 D-coded connectors have mainly been used for control and regulation units. Many manufacturers are now connecting their sensors, cameras and other components with each other via Industrial Ethernet. Due to the progressive miniaturisation of these devices, it was time to develop a compact connector suitable for this purpose.

For this reason, CONEC has extended its Industrial Ethernet product range to include the M8x1 D-Coding according to IEC Standard 61076-2-114. The pole pattern is based on that of the M12x1 D-Coding and prevents mating with all other M8x1 codings on the market.

With M8x1 D coding, Industrial Ethernet transmission is implemented using a 4-pole M8x1 connector in conjunction with a 360° shielding and a standard Ethernet cable.

Together with the contacts changed to 0.8 mm diameter, the connector enables a transmission rate of up to 100 Mbit/s (Fast Ethernet). The following components were developed to enable continuous field cabling:

Connectors overmoulded

At present, shielded axially overmoulded designs with a TPU cable (4 x AWG 22) for drag chain applications are available in standard lengths. Connecting cables are almost exclusively used for the 100 Mbit male-male connecting cables.

Connectors field-attachable

The field attachable connectors include axial female and male connector variants, optionally with screw connection (female) or crimp connection (female, male).

Sockets for direct circuit board assembly

An extensive delivery program is available for device connections, so that there are many variable mounting options for the user. Both axial and angled two-piece sockets as well as axial one-piece sockets are available. The two-part PCB sockets are shielded from the socket housing to the printed circuit board by a punched sheet metal. Formed contact tongues establish the radial connection to the socket housing, the connection to the PCB is made via snap-in elements with subsequent soldering. The materials used are suitable for wave soldering, the socket housings and the insulators can be processed separately and matched.

In case of axial one-piece PCB sockets, the insulating body and the socket housing are firmly connected to each other. The socket is first mounted from the inside of the device and then the circuit board is put in place and finally soldered.

A special socket version is the version with overmoulded cable and another plug connector on side B, preferably M8x1 D-coded. Ideally, wiring can be done through a wall, e.g. through a switch cabinet.

Benefits:

• Very small connector system with small installation space requirements for the field bus transmission technology (Fast Ethernet)
• Power and data on one data pair
• Variable mounting and connection options on the device side
• Continuous shielding
• Protection class IP67
• Robustness

Fields of application:

• Drive technology
• Automation technology
• Housing and device production
• Industrial interfaces
• Communication technology
• Machine manufacturing
• Control technology