Shielded Cable
19 Products| Product Name | Poles | Coding | Gender | Direction | IP | LED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | A | Male | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 4 | A | Male | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 5 | A | Male | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 3 | A | Male | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 4 | A | Male | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 5 | A | Male | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 3 | A | Female | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 4 | A | Female | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 5 | A | Female | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 3 | A | Female | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 4 | A | Female | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 5 | A | Female | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 8 | A | Male | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 8 | A | Female | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 8 | A | Female | 90° | IP67 | No | |
| 12 | A | Male | Straight | IP67 | No | |
| 12 | A | Male | 90° | IP65-IP67 | No | |
| 12 | A | Female | Straight | IP65-IP67 | No | |
| 12 | A | Female | 90° | IP65-IP67 | No |
Technical Guide: Shielded Cable
Selection criteria and engineering considerations for your application.
Application & Compatibility
M12 shielded cable connectors are used where reliable signal and power transmission is required in electrically noisy industrial environments. This category is built around A-coded M12 interfaces with integrated cable shielding, supporting common sensor/actuator and control wiring layouts in machinery, process lines, and mobile equipment. For engineers standardizing field connectivity, these connectors provide a robust threaded interface defined by IEC 61076-2-101.
Product Range
In mixed installations that also use smaller M8 interfaces, IEC 61076-2-104 is the relevant companion standard for dimensional and interoperability reference. The available pole counts in this range (3, 4, 5, 8, and 12) cover typical automation I/O needs. Lower pole counts are commonly selected for discrete sensors, simple actuators, and DC supply plus signal combinations.
Configuration Options
Higher pole options such as 8 and 12 poles are useful when multiple control signals must be combined in one connector footprint, helping reduce cable runs and panel entries. Male and female versions allow direct mating to device ports, extension cables, and harness transitions without custom adapters. Shielding is the key differentiator for this category.
Selection Criteria
A shielded cable and properly terminated connector body help control EMC issues caused by variable frequency drives, motor cables, switching power supplies, and high-current conductors running nearby. This is important for maintaining stable analog signals, reducing communication errors, and improving repeatability in high-noise zones. In practice, shielding performance depends on end-to-end design, including 360-degree shield termination, grounding concept, and routing separation from power conductors.
Environmental Protection
Configuration options include straight and 90° cable exits, which affect installation envelope and bend stress. Straight connectors are often preferred for inline runs with available clearance, while right-angle versions support compact device spacing and reduced cable protrusion. When specifying, engineers typically verify coding (A-coded), pole count, gender, cable construction, and environmental sealing level.
Installation Notes
Most industrial M12 assemblies are selected for IP67-class sealing at minimum, with some designs offering higher ingress protection depending on connector construction and whether the connection is mated. Matching protection rating to washdown, coolant exposure, and outdoor conditions is essential for long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between M12 A-coded and other M12 coding types for industrial connectors? + −
A-coded M12 connectors are the standard choice for many sensor, actuator, and general-purpose control signals. Other coding types (such as B, D, or X) are mechanically keyed differently to prevent mismating and are typically assigned to specific protocols or applications, including fieldbus or industrial Ethernet variants. If your device port is A-coded, use only A-coded mating connectors. Always verify coding on both the device and cable assembly to avoid mechanical incompatibility and wiring errors.
When do I need a shielded M12 cable connector in automation systems? + −
Use shielded M12 cable connectors when cables run near EMI sources such as VFDs, servo drives, motor feeders, contactors, or switching power supplies. Shielding is especially important for low-level analog signals, high-speed data, and long cable runs where induced noise can cause drift, packet errors, or intermittent faults. For best EMC performance, implement proper shield termination and grounding strategy across the full link, not just at one connector, and maintain routing separation from high-current conductors.
How do I choose the right IP rating for M12 shielded cable assemblies (IP67 vs IP68)? + −
Select IP rating based on real exposure conditions and whether the connector is mated during operation. IP67 is commonly sufficient for dust-tight performance and temporary immersion protection in many machine environments. IP68 is typically chosen for more demanding or prolonged moisture exposure, depending on manufacturer test conditions. Also check resistance to coolant, oils, and cleaning chemicals, since chemical compatibility can be as critical as ingress protection for connector lifetime.
How should I select M12 cable length for sensors and actuators to avoid voltage drop and signal problems? + −
Choose the shortest practical cable length that still supports service loops and machine motion. For power and discrete I/O, calculate voltage drop from current, conductor resistance, and total loop length to ensure device operating voltage remains within tolerance. For analog or communication signals, longer lengths increase susceptibility to noise and attenuation, so shielding quality and routing become more important. Standardize a few validated lengths to simplify spares while avoiding excessive coiled cable in cabinets or on machines.
Should I use straight or 90° M12 shielded connectors on machine wiring? + −
Use straight connectors where there is enough axial clearance and minimal risk of cable impact or snagging. Choose 90° versions in tight spaces, near moving assemblies, or where reduced cable protrusion improves protection and bend management. The right-angle option can lower stress at the connector interface when cable routing immediately turns along a panel or device body. Confirm minimum bend radius of the attached cable and ensure orientation supports maintenance access and mating torque application.