Connector, gland, and grip options for industrial-automation cabling
Industrial cable connectors join cables (more commonly) at front and rear-mount equipment receptacles. All connectors and cable glands have ingress protection (IP) ratings as defined by IEC 60529 that quantify their resistance to dirt and moisture. These ratings are the same as those used to describe the ruggedness of component housings as well as industrial equipment enclosures. An IP code has two digits, with higher values indicating a higher level of protection for both. The first IP-rating digit specifies the level of protection from solid objects such as dust — ranging from 0 for no protection to 6 for dust-tight sealing. The second IP-rating digit specifies the level of protection against fluids — ranging from 0 for no protection to 8 for continuous protection from water at a depth of 1 m. Comparing RJ and M12 ethernet connectors for automation Ethernet defined by IEEE 802.3 remains the most widely used local area network (LAN) technology anywhere. Ethernet- based communications standards for industrial automation include
ModbusTCP/IP, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, and Profinet. The connectors commonly associated with Ethernet cables are the ubiquitous registered jack (RJ)
connectors. Most RJ connectors include a plug having a simple plastic tab that clicks into mating geometry on an RJ socket to securely hold the two together.
Figure 2: This is a TL2253-ND hand crimper tool that allows in-field RJ-plug termination of four, six, and eight-wire Ethernet cable cut to length. With one squeeze the tool’s blades strip flat or round Cat5e and Cat6 and secure the connector body. (Image source: Tripp Lite)
Figure 3: RJ connectors such as the ones shown here are the most common on Ethernet cables. That said, there are other connector types available for use on Ethernet cable. (Image source: Getty Images)
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