Understanding Power Cable Options for Industrial Automation

Today, there seem to be more choices for DC power cables than ever before. In this blog, I’ll explain the differences between these options and help you decide which power cable is best for your application. I’ll cover the most popular power cable options available, including A-coded M12, T-coded M12, L-coded M12, and 7/8” power cables. These differences highlight the specific use cases and electrical characteristics of each cable type in industrial automation controls architecture.

A-coded power cables are commonly used for sensors and actuators, especially in control signal and data applications. These cables feature an M12 A-coded connector type and they typically come in 4-pin or 5-pin configurations. They usually have a voltage rating of up to 250V and a current rating of around 4A per pin. A-coded power cables are suitable for data transmission and low-power applications, making them a standard option for IO-Link sensor applications. Additionally, they offer environmental protection with IP67 or higher ratings, ensuring they are protected against dust and water.

T-coded power cables are suitable for power transmission in industrial Ethernet applications, such as PROFINET, and are also commonly used for network blocks. These cables feature an M12 T-coded connector type and typically have a 4-pin configuration. They usually have a voltage rating of up to 63V and can handle a current rating of around 12A. T-coded power cables are capable of carrying both power and data in certain applications, making them versatile for various industrial needs. Additionally, they offer high IP ratings, ensuring reliable performance in harsh industrial environments.

L-coded power cables are designed for power supply applications, particularly in low-voltage but high-current scenarios, such as compact drives, motors, and network blocks. These cables feature an M12 L-coded connector type and typically come in 4-pin configurations. They usually have a voltage rating of up to 63V and boast a higher current capacity of around 16A. primarily used for power transmission rather than data, L-coded power cables are ideal for delivering substantial power to devices. Additionally, they offer high IP ratings, ensuring robust performance in harsh industrial environments.

7/8” power cables are suitable for powering larger devices like motors and heavy-duty network blocks. These cables feature a connector size of 7/8 inches (22.2 mm) and typically come in 4-pin configurations, though 3-pin and 5-pin options are also available. They are designed for higher voltage applications, often ranging from 300V to 600V, and can handle higher currents, commonly around 10A to 16A. Additionally, these cables usually have robust IP67 or higher ratings, ensuring durability and protection in industrial environments.