IEC metric screw sized connectors
IEC metric screw sized connectors is a family of electrical connectors defined by IEC that are named according to their ISO metric screw thread, namely M5, M8 and M12. The number gives their outer screw thread diameter in millimeters as with the identically named screws. However, the connectors are further classified by a so-called coding, denoted by one or more letters, which defines things like pin layout, shape of connecting surfaces and electrical properties.
The many types are partly to prevent incorrect connection. The larger connector sizes are the most varied, with designated connectors ranging from analog and digital signals to AC and DC power.
Each "coding" has a different keyway that prevents incorrect connection between incompatibly keyed connectors.
The connectors on the ends of cables have a freely rotating screw threads that are turned to screw the plug into its mating socket, while the connectors attached to equipment have fixed screw threads that do not rotate. This means two panel-mount connectors will not fit together as they cannot be screwed in, however two cables are able to be joined together. The gender does not affect this arrangement - both male and female panel-mount connectors are fixed, and both male and female cable ends have freely rotating screw threads.
Major uses include factory automation and transportation.
Products can be designed for high weather and chemical resistance as well as mechanical durability.
Standard listing
- : M12 A, B, C, D and P-coding
- : M8 A and B-coding
- : M5
- : M12 X and H-coding
- : M12 E, F, K, L, M, S, T-coding
- : M12 Y-coding
- : M8 D and P-coding
- M12-FO
Variants
All variants permit one or more pins to be removed to create differently keyed connectors. For example any pin in a 6-pin connector could be removed, to make six different, incompatible 5-pin connectors.| Coding | Pins | Diagram | Uses |
| A | 3 | Signal | |
| A | 4 | Signal |
| Coding | Pins | Diagram | Current rating | Voltage rating | Uses |
| A | 3 | 3 A | 60 Vac/dc | Signal, Ethernet | |
| A | 4 | 3 A | 30 Vac/dc | Signal, Ethernet | |
| A | 6 | 1 A | 30 Vac/dc | Signal, Ethernet | |
| A | 8 | 1 A | 30 Vac/dc | Signal, Ethernet | |
| B | 5 | 3 A | 30 Vac/dc | DeviceNet | |
| C | 12 | ||||
| D | 4 | Profinet | |||
| P | 4 |
| Coding | Pins | Diagram | Current rating | Voltage rating | Uses |
| A | 2 | 4 A | 250 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 3 | 4 A | 250 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 4 | 4 A | 250 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 5 | 2 A | 60 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 6 | 2 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 7 | 2 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 8 | 2 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 9 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 10 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 11 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 12 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 13 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 14 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 15 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 16 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| A | 17 | 1.5 A | 30 Vac/dc | DC power, sensors, actuators, 1 Gb/s Ethernet CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus PA | |
| B | 5 | 2 A | 60 Vac/dc | Non-Ethernet Fieldbus connections, commonly Profibus DP | |
| C | 3 | AC power, including motor connections | |||
| C | 4 | AC power, including motor connections | |||
| C | 5 | AC power, including motor connections | |||
| C | 6 | AC power, including motor connections | |||
| D | 4 | 4 A | 250 Vac/dc | Industrial Ethernet protocols such as Profinet and EtherNet/IP; only Fast Ethernet because of its two wire pairs. | |
| E | 2 + FE | ||||
| E | 3 + FE | ||||
| E | 4 + FE | ||||
| F | 2 | DC power | |||
| F | 3 | DC power | |||
| F | 4 | DC power | |||
| FO | 2 optical + 2 electric | - | |||
| H | 8 | - | - | ||
| K | 2 + PE | 16 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| K | 3 + PE | 16 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| K | 4 + PE | 16 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| L | 2 | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| L | 2 + FE | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| L | 3 | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| L | 3 + FE | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| L | 4 | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| L | 4 + FE | 12 A 16 A | 63 Vdc | DC power | |
| M | 2 + PE | 8 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| M | 3 + PE | 8 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| M | 4 + PE | 8 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| M | 5 + PE | 8 A | 600 Vac | 3-phase motor + auxiliary wire pair | |
| P | 4 + PE | AC power | |||
| S | 2 + PE | 12 A | 300 Vac | AC power | |
| S | 3 + PE | 12 A | 600 Vac | AC power | |
| T | 2 | 12 A | 60 Vdc | DC power | |
| T | 3 | 12 A | 60 Vdc | DC power | |
| T | 4 | 12 A | 60 Vdc | DC power | |
| X | 8 | - | - | 10 Gb/s Ethernet | |
| Y | 8 | Power + 100 Mb/s Ethernet |