Beckhoff Automation has updated its proven hybrid connector designs to comply with the forthcoming IEC 61076-2-118 standard, ensuring compatibility and reliability for future industrial networking applications. As a core part of Beckhoff’s One Cable Automation (OCA) technology, the connectors combine power and data transmission in a single line to simplify installations, reduce costs, and enhance modularity.
Future-Proof Design for Industrial Automation
Beckhoff’s hybrid connectors are believed to be among the first products to achieve compliance with the IEC 61076-2-118 standard, expected to be published by the end of 2024.With roughly 100,000 OCA connectors already proven in EtherCAT applications, this design update ensures:
- Strengthened supply chains with second-source availability.
- Long-term reliability through compliance with a widely adopted standard.
The OCA solution was developed to simplify distributed automation by reducing cabling requirements and assembly time. The modular design supports a variety of cable and connector variants while ensuring correct assembly through mechanical coding.
Streamlined Modularity and Installation
Key features of Beckhoff’s hybrid connectors include:
- Uniform Data Module: Standardized across four connector sizes—B12, B17, B23, and B40—to simplify installation and reduce complexity.
- Clear Color Markings: Contact carrier markings match cable wire colors, eliminating detailed pin-assignment documentation.
- Simplified Assembly: With only 10 individual components, each part can be assembled in just one direction, reducing errors and cutting assembly time by up to two-thirds compared to third-party alternatives.
One Cable Automation for Greater Efficiency
By combining power and data in a single cable, Beckhoff’s hybrid connectors reduce:
- Cable and connector expenses.
- Installation complexity and time.
- Long-term maintenance costs.
This approach aligns with the demands of modern industrial automation systems, where modularity, precision, and efficiency are critical. For more information on Beckhoff’s IEC 61076-2-118-compliant hybrid connectors, please click here.
Source/Photo Credit: Beckhoff Automation
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