M8 connector and M12 connector are both waterproof circular connector which could be used for sensors, actuators, automation, industrial ethernet , robots and other application, the main difference is the size, locking thread, coding type, pin quantity, and application.
There are waterproof circular connector that have both M8 and M12 interface, such as M8 to M12 adapter , M12 to M8 splitter , M12 to M8 cable , M8 to M12 cable , we can call them M8 connector or M12 connector.
This artical will talk about the definition of M12 connector and M8 connector , the M8 and M12 connector pinout , codings , types , sizes , applications to find the difference between M8 and M12 connector .
First , let’s find out what is M12 connector .
The M12 connector is circular waterproof connector with locking 12mm thread , and it can at least reach IP65 protection level to prevent liquid or dust from affecting the reliability of the connection. m12 connectors are widely used in connection solutions for sensors, actuators, and industrial Ethernet and fieldbus devices, and can be used in harsh environments and even corrosive environments in industrial automation.
As the most popular and classic connector, the M12 connector has been used in automation for a long time. It was originally a 3-pin or 4-pin connector, which evolved from the RK30 connector. It is not as good as the RK30 in terms of electrical performance. , but the protection level is much better, which can reach IP67 waterproof. 4-pin M12 connector outlet to meet the needs of more complex industrial sensors. Because the design of the M12 connector is so classic and loved by the majority of engineers, the M12 connector has been continuously developed into 5-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, 12-pin and 17-pin, as well as a wealth of locking methods and coding types, further expanding the application in industrial automation.
Then what is M8 connector ?
The M8 connector is a type of waterproof electrical connector commonly used in industrial automation, robotics, and sensor applications. It has a circular shape with a connecting diameter of 8mm, hence the name M8. The connector typically has 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin and 8-pin, coding types as A-coded, B-coded, D-coded.
M8 connectors are designed to be robust and reliable, with a high degree of resistance to vibration, shock, and moisture. They are typically used in harsh environments where other types of connectors might fail. The connectors are available in various styles, including straight, angled, and panel-mount configurations, and they can be wired with either a screw or spring terminal.
M8 connectors are used to connect sensors, actuators, and other devices in industrial automation applications. They are also commonly used in the automotive industry, as well as in the field of process control and instrumentation.
The next content we talk about the different types of M8 connectors .
There are different types of M8 connectors , details as following :Following picture shows different types of M8 connector
M8 pinout and coding is very important to understand these different coding M8 connectors .M8 pinout and coding is very important to understand these different coding M8 connectors .M8 connectors have A , B , D codings , could be used for different applications , the various coding design could help prevent wrong mating of M8 connectors that are used for different applicaitons .Follolwing are the most widely used M8 connectors pinout :
The above picture shows the 3 pin M8 A coded connector pinout, we can see the male and female pins are mirrored, the above picture also shows the position of the pins. Do you know why there is no pin 2 ?
The drawing below shows pinout of M8 A-coded 4-pin connector , engineers will know the pin number from the drawing .This drawing shows the M12 B-coded 5 pin connector pin-out , the male and female have different pin sequence ，the shape of the insulator is different with A-code to avoid wrong mating.
If you want to know more M8 connector pinout , M8 connector color code , please click here : M8 Connector Pinout And Color Code
Some people who know the M8 connectors first time would ask what’s the M8 connector size ? It’s a hard question, as different M8 connetors only have one same size is the locking thread 8mm , the other sizes are different .
1）What types the M8 connector：First of all, we need to what M8 connector will you, prewired(shielded or unshielded) , field wireable(metal or PA66 shell) , bulkhead connector(front or back mount, PCB mount), or splitters, coding types, male or female, straight or right angled, pin quantity.
2) Electrical parameters of the M8 connector: The current-carrying capacity of the M8 connector is very important, and will determine the application it suits. Due to the small size of the M8 connector, more pins, the smaller of the current-carrying capacity. Usually, The 3-pin M8 connector has a higher current rating than the 8-pin M8 connector. If the rated current of the M8 connector does not meet the requirements, then you need to choose a bigger size connector, such as the M12 connector. The M8 connector is more suitable for applicaitons with small current and size requirements
3) The size requirements of the M8 connector in the installation environment: whether the M8 connector can be used, depends on the installation space, if the height is enough, and if the width is enough, straight or angled type will be used accord to the space, if the space is too small,then we have to consider much smaller connector.
4）Different environments have different requirements for M8 connectors: some M8 connectors are not designed waterproof, vibration-proof or corrosion-proof, so they cannot be used in harsh environments. For example, snap in M8 connectors are not suitable for severe vibration or in applications with high waterproof requirements, in very harsh environments, metal connectors will perform better than plastic connectors.
5）Service life of the M8 connector: After being installed on the device, some connectors may not change or disconnect for a long time. If they work in a long-term water, gasoline or vibration environment, will these affect the protection level of the connector? Whether the reliability of the device connection will be affected because the design life of the connector does not meet the requirements, these are issues that need to be considered.
M12 Connector Types
M12 connectors are also available for different types as M8 connectors , following shows the most widely used M12 connecotr types :
Following picture shows different M12 connector types :
M2 A coded connector has options for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 17 pins, it is mainly used for sensor and actuator cable connections.If you want to know more for M12 connector pinout , coding chart , please click Everything About M12 Connector Coding , Coding Chart , Pinout , Color Code , Wiring Diagram For different M12 connectors , they have same locking thread size 12mm , but the other dimensions are different , if you need to know specific size of a M12 connector , please contact our sales .
The standard thread of the M12 connector is 12mm. The reliable protection of the connection is achieved by locking the male plug or socket with the thread of the female plug or socket. The protection level reaches IP67 which suit for harsh industry application, usually have 2pin 3pin 4pin 5pin 6pin 8pin 12pin 17pin male connector or female connector, can be straight or angled. M12 connectors have 2 types , overmolded with cable, or field wireable type without cable. PVC material for the cable is used mostly , and for some with higher requirements will choose PUR (oil-resistant and wear-resistant) material.The length of the cable is made accord to customer requirements. Some applications for signal or data transmission with high requirements will require shielding. If the requirements are not high, you can also choose unshielded M12 connector.
The M8 connector is smaller than the M12 connector. It uses an 8mm thread. The male and female are also connected by tighten the thread to achieve the waterproof function. The highest protection level can reach IP67, and there are also conventional IP65 protection levels. Usually there are 2 pin, 3 pin, 4 pin, 5 pin and 8 pin M8 connectors, they are available in straight or right angeld type. There are also PCB type sockets. Fast and convenient for on-site maintenance. The cable material of the molded M8 connector is also made of conventional PVC material and PUR material with better oil resistance.
M8 and M12 connectors are designed for harsh industrial environment applications, so they both have a very high level of protection class.
The M8 and M12 connectors produced from different manufacturers looks very similar,but materials, electrical performance, protection class can be big difference,even some products cannot meet the requirements of industrial application. Users should choose the ones with good reputation, rich experience in the industry, and large scale, famous brand connector manufacturers, this will reduce failure rates and reduce maintenance costs
1）Application requirement : First the user should confirm the application requirement and choose the suitable model. M12 connectors are available in many different models, coding types, and are designed to suit different application environments from the very beginning. Therefore, in the selection process, it is necessary to compare the parameters of different M12 connectors, confirm the current, waterproof level, coding type, number of cores, installation space and other information, and finally make a reasonable choice according to the environment and application requirements.
2）Reliable manufacturer : Choose a manufacturer with more influence and strength. Although have same industry standard, different manufacturers will have different quality implementation standards during production. Under normal circumstances, manufacturers with brand influence tend to have a lower defective rate. In the selection process, the user must take into account the product differences brought by different manufacturers and brands, fully consider various factors such as price and risk, and make a comprehensive evaluation to make a choice.。
3）Materials : Materials of the M12 cable connector, the material is very important to realize the technical parameters and protection level of the connector, such as contact pins normally are gold plated brass, brass have very good electrical performance, but it is easily oxidized in the air, gold plated process ensures the conductivity while avoiding oxidation, and the size and contact area of the pins will affect the current carrying capacity, the material of the connector shell will affect the protection performance in harsh application environments, the accuracy,size error, will also affect the protection level
4）Stability : Stability of data, power or signal transmission. The M12 connector itself is a connecting device. If the signal or power transmission is unstable, or the carrying capacity is insufficient, it will cause problems in the entire system. The main things to consider here are the current carrying capacity, shielding function, and protection level, such as data and signal transmission must have a shielding function, otherwise the signal will be interfered, and the power transmission must consider the current carrying capacity, otherwise the equipment will not operate normally, and the anti-vibration function must be considered in the vibration environment, and the vibration may cause the connection to be interrupted.
5）Quality : The failure rate of the M12 connector. Because the connector is a very small part of the automatic control system, it only serves as a connection and is not the core component of the system. However, because of a small component, the whole system will have problems and affect the production operation, which is very worthwhile. , so be sure to choose high-quality products with low failure rate。
6）Harsh environment tolerance ： Comparison of waterproof performance. In outdoor and industrial environments, various factors such as water vapor, oil pollution, high temperature, acid and alkali may affect the reliability of the connection. If sufficient possible protection is not achieved, water and gasoline pollution will enter the connector and damage the contact. The connection will be unstable or interrupted.
M12 connectors are widely used in industrial automation and control applications. These connectors are designed to provide a reliable and robust connection for sensors, actuators, and other devices in harsh environments. M12 connectors come in a variety of configurations, including A-coded, B-coded, C-coded, D-coded, X-coded, S-coded, T-coded, K-coded, L-coded, and M-coded. Each configuration is designed to meet specific application requirements.
Sensor and actuator : M12 A coded 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin had been used a lot for sensor and actuatoras in automation.
The difference between M12 molded cable, M12 field wireable connector, and M12 bulkhead connector is in their design and application.
M12 molded cable: This type of connector is a pre-made, ready-to-use cable with an M12 connector on one end and a specific termination on the other end. The cable is typically molded onto the connector, making it a single, integrated unit. M12 molded cables are commonly used for connecting sensors, actuators, and other automation devices in industrial settings.
M12 field wireable connector : This type of connector is designed to allow for field termination of an M12 connector to a cable. The connector typically consists of a male or female M12 connector, a backshell, and a cable gland. The cable is stripped and wired directly to the connector, and the backshell and gland provide strain relief and environmental protection. M12 field wireable connectors are commonly used when the cable length or termination type needs to be customized in the field.
M12 bulkhead connector : This type of connector is designed to be mounted to a panel or bulkhead and provides a sealed connection between two M12 connectors on either side of the panel. The connector typically consists of a male or female M12 connector, a mounting nut or flange, and a sealing gasket. M12 bulkhead connectors are commonly used when an M12 connection needs to be made between two areas that are separated by a panel or bulkhead.
In summary, M12 molded cables are pre-made cables with an M12 connector, M12 field wireable connectors allow for field termination of an M12 connector to a cable, and M12 bulkhead connectors provide a sealed connection between two M12 connectors on either side of a panel or bulkhead.
Then let’s see the M8 M12 connectors which have both M8 and M12 interface as following.
It’s also called M8 M12 adapter , M8 to M12 splitter , made of PA66 shell, it allows you to split one M12 connector into two M8 connectors which had been used for automation and control systems to transmit data and power signals. The splitter has an M12 male connector on one end, which can be connected to a device with an M12 female port. The other end of the splitter has two M8 female connectors, which can be used to connect two devices with M8 male ports. This type of splitter is useful in situations where you have a limited number of M8 ports available and need to connect multiple devices with M8 connectors. By using the M8 to M12 splitter, you can split a single M12 port into two M8 ports, effectively doubling the number of devices you can connect. It is important to note that M8 and M12 connectors come in different types and configurations, so it is essential to make sure that the splitter you choose matches the specifications of the devices you are connecting.The M8 to M12 adapter have 4-pin A coded at the M12 side, and 3-pin A coded at the M8 side, theaccord the detail application.
M12 to M8 cable is one end M12 connector, one end M8 connector, each end can be male or female, if the M12 connector split in to two or more M8 connectors, it can also be called M12 to M8 splitter.
LIke the M12 to M8 cable, the M12 connector and M8 connector can be male or female, the cable length could be customized, cable jacket material PVC and PUR.
Do you find out the difference for M8 and M12 connector ? If you have more questions, welcome to contact us.