ix Industrial™ Specified as a New PROFINET Interface by PROFIBUS User Organization (PNO)
January 20, 2022

The PROFIBUS User Organization (PNO) released a new PROFINET Cabling and Interconnection Technology - Guideline for PROFINET Version 5.0 on the 29th of June 2021 which specifies the ix Industrial™ as a new standard interface connector for Ethernet applications. 

PROFINET is the leading communications standard based on Industrial Ethernet. As a result, the guideline provides PROFINET users with definitive universal regulations for industrial cabling in Industrial equipment, systems, and plants. In the SPC (Specific Passive Components) section, the ix Industrial™ is indicated as a new key connector.

Compliance with this standard, benefits Industrial equipment manufacturers that comply with PROFINET standards when developing smaller yet higher performing devices. The ix Industrial™ series reduces functional space by up to 75 % and footprint by two-thirds compared to RJ45 solutions. Supporting CAT5e (1 Gbps) and CAT6A (10 Gbps) cabling, the ix Industrial™ Series I/O connector features an optimized EMI/ESD shielding design for safe and secure data transmission up to 10 Gbps.

The ix Industrial™ series is also compliant with the IEC 61076-3-124 standard. The product series features receptacles and plugs with two keying codes to differentiate Ethernet connections from other applications according to IEEE 802.3.

There are three receptacle types available within the family.

• Upright right-angle type - Can be mounted in parallel with a pitch distance of only 10mm to save space.
• Vertical type - Allows the mating plug to be mated from the top giving design flexibility.
• Horizontal right-angle type - Designed with a height of 5.7mm, less than half the height of a typical RJ45 connector. This version is ideal for use in devices where the application has a limited height. This version can also be used for thin-type control panels and FA control equipment.

The receptacle shell is mounted on the board via through-hole Pin-in-Paste solder legs to enhance the connector retention to the board and to resist wrenching forces from the mated cable assembly, protecting the surface-mount contacts.

The plugs are available in IDC and solder type. The wire-termination unit and cable clamp are integrated into a continuous metal shell to provide excellent EMC performance in addition to preventing the connecting part of the cable assembly from being affected by the load on the cable.