RJ-45 Industrial Ethernet Plugs and Jacks from Molex

Molex Incorporated has expanded its industrial data interconnection product offering with the introduction of more robust versions of its RJ-45 Ethernet plugs and jacks for use in industrial, marine and telecom applications. Designed specifically for compact applications requiring high density and high protection levels the IP67/IP20-rated connectors are built in accordance with the PROFINET specification.

Extended usage of Ethernet applications from office floors to the factory level requires RJ-45 connectors with an enhanced protection level and Category 5 (100 Mbit/s Fast Ethernet) performance – typical industrial applications include PROFINET driven robotic devices. Molex’s IP20 data plug is the smallest RJ-45 Ethernet plug on the market and the only version to which 22 AWG cables may be connected to support Insulation Displacement Technology (IDT). The connector is designed with a standard grid of just 14.00mm (.551), which provides maximum packing density in the application.

The IP67-rated data plug version features an innovative push-pull housing that can be locked and unlocked using one hand with minimal force. In spite of its high degree of protection, the housing is very compact enabling fast deployment and easy installation without the need for special tooling. The panel feed-through jack allows easy transition from harsh industrial environments to protected IP67/IP20 environments.

The RJ-45 industrial Hybrid System integrates the data lines and the power supply into a single, more cost-competitive connector for hybrid Ethernet networks. The IP67-rated hybrid plug incorporates a lever lock for single-handed mating and un-mating, reducing installation costs significantly.

Supplied in tray packs, the RJ-45 industrial Ethernet plugs and jacks conform to IEC-60603-7. The IP67/IP20 push-pull plugs have a durability rating of 750 mating cycles and the hybrid jacks are rated at 500 mating cycles with a working voltage of 48V. The contact areas of the Molex plugs and jacks are 1.27 µm gold plating, while in the hybrid version the power contacts are plated with 5 µm of gold to ensure reliable and consistent performance. The housings are manufactured from high-grade thermoplastic, which has a UL94V-0 flammability rating, and the operating temperature range of the connectors is 40 to 70°C.