Good backgrounder on M12 industrial power + Ethernet standard

Jan 26, 2024

The Single Pair Ethernet Partner Network has put out an excellent backgrounder on its ‘M12 Hybrid System’, which is a ‘beyond-power-over-Ethernet idea that puts two, three or four power conductors alongside a single pair for Ethernet to transmit up to 9kW as well as data inside one cable with standardised connectors – compared to a few tens of Watts with PoE.

In that case, it is 600V (ac or dc) 16A ‘Type-V11’ connector configuration as defined in IEC 63171-7, with 14AWG power conductors in the cable – a protective earth terminal is included in the spec and 100m range is expected for a 5% voltage drop.

Type-V defines another 12mm connector, in this case handling 480V three-phase at 8A, plus a data pair plus a protective earth – sending 6kW up to 40m.

Other types are suited to 50V max, and all of them are covered in this clear backgrounder by the Single Pair Etherner Partner Network (from which the table above is taken).

IEC 63171-7 was adopted in May, according to TE Connectivity, which is one of the partners in the Network, and supplied the nice connector image on the left. According to it, the standard applies to shielded, free and fixed circular connectors, both screw locking and push-pull quick locking.

Using my new-found knowledge, I would say that the connector in the artists impression is a Type-II, for Ethernet plus two 50Vac or 63Vdc 8A circuits.