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M-Series Circular Connectors: construction and selection data
Reorganized from the applicable LMConn source-catalog pages. Final dimensions, contact ratings, keying and wiring remain controlled by the approved drawing.
Mechanical and environmental data
- Ingress protection
- Depends on selected body, seal and panel interface
- Mating endurance
- Confirm for the selected contact system
- Vibration
- Confirm against the approved application specification
- Mechanical shock
- Confirm against the approved application specification
- Salt-spray reference
- Material and finish dependent
- Temperature reference
- Connector, contact and cable material dependent
- Shielding reference
- Construction and cable dependent
Construction range
male front-panel receptacle, female front-panel receptacle, female rear-panel receptacle, male rear-panel receptacle, molded male cable connector, molded female cable connector, metal male field connector, metal female field connector.
- Select plug, free receptacle, fixed receptacle, panel or PCB format.
- Confirm straight or right-angle cable exit and available installation space.
- Match the pin count, insert orientation, contact gender and keying to the mating component.
- Define solder, crimp, PCB or factory-molded cable termination.
- Release cable diameter, shielding, jacket, pin map and required tests on the drawing.
From connector format to a controlled configuration
- Body stylePlug or receptacle, straight, right-angle, panel or PCB construction.
- Key and shellKey orientation and shell-size family establish mechanical compatibility.
- InsertContact arrangement, contact gender and pin numbering define the electrical interface.
- MaterialsShell finish, insulator and contact material are selected for environment and duty.
- TerminationSolder, crimp, PCB, collet, cable nut or overmold completes the released build.
What M-Series Circular Connectors are designed to solve
The best result comes from matching the connector and cable to the complete system—not selecting by diameter or appearance alone. This page organizes the decisions an engineer, buyer or system integrator needs to make before requesting a drawing or quotation.
LMConn groups compatible formats by locking method, interface size, contact arrangement, installation method and cable construction. This makes it possible to compare standard options while keeping project-specific details such as pin mapping, cable length, labels and validation requirements under controlled revision.
Available product directions
M5
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for m5. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
M8
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for m8. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
M12
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for m12. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
M16
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for m16. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
M23
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for m23. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
7/8 inch
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for 7/8 inch. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
Adapters and distribution boxes
Use this configuration when the equipment layout and mating interface call for adapters and distribution boxes. Confirm the exact drawing, electrical limits and mating component before release.
Catalog-derived parameters with original LMConn visuals
The following technical values are taken from the supplied source manuals rather than inferred from general connector practice. The accompanying image is an original LMConn presentation visual and is not a model-specific engineering drawing. Family-level data summarizes the catalog; ordering dimensions and electrical limits must still be checked against the exact model row and contact layout.
| Interfaces shown | M5, M8, M12, M16, M23 and 7/8 inch |
|---|---|
| Protection shown | Most threaded families list IP65-IP67; confirm exact model |
| Mounting | Cable, front-panel, rear-panel, flange and PCB variants |
Product appearance varies by shell size, contact layout, mounting and cable configuration. Request the current model drawing and approved sample for final verification.
Engineering selection guide
- Select interface size from space and electrical load. Record the requirement in the interface-control drawing or RFQ so it can be verified.
- Match coding to the protocol and prevent incorrect mating. Record the requirement in the interface-control drawing or RFQ so it can be verified.
- Choose field-wireable, molded-cable or panel-mount construction. Record the requirement in the interface-control drawing or RFQ so it can be verified.
- Confirm male/female terminology at the contact face. Record the requirement in the interface-control drawing or RFQ so it can be verified.
- Check environmental rating for the complete mated system. Record the requirement in the interface-control drawing or RFQ so it can be verified.
Information that controls the design
| Decision | Questions to answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Signal, protocol, voltage, current, contact count and shielding? | Controls insert layout, contact size, cable and test plan. |
| Mechanical | Mounting, straight/angle exit, panel thickness, mating access? | Controls envelope, cutout and serviceability. |
| Environment | Dust, water, chemicals, temperature, vibration and mating cycles? | Controls sealing, material and strain-relief choices. |
| Cable | Static, flex, torsion, conductor size, jacket and outside diameter? | Controls backshell, gland, bend radius and lifetime. |
| Quality | Inspection, electrical test, labels, traceability and packaging? | Creates an objective acceptance standard. |
Important: Ratings differ by exact part number, contact layout, cable and assembly condition. Values shown on a family page are selection guidance, not a substitute for the approved product drawing and datasheet.
Typical applications and design priorities
Factory automation
For factory automation, engineers normally prioritize connection security, routing space and service access. Document the mating part and operating conditions so the connector, cable and termination can be evaluated as one system.
Sensors and actuators
For sensors and actuators, engineers normally prioritize signal integrity, environmental protection and repeatable installation. Document the mating part and operating conditions so the connector, cable and termination can be evaluated as one system.
Industrial Ethernet
For industrial Ethernet, engineers normally prioritize connection security, routing space and service access. Document the mating part and operating conditions so the connector, cable and termination can be evaluated as one system.
Servo systems
For servo systems, engineers normally prioritize signal integrity, environmental protection and repeatable installation. Document the mating part and operating conditions so the connector, cable and termination can be evaluated as one system.
Distributed I/O
For distributed I/O, engineers normally prioritize connection security, routing space and service access. Document the mating part and operating conditions so the connector, cable and termination can be evaluated as one system.
How to compare candidate products
Begin with non-negotiable interface requirements, then compare environmental and assembly details. Do not use a single headline rating as the sole decision. A suitable candidate should match the mating geometry, contact map, electrical load, cable construction, mounting envelope and maintenance method.
For replacement projects, send photographs only as supporting information. Measurements, existing part numbers, panel cutouts and pin assignments are needed because many circular connectors have similar external shapes. For new designs, reserve space for the connector body, coupling action, minimum cable bend radius and an operator’s hand or assembly tool.
RFQ checklist
- Target quantity, prototype quantity and annual demand.
- Connector family, mating component or interface drawing.
- Contact count, gender, coding, keying and pin assignment.
- Voltage, current, signal type, network protocol and shield strategy.
- Mounting method, panel thickness and available installation space.
- Cable type, length, conductor size, flex requirements and jacket material.
- Ingress protection, temperature, vibration and chemical exposure.
- Required tests, labeling, documentation and packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What is M-Series Circular used for?
Metric threaded connectors provide a familiar industrial interface with positive screw coupling and broad support for sensors, actuators, Ethernet, fieldbus and power. Common uses include factory automation, sensors and actuators, industrial Ethernet. Final suitability depends on the selected part number and operating conditions.
How do I select the correct M series connector?
Start with the mating interface, electrical function and environment. Then confirm mounting, contact layout, termination, cable diameter and keying. The selection checklist on this page captures the minimum information needed for an engineering review.
Are all M series connector products interchangeable?
No. Products that look similar may differ in thread, shell size, keying, contact layout, insert orientation, sealing and dimensions. Always compare the complete dimensional drawing and mating-part definition.
Which specifications should I send for a quotation?
Send quantity, drawings or mating part, contact count, pinout, voltage and current, signal or protocol, cable type and length, environmental rating, mounting style and any testing or labeling requirements.
Can LMConn configure a custom version?
Configuration can cover contact layout, cable length, connector orientation, pin mapping, shielding, overmolding, labels and packaging where technically feasible. A drawing review is required before production.
How is the final part verified?
Verification should be defined by the project and may include dimensional inspection, continuity, insulation resistance, contact resistance, high-potential testing, shield continuity and visual checks. Required tests must be agreed in the specification.