| Full title | Connectors for electronic equipment. Product requirements. Part 2-109: Circular connectors. Detail specification for connectors with M 12 x 1 screw-locking, for data transmission frequencies up to 500 MHz |
| Publisher | IEC (TC 48/SC 48B, Electrical connectors) |
| Current edition | IEC 61076-2-109:2014, edition 1.0, published 8 May 2014. Stability date 2029 |
| European version | EN 61076-2-109:2014, approved by CENELEC on 12 June 2014 |
| Predecessor | IEC PAS 61076-2-109:2010 (withdrawn) |
| Related standards | IEC 61076-2-101 (M12 codings including A, B, C and D), IEC 60512, IEC 60529, IEC 61984, IEC 61918 |
What it covers
IEC 61076-2-109 is the detail specification for M12 circular connectors intended for high-frequency data. It describes connectors with IP65/IP67 degree of protection, suitable for data transmission at frequencies up to 500 MHz.
The connectors use M 12 x 1 screw-locking. They include fixed and free connectors, either rewireable or non-rewireable. The standard names vision systems and data acquisition as example applications, but is not limited to them.
It covers two connector types, X and H. They have different contact arrangements and are not mutually interchangeable, but they share common ratings and purposes.
Structure
| Clause | Content |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Scope and normative references |
| 3 | Technical information: terms, termination, ratings, marking, safety |
| 4 | Dimensions: styles, interface dimensions for types X and H, gauges |
| 5 | Characteristics: climatic, electrical, mechanical |
| 6 | Test schedule, test groups P, AP, BP, CP, DP, EP and FP |
| Annex A (informative) | Contact and pair designation for balanced cabling |
Styles listed include straight and right-angle free cable connectors, and fixed connectors for flange, rear or single-hole mounting.
Key ratings
| Characteristic | Value in the 2014 edition |
|---|---|
| Thread and locking | M 12 x 1 screw-locking |
| Number of contacts | 2 to 8 contacts, 8 cavities |
| Male contacts | Round, diameter 0.6 mm |
| Rated voltage | 50 V a.c. / 60 V d.c. |
| Rated current | 0.5 A |
| Conductor termination (types X and H) | 0.14 mm² to 0.25 mm² (AWG 26 to 24) |
| Degree of protection | IP65 / IP67 |
| Data transmission | Frequencies up to 500 MHz |
Climatic category, impulse voltage, pollution degree and the number of mechanical operations are given in the standard’s tables but are not reproduced here.
X and H coding
- Type X is specified with both male and female contact variants.
- Type H has its own contact arrangement and interface dimensions.
- Both types have the same ratings. Types X and H are not mutually interchangeable.
Informative Annex A gives an example of contact and pair designation for balanced cabling.
How it relates to other standards
| Document | Relationship |
|---|---|
| IEC 61076-2-101 | Detail specification for M12 screw-locking connectors (codings including A, B, C and D), for data up to 100 MHz. Current edition IEC 61076-2-101:2024. IEC 61076-2-109 lists the 2012 edition as a normative reference |
| IEC 60512 series | Test and measurement methods called up in the test schedule |
| IEC 60529 | Defines the IP codes used for the IP65/IP67 rating |
| IEC 61984 | Safety requirements and tests for connectors, a normative reference |
| IEC 61918 | Industrial installation standard. Its 2018 edition extended Annex H to cover use of the M12-8 X-coding connector |
| IEC 61935-1 and IEC 61935-2 | Field testing of balanced cabling and test of patch and work-area cords. Both list IEC 61076-2-109 among the connecting hardware they apply to |
The 500 MHz figure is the same frequency to which Class EA (ISO/IEC 11801-1) and Category 6A (ANSI/TIA-568.2) cabling are specified. IEC 61076-2-109 itself does not name an Ethernet application. Whether a cord or channel built with these connectors meets a given class is shown by testing that cord or channel.
What it means in practice
- A datasheet describing an M12 X-coded connector should quote IEC 61076-2-109. A-, B-, C- and D-coded M12 connectors are specified by IEC 61076-2-101.
- X-coded and D-coded M12 connectors do not mate. Check the coding at both ends of every link, including device ports.
- Check that the cable conductor size suits the termination range of 0.14 mm² to 0.25 mm² for field-wireable versions.
- For cords used in a tested channel, check the test report against the required class limits rather than relying on the connector rating alone.
Related reading: M12 X-code vs D-code: what’s the difference? · Industrial RJ45 vs M12.