Connection cables with open cable end

Connection cables with open cable end

Industrial cables in M8 and M12 formats are commonly used to connect sensors, actuators and decentralised I/O across factory automation, hygienic areas, outdoor plant and mobile equipment. The key is choosing a cable that suits your connector format (M8/M12), your environment (washdown, UV/weather, oils/coolants), and your mechanical demands (fixed runs vs movement/drag chain).

Quick takeaways:

• Match M8 vs M12 to the device interface, space, and pin requirements.
• For washdown/hygienic zones, prioritise cable families intended for frequent cleaning.
• For outdoor plant, consider Australia's UV exposure, weathering, and temperature cycling.
• For movement/drag chain, select a family designed for continuous flex.

What are M8 and M12 Cables?

In industrial automation, many sensors and actuators use circular connector-based assemblies, frequently specified by connector family such as M8 and M12. In practice, this helps you standardise wiring across machines, simplify replacement, and reduce comissioning time by using pre-terminated cable options.

Devices for use in tight spaces tend to have M8 connectors, while M12 connectors are more commonly used for most industrial devices.

Quick selection guide 

• EVC - suited for environments with oil splashes and common industrial exposure
• EVT  - positioned for hygienic and wet areas, wash dows, and cleaning chemicals
• EVF - for hygienic and wet areas, halogen-free, wash downs, and strong cleaning chemicals
• EVM - mobile machinery & robust outdoor applications
• EVW - positioned for welding sparks exposure

How to think about cable choice

When selecting a cable for M8/M12 devices, prioritise:

1. Fit - connector family, coding/keying, pin count, wire/core count
2. Environment - water/chemicals, oil/coolants, UV/weather, hygiene, vibration, welding sparks
3. Movement - flexing, torsion, drag chain routing, strain relief
4. Signal needs - shielding/grounding, noise environment, sensor type

Common applications

General factory automation (conveyors, packaging, assembly)

• Pain point: Damage from oil splashes, cable jacket crack, connection loosen, or cables fail under repetitive movement
• What matters: Flex suitability, strain relief, bend radius, and the right connector interface (M8/M12)
• Good looks like: A cable family designed for general factory conditions, resistance to splashing oil, and (where needed) movement/drag chain routing
• Solution: EVC cable range

Food & beverage washdown / hygienic zones

• Pain point: Frequent washdown degrades standard cables; ingress and chemical exposure cause failures
• What matters: Washdown suitability, hygienic design considerations, resistance to cleaning chemicals used on site
• Good looks like: A cable family dedicated to indoor washdown and hygienic environments
• Solution: EVT and/or EVF (halogen-free) cable range

Outdoor plant, exposure to weather + oils/coolants

• Pain point: UV, moisture cycling, oils/coolants and general harsh exposure from Australian environments shorten cable life
• What matters: Outdoor suitability, jacket compatability with oils/coolants used in the plant, sealing integrity at connectors
• Good looks like: A family aimed at outdoor/harsh indsutrial exposure
• Solution: EVM cable range for outdoor/vibration applications

Mobile machinery (construction/agriculture/material handling)

• Pain point: Vibration, impact, flexing and outdoor exposure cause repeated replacement
• What matters: Robustness, strain relief, vibration tolerance, and appropriate routing protection
• Good looks like: A family positioned for mobile machinery & robust outdoor application
• Solution: EVM cable range

Welding cells / welding splash rish

• Pain point: Damage from welding sparks and exposure to weld slag
• What matters: Spark exposure suitability and surrounding oils/grease/cleaning/outdoor chemical exposure
• Good looks like: Weld-slag resistant PUR jacket, weld-slag resistant coating on coupling nut
• Solution: EVW cable range