What's on the Other End?
The M12 end matches your device. The other end decides where the cable goes.
| Other end |
Cordset type |
Typical connection |
| Open wire leads | Single-ended | Sensor or valve wired back to terminal blocks or a PLC input card |
| M12 | Double-ended | Sensor to I/O block or junction box, or an extension between two cordsets |
| M8 | Double-ended | Miniature M8 sensor to an M12 I/O port |
| 7/8" (minifast) | Double-ended | Junction box home-run to a 7/8" multi-pin connection |
| RJ45 | Double-ended | M12 Ethernet device to a cabinet switch, PLC, or laptop |
| USB or DB9 | Double-ended | Fixed industrial scanners to a PC, such as Zebra M12 to USB and M12 to DB9 RS-232 cables |
Choosing Cable for the Environment
The connector is usually the same across a cordset family. The cable is what changes from one application to the next. These are the application types Turck assigns to its M12 cordsets, which make up most of this category.
| Application |
What to look for |
| General machine wiring | Tray-rated PVC cordsets cover most fixed sensor and actuator runs. |
| Moving axes and cable tracks | Cordsets marked high flex, C-track, or drag chain. Check the bending cycles and bend radius on the datasheet. |
| Welding cells | Weld spatter resistant cordsets, including Turck Weldlife cable. |
| Food and beverage washdown | Turck washdown cordsets, identified by the WD- prefix on the part number. |
| Hazardous locations | Turck hazardous location cordsets, identified by the P- prefix on the part number. Confirm the approval matches your area classification. |
| Noise near drives and motor leads | Shielded cordsets, and shielded cable for Ethernet, encoder, and analog signals. |
| Troubleshooting at the device | Cordsets with LED indicators in the connector head show power and switching state. |
Reading a Turck M12 Cordset Part Number
Replacing an existing Turck cable? The part number tells you most of what you need.
| Part of the number |
Meaning |
Example |
| First two letters | RK = straight female, RS = straight male, WK = right-angle female, WS = right-angle male | WKC 4.4T-2 is a right-angle female cordset |
| Number before T | Pin count: 4.4T = 4 pin, 4.5T = 5 pin, 8T = 8 pin, 12T = 12 pin | RKC 4.5T-2 is a 5-pin cordset |
| Number after the dash | Cable length in meters | RKC 4.5T-10 is 10 m long |
| Second connector after the length | Double-ended cordset; the second code describes the other end | RKC 8T-35-RSC 8T is female to male, 35 m |
| Newer E-series (EKRT, ESRT, EKWB) | EK = female, ES = male; R = straight, W = right angle; the letter and number after the first dash give coding and pin count; the last number is length in meters | EKRT-A4.400-GC2K-2 is straight female, A-coded, 4 pin, 2 m |
Suffixes after a slash, such as /S90 or /CS12302, mark special versions. Search the full part number to find an exact match.
M12 Cordset FAQ
What is an M12 cordset?
An M12 cordset is a factory-molded cable with an M12 circular connector on one or both ends. The molded construction seals the connector to the cable jacket, so it installs quickly and holds up to vibration, coolant, and washdown better than a hand-terminated cable. M12 cordsets are the standard connection for industrial sensors, actuators, valves, I/O blocks, and Ethernet field devices.
What is the difference between a pigtail and an extension cable?
A pigtail is a single-ended cordset: an M12 connector on one end and open wire leads on the other, for wiring into terminals. An extension cable is a double-ended cordset with a connector on both ends, used to plug a device into an I/O block or junction box, or to extend another cordset.
How do I choose the right M12 cordset for a sensor?
Match five things to the sensor datasheet: coding (usually A-coded for sensors), pin count, gender (most sensors have a male port, so the cordset end is female), straight or right-angle orientation, and cable length. Then pick the jacket for the environment, such as PVC for general use or a high flex cable for moving axes.
Can I use a 5-pin M12 cordset on a 4-pin sensor?
Check the datasheets for both before you substitute. Pin count and pinout have to suit the device's wiring, and some sensors use the fifth pin for a function the cordset would connect. When in doubt, order the cordset with the same coding and pin count as the device port.
What lengths do M12 cordsets come in?
Lengths in this category run from short patch cords under 1 m to 200 m reels, with the most common sizes between 1 and 10 m. Measure the routed path through cable tray or track rather than the straight-line distance, and leave a little slack for service loops.
Need help matching an M12 cordset?
Send us the device part number, the run length, and the environment, and the Automation Distribution team will help you pick the right cordset. Contact Automation Distribution or call 1-888-600-3080.
