Splitter Shape Guide
| Shape |
Use It For |
| Y-splitter | Two devices into one port. The most common way to use both signals on a 2-signal M12 port. |
| Tee | Pass a trunk through and drop one branch, for fieldbus and power lines. |
| H / h splitter | Pass a trunk through and drop two branches (H) or one (h) from a single body. |
| Molded body vs. cabled branches | Connectors directly on the body keep it compact. Cabled branches in PVC, TPU, or TPE reach devices spaced apart, with optional shielding and colors. |
| Adapter splitters | M12 to two M8 branches, so M8 sensors can share an M12 port. |
Wiring Options
Two splitters can look identical and be wired differently. The wiring decides which trunk pin each branch's signal lands on. Turck marks common wiring variants with modification numbers at the end of the part number:
| Wiring |
What It Means |
| Standard | Each branch signal lands on its own trunk pin, so two sensors share one 2-signal port. |
| Parallel (/S651) | Branches wired in parallel to the same trunk pins. |
| Series (/S719, /S1569) | Input series wired; /S1569 is series wired for NPN signals. |
| Other specials (for example /S755) | Custom pin assignments. Always check the wiring diagram on the product page. |
Powerfast Power Tees
Turck Powerfast tees extend AC and DC power down a conveyor or material handling line without hard wiring, and they are an NFPA 79 compliant wiring method. They are offered in sizes including M12, M16, and D-size (1-3/8"). The part number spells out the trunk and drop connectors: for example, an M16 tee coded 2BKM has a female trunk and female drop, BSM/BKM has a male trunk and female drop, and BKM/T has a female trunk with a cable drop. Turck notes that D-size tees are available with only one male connector per tee.
Ordering Notes That Prevent Mistakes
- Check the port first: a Y-splitter only doubles capacity if the junction box or I/O port accepts two signals.
- Match wiring to signal type: confirm standard, parallel, or series wiring and PNP or NPN against the wiring diagram before ordering.
- Gender at each end: the trunk usually plugs into a female port, and the branches accept sensor cordsets or sensors directly. Check every connector's gender on the product page.
- Add the drops: order the double-ended cordsets that run from each branch to its device.
Splitter FAQ
What does a Y-splitter do?
A Y-splitter connects two devices to a single port on a junction box or I/O module. With standard wiring, each branch signal is routed to a separate pin of the trunk connector, so both signals are read independently. This doubles the number of devices a port can serve without adding home-run cable.
What is the difference between a splitter and a tee?
A splitter divides one port into two branches that each end at a device. A tee passes a trunk line straight through and taps off a drop, which is how fieldbus networks and Powerfast power lines are extended along a machine. H and h style tees drop two or one branch from the same pass-through body.
What is the difference between parallel and series wired splitters?
In a parallel wired splitter, both branches connect to the same trunk pins. In a series wired splitter, the inputs are wired in series. Turck identifies these with modification numbers such as /S651 (parallel) and /S719 (series), so check the suffix and wiring diagram.
Can I connect M8 sensors to an M12 port with a splitter?
Yes. Turck offers splitters with an M12 trunk and two M8 branches, so two M8 sensors can share one M12 port. Confirm that the pin counts and wiring match both the sensors and the port.
Need Help Choosing a Splitter?
Send us the port and the devices you want to connect, and the Automation Distribution team will match the shape, wiring, and drop cables.
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