TE Connectivity and Phoenix Contact will jointly develop new hybrid single pair ethernet (SPE) M12 connection solutions. The M12 connectors comply with the specified hybrid format according to International Electrotechnical Commission standard 63171-7, which was initiated in early 2021 at the suggestion of TE in the standards commission. This agreement combines the innovative power of two companies that have great expertise and competence in connectivity. Both manufacturers are pursuing the goal of driving the market breakthrough of SPE technology in the industrial environment and jointly supporting the IEC 63171 standard.
Priyank Kishor, Global Product Management Leader at TE Connectivity, comments on the cooperation: "As a founding member of the SPE Industrial Partner Network, TE is committed to bringing the key benefits of SPE technology to industrial networks. We now have a common roadmap for implementation, namely the development of hybrid interfaces that facilitate the integration of SPE into existing infrastructure. In collaboration with Phoenix Contact, we will jointly develop solutions that enable the comprehensive implementation of SPE."
The IEC 63171-7 standard specifies hybrid interfaces with SPE and power contacts in M12 format. The standard describes seven codings for different applications with power classes from 8 to 16 amperes and from 50 to 600 volts. While previous concepts with Power over Data Line (PoDL) are limited to 50 watts at the device, applications for SPE-M12 hybrid connectors include high-power IIoT devices, robotic systems, servo and AC drives. In doing so, this universal standard for SPE implementation takes the industry an important step closer to bringing ethernet to the edge of the industrial network, enabling the implementation of smart manufacturing.
Torsten Janwlecke, member of the Phoenix Contact management board and president of the Device Connectors business unit, adds: "The development partnership with TE Connectivity forms the basis for the successful development and global marketing of SPE-M12 hybrid connectors. The new connectors according to -7 standard supply devices in a cost- and space-saving way with only one cable and one interface for data and power. We are thus reaching the next milestone for the successful establishment of single pair ethernet at the field level." Development activities will focus on coding 2 (2 x 8 amps / 50 volts AC) in the first step. The first series products are to be launched at the beginning of 2023.
