Circular Connectors

Choosing Circular Connectors components

Circular connector selection is part-number-driven because the same physical thread size hides many electrical variants. M12 alone has at least six coding variants in common use, each with a different pin pattern and a different intended application.

Specs to confirm before ordering:

Thread size: M5 (miniature signal), M8 (small sensor), M12 (general purpose), M16, M23 (power and high-pin-count signal)
Coding: A-code (sensor/actuator), B-code (Profibus, fieldbus), D-code (industrial Ethernet 100 Mbit), X-code (gigabit Ethernet), L-code (power)
Pin count: 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 17, 19, depending on size and coding
Gender: plug (male pins) or socket/coupler (female sockets)
Mounting style: cable-end (with cable gland), front-mount bulkhead, rear-mount bulkhead, T-coupler
Termination on field-wireable: screw, push-in spring, IDC, solder cup, crimp
Contact plating: gold-flashed (low signal), silver (high current)
IP rating when mated: IP65, IP67, IP68, IP69K
Current rating per contact

Common gotchas: M12 A-code (sensor) and M12 D-code (industrial Ethernet) have different pin patterns and are not interchangeable, but field installers sometimes assume a "4-pin M12" is universal — it is not. M8 connectors come in 3-pin and 4-pin variants that are physically similar; the 4-pin variant adds a center pin and will not seat in a 3-pin socket. Bulkhead connectors come in front-mount and rear-mount variants; the threaded barrel length and panel-cutout requirement differ, and substituting one for the other forces panel rework. Crimp contacts require the OEM crimp tool — using a generic crimper damages the contact and ruins ingress sealing.

Typical applications: bulkhead connectors on machine cabinets for sensor and motor connections, field-wireable connectors for cable repair and custom lengths, T-couplers for daisy-chain sensor wiring, and panel-mount connectors for inter-machine connection. On legacy installations, exact-OEM connector replacement preserves the panel cutout and mating compatibility.

For obsolete circular connectors, send the OEM part number for a sourcing quote.

Do you stock obsolete M-series connectors?

Yes. Discontinued Lumberg first generations, retired Hirschmann ELKA codes, end-of-life Phoenix Contact early SACC codes, and earlier Binder series are sourced through our supplier network.

How do I tell M12 A-code from D-code visually?

Look at the pin arrangement: A-code has 4 pins in a symmetric pattern with one slightly offset key. D-code has 4 pins in a square pattern with a distinct keying flat. The packaging or part number will state the code.

Can I mate connectors from different brands?

For standard M-series within the same code and pin count, yes — they are designed to mate across brands. Pin pull-out strength and contact resistance may vary slightly. For mission-critical applications, single-brand consistency is recommended.

Bulkhead front-mount vs. rear-mount — which do I need?

Depends on the panel design. Front-mount has the threaded barrel pointing inward and is secured from outside with a nut. Rear-mount has the threaded barrel pointing outward and is secured from inside. They are not interchangeable in the same cutout.

Do field-wireable connectors include the cable gland?

Most do, sized for a specific cable OD range. If your cable falls outside that range, a different gland or a different connector is needed. We will state the gland range on each listing where known.

What is the warranty?

12-month functional warranty. Damage from over-mating, mis-coding attempts, or improper crimping is not covered.

Circular Connectors

ifm efector E12355 Field-Wireable Connector Plug

ifm efector E12356 Female Wirable Connector

ifm efector E12499 Female Wirable Connector

ifm efector E30019 Field-Wireable Connector Plug

ifm efector EVC810 Female Wirable Connector

ifm efector EVC811 Female Wirable Connector

ifm efector EVC812 Field-Wireable Connector Plug

ifm efector EVC813 Field-Wireable Connector Plug

Pepperl+Fuchs V1-G-ABG-PG9 Field-Wireable Female Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V1-G-BK Field-Wireable Female Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V1-G-PG9 Field-Wireable Female Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V1-W-BK Field-Wireable Female Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V15B-G-ABG-PG9 Field-Wireable Female Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V1S-G-PG9 Field-Wireable Male Connector

Pepperl+Fuchs V1SD-G-ABG-PG9 Field-Wireable Male Connector

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