M23 Connectors and Their Features

For many, circular connectors have become a go-to solution for automation systems because of their benefits over hardwired systems. Circular connectors are easy to use, compact in size, adaptable, and rugged enough for outdoor use. One particularly popular type of connector is the M23 connector.

The M23 connector is frequently used due to its robust design and customizable nature. Like most connectors, M23s come in male and female plugs and sockets, with power pin-outs that come in six, eight, nine, and ten poles, and signal pin-outs that come in six, seven, nine, twelve, sixteen, seventeen, and nineteen poles, and typically use orange jackets as power cables and green jackets for signals. An M23 connector can handle voltages of up to 200 V and currents of up to 8 A and has an IP67 rating. This means that it can be dropped in a body of water up to a meter deep, stay submerged for up to half an hour, and maintain functionality.

Made of nickel-plated brass, nickel-plated zinc, or a copper-zinc alloy, the M23 can also come in a variety of housings including straight connectors, right angle connectors, and panel mounts. In addition to the standard screw connection, M23 connectors are also available in the TWILOCK and TWILOCK-S quick connect system. Some manufacturers also include anti-vibration locks that prevent connectors from loosening and providing permanently sealed connections. This in turn means there is no need for re-tightening or checking if the connectors have come loose.

M23s are used in a wide variety of applications including motors, encoders, motion controllers, robotics, and conveyors. The M23 can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 257 degrees, allowing it to be used in a wide variety of demanding environments, and fulfill the needs for control signal and power transmission in a robust and compact delivery system.