Revolutionary condition monitoring for industrial cabling

In the dynamic world of industrial connectivity, Turck has introduced a groundbreaking innovation: the M12Plus connector. This advanced connector goes beyond traditional cabling solutions by moving condition monitoring directly to the plug connection level. 

In cooperation with IMS Connector Systems and the Fraunhofer EMI, Turck has created a connector that not only integrates voltage and current monitoring, but also enables wireless measured value transfer via Bluetooth Low Energy.

Importance of connectivity in digital transformation

As the digital transformation of industry advances and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) evolves, the need for reliable communication links and power supply remains crucial. Turck, with its decades of experience in connectivity products, has formulated an answer to these requirements with the M12Plus connector. From standard M12 connectors to custom cables and splitters, Turck's extensive range offers flexible combination options for various applications.

The future of condition monitoring

The M12Plus connector marks an evolutionary step in connection technology by bringing condition monitoring to the core of cabling. With integrated voltage and current monitoring electronics, the connector offers an unparalleled ability to detect potential problems before they even manifest themselves. The built-in Bluetooth chip allows the M12Plus to transfer measured values wirelessly to the plant's data interface, enabling real-time monitoring.

Protection against cable failure

The M12Plus connector is designed for durability in demanding environments. In applications where cables are frequently bent, such as in drag chains or on robots, the M12Plus prevents premature degradation of copper wires. The integrated measurement electronics, combined with a TXL-series 4-core cable, enables accurate voltage and current measurement. This enables early identification of problems such as cable kinks, breaks or current problems.

Optimization of plant availability

One of the most impressive aspects of the M12Plus is its ability to quickly pinpoint cable problems. Each M12Plus connector has a unique MAC address, making it possible to identify the cable at risk of failure directly through documentation. This offers a significant advantage in minimizing downtime, as engineers can now replace faulty cables in a targeted and efficient manner without wasting valuable time on fault localization.

Easy configuration via Turck Automation Suite

The M12Plus connector uses Turck's IIoT and service tool TAS (Turck Automation Suite), for easy configuration and visualization of measured values. This browser-based toolkit has been enhanced with functionalities to individually label and visually mark each M12Plus connector. Viewing current and voltage values can now be done with just a mouse click.

Future Prospect

The M12Plus connector shown is just the beginning of a new generation of smart connectors. Turck has plans to develop several variants that can be adapted to specific needs, such as the application of specific designs, different cable cross-sections and varying voltage ranges. This gives a glimpse of the exciting future of connectivity in the industrial sector, where the M12Plus plays a key role in ensuring reliable and efficient cabling.