HARTING ix Industrial® - The new miniaturised Ethernet interface

The new ix Industrial® from HARTING is a miniaturised Ethernet interface that sets a new standard for IP20 Ethernet connection.

Ethernet is the dominant communication standard for industrial applications, and the popular RJ45 connector has become the standard interface for Ethernet connections.

However, with advances in miniaturisation, the RJ45 has now become too large for many applications. 

In addition, its plastic locking tabs are easily broken in busy manufacturing environments, which can lead to contact problems as the connection works loose. 

Consequently, a smaller and more rugged connector, especially one which can also offer Cat. 6A performance for 1/10 Gbit/s Ethernet at the control level, has been on the wish list of many users and developers. With the ix Industrial®, HARTING is presenting an integrated system which meets all these requirements.

Socket sizes have been reduced by 70% compared to the RJ45, enabling manufacturers to use the ix in much smaller devices. Moreover, the ix combines data transmission and power supply into a single interface, further reducing the area required for connectors. For device integration, a small yet robust socket with five THR shielding contacts is available for maximum stability on the PCB.