FIELD GUIDESource-led reference
Port & Cable

Family reference

Network connectors

Identify the physical network connector first, then verify cabling category, pin assignment, link rate and power behavior separately.

11 forms 11 engineering profiles 8 related comparisons

Recognition & reference

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Read as a table ↓

Recognition illustrations are not to scale or fabrication drawings. The label-led symbols below, where present, are not interface geometry. Read the illustration limits in each exact reference; equal image boxes do not establish equal physical sizes.

Jump to a form 11 existing records
Reference table11 connector forms · names, shape labels & reference depth

An alternate overview of the same facts shown in the cards. On narrow screens, scroll the table horizontally or read the cards above. Alias lists retain the existing first four entries; the full record has further detail. This is not a dimension, pinout or compatibility table.

Connector forms in the Network family
Connector formShapeCommon aliasesEngineering
8P8C modular connector (commonly called RJ45)modularRJ45, Ethernet plug, 8P8C, network connectorEngineering profile →
M12 D-coded Ethernet connectorroundM12 D-coded, M12 D code, D-coded M12 EthernetEngineering profile →
M12 X-coded Ethernet connectorroundM12 X-coded, M12 X code, X-coded M12 EthernetEngineering profile →
ix Industrial connectorrectangularix Industrial, Hirose ix, IEC 61076-3-124 connectorEngineering profile →
M8 A-coded 4-position connectorroundM8 A-coded, M8 A code, 4-pin M8 A-coded, M8 sensor connectorEngineering profile →
M8 D-coded Ethernet connectorroundM8 D-coded, M8 D code, 4-pin M8 Ethernet, M8 PROFINETEngineering profile →
M12 A-coded 5-position connectorroundM12 A-coded, M12 A code, 5-pin M12 A-coded, M12 sensor connectorEngineering profile →
M12 B-coded 5-position connectorroundM12 B-coded, M12 B code, 5-pin M12 B-coded, M12 PROFIBUSEngineering profile →
M23 12-position signal connectorroundM23 12-pin, M23 PRO 12, 12-position M23, M23 signal connectorEngineering profile →
etherCON ruggedized RJ45 connector systemmodularetherCON, Neutrik etherCON, rugged RJ45, locking RJ45Engineering profile →
M12 Y-coded 8-position hybrid connectorroundM12 Y-coded, M12 Y code, 8-position M12 Y, M12 hybrid Ethernet powerEngineering profile →

Tell them apart

Useful Network comparisons

Related pages may include forms from another family. They explain distinctions, not permission to connect.

Telephone modular versus 8P8CIdentify the housing without inferring a network or telephone function.M12 D-coded versus X-coded EthernetWhich M12 coding and position pattern is documented for the Ethernet port? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.M8 A-coded versus D-codedWhich M8 coding is documented: A-coded signal/sensor or D-coded data? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.M12 A-coded versus B-coded versus L-codedWhich M12 coding and intended domain does the equipment documentation specify? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.M8 D-coded versus M12 D-codedIs the D-coded industrial Ethernet connector M8 or M12? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.M8, M12 and M23 circular familiesWhich circular shell family and coding does the exact equipment specify? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.etherCON versus ordinary 8P8C modularIs the interface a ruggedized locking etherCON system or a conventional 8P8C modular port? Connector-family identity is only the first layer; implementation-specific electrical and protocol requirements still need exact documentation.M12 D-, X- and Y-coded data/hybrid formsDoes the exact interface require D-coded, X-coded or Y-coded M12 rather than merely an M12 shell? Connector identity and manufacturer ratings are only reference layers; exact circuit, wiring, installation and equipment requirements still need qualified documentation.

Similar at first glance

Look-alike groups

Telephone modular versus 8P8CIdentify the housing without inferring a network or telephone function.M12 D-coded versus X-coded EthernetWhich M12 coding and position pattern is documented for the Ethernet port?M8 A-coded versus D-codedWhich M8 coding is documented: A-coded signal/sensor or D-coded data?M12 A-coded versus B-coded versus L-codedWhich M12 coding and intended domain does the equipment documentation specify?M8 D-coded versus M12 D-codedIs the D-coded industrial Ethernet connector M8 or M12?M8, M12 and M23 circular familiesWhich circular shell family and coding does the exact equipment specify?etherCON versus ordinary 8P8C modularIs the interface a ruggedized locking etherCON system or a conventional 8P8C modular port?M12 D-, X- and Y-coded data/hybrid formsDoes the exact interface require D-coded, X-coded or Y-coded M12 rather than merely an M12 shell?

Before choosing a reference

Network names and terminology

Resolve abbreviations, informal names and legacy labels without treating an alias as an additional connector identity.

Open Network terminology and aliases →

Continue with the evidence

From the form to the task.

A family name is a starting point. Use the exact record and device documentation before choosing cables or planning a connection.

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