The 3M Industrial RJ45 Modular Plug was developed specifically for Ethernet applications in harsh, industrial environments where double-shielded Category 5e cabling is used. 3M says typical applications for the plug include industrial machinery, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), servo motor drives, remote I/Os, human machine interfaces (HMI), industrial computing, industrial robots and inspection cameras.
The plug incorporates 3M IDC technology for easy field termination, the company says. It also includes what 3M calls an "easy-adjust" feature, which helps to thread the cable's twisted pairs into place without unwinding them.
3M adds that other features of the plug that make it rugged enough to stand up to harsh environments include the following.
- Robust latch structure - built to withstand frequent insertion and withdrawal cycles
- Four-sided shielding - protects against electrical noise and helps prevent data errors as well as hardware damage
- Screw-type clamp on the plug - ensures strong cable retention
The 44-mm-long plug is compact and therefore saves space within a rack, 3M adds. It is EU RoHS compliant.
3M has produced a video on the plug that includes a termination demonstration. You can watch that video here.