New CAT5e and CAT6 cables for use in e-chain with increased service life and approval for the American market

CAT5e or CAT6 cables are indispensable for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in automation. igus has now further developed two highly flexible Ethernet cables, CFBUS.045 and CFBUS.049, specifically for use in the energy chain. The new CAT5e and CAT6 cables have enhanced UL approval for the North American market with 600 volts. They have been successfully tested in the igus test laboratory with more than 76 million strokes and are available from stock from a length of 1 meter.

Industrial Ethernet is the future step for a digitised factory of tomorrow. Many studies show that the world of fieldbuses is stagnating, and the number of Ethernet nodes is increasing with high double-digit growth rates. What many have forgotten is that fieldbus systems are designed specifically for harsh everyday industrial environments, whereas the Ethernet is meant for the clean and secure environment of the office and server. But the industrial environment demands a secure and durable connection between the components. In this regard, igus is the first supplier to offer a family of cables, with the series CFBUS.045 (CAT5e) and CFBUS.049 (CAT6), specifically developed for use in energy chains. With over 76 million strokes and a bend radius of 9.5 x d, the cables were able to clearly demonstrate their exceptionally high service life in the in-house igus test laboratory. Due to the high-quality materials of the cables and the high electromagnetic compatibility through a special braided shield with 90 percent coverage, igus is now able to offer the new cables with an increased UL voltage of 600 volts directly from stock. Thus, the Ethernet cables can be safely used along with the drive cables.

Ethernet cables with 36 month guarantee for the US market

With more than 1,300 types, igus offers the widest range of energy chain cables with the world’s most extensive selection with international approvals, including cables with the UL certification. The motion cable specialist has been supplying UL certified chainflex cables for mechanical and plant engineering for more than 25 years. For exporting companies this means an easy market entry into the United States, because the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is the most well-known and comprehensively accepted test organisation in the USA. It regularly publishes standards and certifies products such as the igus cables. If there are test certificates for the cables, the customs clearance and commissioning are quick and smooth. Due to the constant testing of all chainflex cables in the in-house 2,750 square metre test laboratory, igus is the only manufacturer in the world to offer a 36-month guarantee on its complete cable range, including the new Ethernet cables for CAT5e and CAT6.