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Reflow-solderable M12 connectors

Degson is expanding its portfolio of industrial circular connectors and is now introducing reflow-compatible M12 connectors to the market, which have been specifically optimized for modern, fully automated SMT (Surface Mount Technology) assembly processes. The new PCB versions are designed for the THR (Through Hole Reflow) soldering process, enabling efficient assembly without wave or hand soldering—a decisive advantage for the series production of automation devices, sensor boxes, I/O modules, and Ethernet switches.

THR – Through Hole Reflow: The smart combination of stability and automation

The THR process combines the advantages of through-hole mounting with the modern reflow soldering process of SMT technology. The connector pins are designed to fit into the holes in the PCB, but at the same time feature heat-resistant plastic housings and special pin surfaces (usually tin or gold alloys) that can withstand temperatures of up to 260 °C in the reflow oven. This eliminates the need for the otherwise standard manual or selective wave soldering.

Advantages of THR compared to classic THT or pure SMT:

  • Highly mechanically stable (similar to traditional through-hole technology) → ideal for environments subject to vibration
  • Fully automatable in the SMD reflow process → saves time and costs in high-volume production
  • No additional soldering stations required → simplifies the production line
  • High-quality solder joints thanks to precise paste application and preformed solder joints

An overview of Degson's new reflow-compatible M12 variants

Degson offers THR-compatible M12 connectors (upright/vertical 180° and horizontal/angled 90°) in the standard pin configurations:

  • Coding A (most widely used) Number of pins: 3–8 pins (vertical or horizontal) Typical applications: Sensors, actuators, binary signals, IO-Link, DC power supply (up to ~4 A / 250 V), 1-Gbit Ethernet (for 4/8-pin variants with appropriate cabling) Advantages: Universally applicable, high compatibility with existing fieldbus and sensor installations, cost-effective, wide selection of pins for flexible adaptation to different signal and power requirements.
  • Coding B Number of pins: 5 pins (vertical or horizontal) Typical applications: PROFIBUS (DP), some specialized fieldbus systems, occasional pure signal or power applications with enhanced protection against misconnection Advantages: Reverse keying reliably prevents confusion with A- or D-coded systems → important in machines with multiple parallel M12 connections, good mechanical stability.
  • Coding D pin count: 4 pins (vertical or horizontal) Typical applications: Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), PROFINET, EtherCAT, SERCOS III, many industrial Ethernet applications up to 100 Mbps Advantages: Standard for 100 Mbit Industrial Ethernet, widely used in automation technology, high reliability for real-time communication, cost-effective alternative to X-coded systems when Gigabit speeds are not required.
  • Coding X Number of pins: 8 pins (currently available only in straight or angled versions) Typical applications: Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbit/s and up to 10 Gbit/s), PROFINET IRT, EtherNet/IP, TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking), high-performance image processing systems, robotics controllers with high data volumes Advantages: Four fully shielded twisted-pair pairs (X-shaped shielding inside), significantly higher bandwidth and immunity to interference, future-proof for IIoT and Industry 4.0 applications, meets Cat6A quality in many cases.

Conclusion

With its new reflow-capable M12-THR connectors, Degson is responding to the ongoing trend toward full automation in electronics manufacturing while offering the full range of standard M12 coding options. Whether for classic sensor technology (A), PROFIBUS (B), 100 Mbit Ethernet (D), or high-performance Gigabit/10 Gbit applications (X)—developers and manufacturing managers can now obtain mechanically robust, automatable PCB connectors from a single source.

You can request samples, price quotes, short-term delivery options, and further information via the contact form or by contacting your usual representative.

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