TE Connectivity (TE) and Phoenix Contact will jointly develop new hybrid Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) M12 interconnect solutions.

The M12 connectors comply with the specified hybrid format according to standard 63171-7 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which was initiated at the beginning of 2021 at TE's suggestion in the standardization commission.

This agreement combines the innovative strength of two companies with great expertise and competence in connectivity with the common goal of driving the market penetration of SPE technology in the industrial environment - a sign that both leading trade groups and the industry as a whole jointly support the IEC 63171-7 standard.

Priyank Kishor, Global Product Management Leader, TE Connectivity: "As a founding member of the SPE Industrial Partner Network, TE is committed to bringing the key benefits of SPE technology to industrial networks. We now have a common roadmap for implementation, namely the development of hybrid interfaces that facilitate the integration of SPE into existing infrastructure. In collaboration with Phoenix Contact, we will jointly develop solutions that enable the comprehensive implementation of SPE."

The IEC 63171-7 standard specifies hybrid interfaces with SPE and power contacts in M12 format. The standard describes seven codings for different applications with power classes from 8 to 16 A and from 50 V to 600 V. While previous concepts with Power over Data Line (PoDL) are limited to 50 W on the device, the possible applications for SPE-M12 hybrid connectors also include powerful IIoT devices, robotic systems, servo and three-phase drives. This universal standard for SPE implementation brings the industry one important step closer to bringing Ethernet to the edge of the industrial network, enabling the implementation of smart manufacturing.

Torsten Janwlecke, member of the Phoenix Contact Management Board and President of the Device Connectors business unit: "The development partnership with TE Connectivity forms the basis for the successful development and worldwide marketing of SPE-M12 hybrid connectors. The new connectors according to the -7 standard supply devices with only one cable and one interface for data and power, saving costs and space. We are thus reaching the next milestone in the successful establishment of Single Pair Ethernet at field level."

Development activities will initially focus on coding 2 (2 x 8 A / 50 V AC). The first series products are due to be launched at the beginning of 2023.