The light source control cable of industrial cameras is used to connect the light source controller with the camera, PLC or other triggering devices to control the opening, closing, brightness adjustment or pulse triggering of the light source. Common light source control cables include the following categories:
1. Trigger Cable
Used to send trigger signals from the camera, PLC or other control devices to the light source controller to make the light source flash synchronously.
Common models:
- Hirose HR10A, HR10G series (mostly used for CCS, OPT and other light sources)
- M8/M12 industrial connector (commonly used in IP67 environment)
- D-sub 9/15/25 pin interface (wide compatibility, such as Basler, Cognex and other cameras)
- 2.54mm/1.25mm pitch terminal wire (partial embedded light source control solution)
Brand:
Premier Cable, Oki Electric, Phoenix Contact, Binder, Molex
2. PWM/brightness adjustment cable (Dimming Cable)
Used to control the brightness of the light source through PWM or analog signals, usually connected to the light source controller or PLC.
Common models:
- 3-pin/4-pin Hirose HR10A
- M8/M12 4-pin/5-pin
- D-sub 9/15/25 pin interface
- 3.5mm/6.35mm audio plug (used by some old light sources)
Applications:
- Connect PLC (such as Siemens, Omron) and light source controller (such as CCS, Opto Engineering)
- Connect to camera IO port to control light source brightness (such as Basler, Allied Vision)
3. Coaxial Illumination Cable
Used to connect coaxial light sources, such as coaxial LED lighting, to ensure uniform reflected light source.
Common models:
- SMA/BNC coaxial interface (some high-frequency flash applications)
- M12 8-pin (such as KEYENCE coaxial light source)
- Hirose 6-pin (some high-precision light sources)
Brands:
CCS, Moritex, Opto-Engineering, KEYENCE
4. TTL/RS232 light source communication cable (Serial Communication Cable)
Used for serial communication between the light source controller and PC, PLC or camera, and can send adjustment commands.
Common models:
- D-sub 9-pin (RS232 controls light source brightness)
- RJ45 (some intelligent light source controllers support Ethernet communication)
- USB-A/Micro-USB (used by some programmable light source controllers)
Brands:
KEYENCE, CCS, OPT, LUMIMAX
5. High-Speed Strobe Cable
Used to connect industrial cameras and pulse light source controllers, supporting high-speed image acquisition, such as high frame rate detection.
Common models:
- M12 5-pin/8-pin (for high-speed industrial cameras, such as FLIR, Basler)
- Hirose 4-pin/6-pin (common in CCS light sources)
- BNC+TTL trigger (high-precision measurement light source)
Brands:
CCS, Smart Vision Lights, Epson, KEYENCE
6. DC Power Cable
Used for light source controllers or directly powering light sources, usually matching different voltage specifications (12V/24V/48V).
Common models:
- DC 5.5x2.1mm, 5.5x2.5mm (common standard DC power supply)
- M8/M12 3-pin/4-pin (IP67 waterproof light source power supply)
- Phoenix Contact 3.81mm/5.08mm terminal wire (used in industrial control cabinets)
Brands:
Mean Well, Weidmüller, LAPP, Premier Cable
Summary
The selection of light source control cable mainly depends on the light source brand and interface type, for example:
- CCS light source: mostly Hirose 4-pin/6-pin, M8/M12
- KEYENCE light source: M12 8-pin, D-sub 9-pin, RJ45
- Basler, FLIR camera light source control: D-sub 9-pin, M12 5-pin
