How to Choose IX Industrial A-Key to RJ45 Cables: IX30 vs IX40, CVL1 vs CVL2
Understand IDC versus solder termination, right-angle plug orientation, and RJ45 Keystone versus RJ45 plug structures before selecting a Cat6A ix Industrial Ethernet cable assembly.
ix Industrial Type A provides a compact Ethernet interface for automation equipment, machine vision, industrial switches, robotics, medical systems and other space-constrained devices. An IX-to-RJ45 cable lets compact ix-equipped hardware connect to conventional RJ45 infrastructure without sacrificing installation flexibility.
Important: IX30 and IX40 are different conductor-termination methods, not different Ethernet performance grades. CVL1 and CVL2 are drawing-defined right-angle plug orientations. Always confirm the connector drawing and Pin 1 reference before ordering; the apparent installed direction can become up, down, left or right depending on how the equipment is mounted.
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What Is an IX Industrial A-Key Connector?
ix Industrial Type A is a compact industrial Ethernet connector system intended for high-density equipment. Its small interface size helps machine builders reduce port spacing and routing congestion in devices where a conventional RJ45 plug would occupy too much space.
The A-Key interface is used for Ethernet communication. In a correctly designed Cat6A-compatible channel, it can support high-speed Ethernet links up to 10 Gbps. Actual system performance still depends on the entire installed link: cable construction, shielding continuity, pair geometry, port capability, installation conditions and device configuration.
IX-to-RJ45 assemblies bridge compact ix Industrial equipment to conventional Ethernet infrastructure. They are commonly used to connect ix-equipped devices to industrial switches, IPCs, controllers, panel interfaces, test ports, cameras and structured cabling systems.
IX30 vs IX40: IDC Termination or Solder Termination?
The "30" and "40" in the part number identify the way the conductors are terminated inside the ix plug. Both use the same IX Industrial A-Key mating interface. The selection should be based on cable construction and production method-not on an assumption that one version is inherently faster or lower loss.
| Selection Point | IX30G-A-10S | IX40G-A-10S |
|---|---|---|
| Termination method | IDC insulation displacement connection | Individual conductor solder termination |
| Typical wire range | 26–28 AWG with controlled conductor and insulation dimensions | 22–28 AWG, offering broader conductor-size flexibility |
| Best fit | Standardized cable builds with consistent dimensions and repeatable production processes | Custom cable assemblies, non-standard construction or wider wire-size requirements |
| Key condition | The wire must correctly fit the IDC contact geometry | Soldering, shielding and strain relief must be controlled during assembly |
| What it does not mean | Not automatically lower signal loss | Not automatically higher signal loss |
Engineering takeaway: IX30 is a strong choice when the 26 AWG or 28 AWG cable dimensions match the IDC specification. IX40 is useful when the cable build needs more flexibility, including larger conductors or custom wire construction. In either case, high-speed Ethernet quality depends on correct pair handling, shield termination, conductor mapping and finished-cable testing.
CV, CVL1 and CVL2: Select the Right Cable Exit Geometry
The suffix after the IX connector model identifies the cable exit structure. This matters because connector clearance, nearby hardware and cable bend radius can determine whether a cable can be installed at all.
| Suffix | Plug Geometry | Selection Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| CV | Straight cable exit | Choose when there is adequate space behind the equipment port for a direct cable route. |
| CVL1 | Right-angle reference orientation 1 | Pin 1 is on the cable-exit side in the connector drawing reference. Select only after checking the drawing against the actual device mounting. |
| CVL2 | Right-angle reference orientation 2 | Pin 1 is on the side opposite the cable exit in the connector drawing reference. It gives the opposite cable route from CVL1. |
For website descriptions, it is safer to call CVL1 and CVL2 "right-angle routing options" rather than rely only on generic left/right or up/down labels. After a device is rotated, the same physical connector orientation can appear as a different direction in the installed machine.
Do not skip the drawing: A right-angle IX plug can reduce space demand and improve routing, but a CVL1/CVL2 selection error can send the cable toward an enclosure wall or another connector. Confirm the Pin 1 mark and final installation orientation before production or purchase.
RJ45 Keystone Jack vs RJ45 Plug
The RJ45 end determines how the cable integrates into the rest of the machine network. Select it according to whether the cable must terminate at a panel interface or connect directly to an existing RJ45 device port.
RJ45 Keystone Jack
Choose a Keystone jack when you need a fixed, modular RJ45 interface on an enclosure, cabinet door, panel, patch panel or service point.
- Panel or cabinet Ethernet access
- Modular structured-cabling integration
- Maintenance and commissioning ports
- Clean equipment-side RJ45 interface presentation
RJ45 Male Plug
Choose an RJ45 plug when the assembly will connect directly to a switch, IPC, controller, camera system, network module or another standard Ethernet port.
- Direct device-to-device connection
- Industrial Ethernet switches and IPCs
- Quick integration with conventional RJ45 hardware
- No panel opening or Keystone module required
Ready-to-Ship IX Industrial to RJ45 Cable Assemblies
The following cable assemblies use 26 AWG stranded Cat6A S/FTP high-flex cable with a green TPU jacket. S/FTP construction uses foil-shielded twisted pairs with an overall braid shield to help control electromagnetic interference in industrial installations. Exact environmental, dynamic-flex, PoE and temperature requirements should always be confirmed against the applicable cable specification and project conditions.
PCM-HD-0290 - Bring a Straight IX Industrial Ethernet Port to a Panel-Mount RJ45 Interface
PCM-HD-0290 is a Cat6A IX Industrial Ethernet cable assembly with a straight IX A-Key plug on one end and a CAT6A RJ45 Keystone jack on the other. It is intended for compact equipment that uses an ix Industrial Ethernet port but needs a fixed RJ45 interface at a panel, cabinet, enclosure or modular structured-cabling point.
The straight IX40G-A-10S-CV plug is a practical choice when there is enough clearance behind the equipment port for direct cable exit. The Keystone end can be installed in a compatible panel opening, patch panel, wall plate or cabinet interface, allowing service personnel to access a familiar RJ45 connection without opening the equipment enclosure.
Overall Product View
IX and Keystone Detail
Use this structure when: the equipment has adequate rear clearance and the RJ45 side needs to become a fixed, panel-mountable Ethernet access point.
Engineering note: A Keystone jack provides a modular panel interface, but the final environmental protection level depends on the enclosure, mounting frame, gasket and panel design-not on the Keystone insert alone.
PCM-HD-0293 - Route an IX Industrial Cable in the CVL1 Right-Angle Orientation
PCM-HD-0293 combines a CAT6A RJ45 Keystone jack with an IX Industrial A-Key right-angle plug in the CVL1 orientation. It is designed for installations where a straight ix plug would consume too much rear clearance or create an unfavorable cable bend close to the equipment face.
The IX side may use IX30G-A-10S-CVL1 with IDC termination or IX40G-A-10S-CVL1 with solder termination. Both use the same A-Key mating interface and are intended for the same Cat6A Ethernet application. The practical choice is driven by cable construction and assembly method: IX30 suits correctly matched standardized IDC cable dimensions, while IX40 provides broader flexibility for soldered cable builds.
Overall Product View
CVL1 Orientation Detail
Use this structure when: the required cable route matches the CVL1 drawing orientation and the RJ45 side needs to be fixed in a panel or modular Keystone system.
Engineering note: On the CVL1 drawing reference, Pin 1 is positioned on the cable-exit side. Do not select by a generic "left" or "right" description alone: the apparent direction changes when equipment mounting orientation changes.
PCM-HD-0291 - Use the Opposite Right-Angle Cable Route with a Panel-Mount RJ45 Keystone Interface
PCM-HD-0291 is the CVL2-oriented counterpart for IX Industrial to RJ45 Keystone panel integration. It is used when the cable must leave the ix connector in the opposite right-angle route from CVL1, helping avoid nearby heat sinks, cable ducts, enclosure walls, adjacent connectors or other mechanical obstructions.
The IX end can be supplied as IX30G-A-10S-CVL2 for IDC termination or IX40G-A-10S-CVL2 for solder termination. The electrical interface remains the same A-Key industrial Ethernet interface; the selection concerns how the conductors are terminated inside the plug rather than a different Ethernet speed class.
Overall Product View
CVL2 Orientation Detail
Use this structure when: the installation needs the CVL2 cable route and a panel-mounted or modular RJ45 Keystone connection.
Engineering note: On the CVL2 drawing reference, Pin 1 is on the side opposite the cable exit. Confirm the drawing before purchase; "up," "down," "left" and "right" depend on the final device mounting position.
PCM-HD-0292 - Direct IX Industrial-to-RJ45 Connection for Standard Ethernet Equipment
PCM-HD-0292 is a Cat6A industrial Ethernet cable assembly with a CVL2 right-angle IX A-Key plug at one end and a standard CAT6A RJ45 male plug at the other. Unlike the Keystone versions, it is intended for direct connection to an industrial Ethernet switch, IPC, camera controller, network module or another device with a standard RJ45 port.
The cable uses 26 AWG stranded conductors with S/FTP shielding and a green TPU jacket for flexible industrial routing. The IX side can be configured with IX30G-A-10S-CVL2 IDC termination or IX40G-A-10S-CVL2 solder termination, depending on the assembly requirement. The right-angle geometry helps keep the cable closer to the equipment surface in space-constrained installations.
Overall Product View
RJ45 and IX Detail
Use this structure when: a direct RJ45 plug connection is required and the equipment-side cable route matches the CVL2 drawing orientation.
Engineering note: For PoE applications, verify the required power class, conductor temperature rise, end-device ratings, connector ratings and total channel length before deployment.
Quick Selection Table
| Installation Requirement | Recommended Assembly | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight ix cable exit with a panel-mount RJ45 interface | PCM-HD-0290 | Straight IX40 plug plus CAT6A RJ45 Keystone jack. |
| CVL1 right-angle route with a panel-mount RJ45 interface | PCM-HD-0293 | Compact CVL1 ix routing plus a modular Keystone end. |
| CVL2 right-angle route with a panel-mount RJ45 interface | PCM-HD-0291 | Opposite right-angle ix route plus a modular Keystone end. |
| CVL2 right-angle route with direct RJ45 connection | PCM-HD-0292 | Direct CAT6A RJ45 plug for switches, IPCs and other standard Ethernet ports. |
Engineering Checks and Typical Applications
IX Industrial to RJ45 assemblies are commonly used in industrial switches, machine vision systems, factory automation, robotics, motion systems, medical equipment and Ethernet-enabled service interfaces. Before final selection, confirm the following engineering points:
Mechanical Checks
- Confirm A-Key interface and mating plug type
- Check CV, CVL1 or CVL2 against the product drawing
- Verify connector clearance and minimum bend radius
- Confirm panel opening and Keystone mounting hardware where applicable
- Review cable route around covers, ducts, drives and adjacent ports
Electrical and Environmental Checks
- Confirm required Ethernet speed and complete channel performance
- Maintain pair order, twist geometry and shield continuity
- Validate PoE power class and thermal requirements when used
- Confirm TPU, oil, UV, chemical and flex requirements for the actual application
- Test finished assemblies for continuity, shielding and network performance as required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IX30 faster than IX40?
No. IX30 and IX40 identify IDC and solder termination methods. They are not separate Ethernet speed grades. Final data performance depends on the entire cable channel and the quality of the finished assembly.
Which is better for 26 AWG Cat6A cable: IX30 or IX40?
Both can be appropriate. IX30 is suitable when the exact cable dimensions match the IDC specification and a standardized production process is used. IX40 is appropriate where solder termination or broader assembly flexibility is preferred.
How do I choose between CVL1 and CVL2?
Use the connector drawing and Pin 1 reference. CVL1 and CVL2 are opposite right-angle cable-exit geometries. Avoid choosing based only on a text label such as "left," "right," "up" or "down," because the equipment mounting position changes the apparent direction.
Can these cables be used for PoE?
They can be considered for PoE Ethernet systems, but the project must verify the required power class, port ratings, conductor temperature rise, cable resistance, installation environment and the complete link design.
Need Help Selecting an IX Industrial Cable?
Send the equipment connector drawing, desired cable route, RJ45-side requirement, cable length and operating environment. Premier Cable can help check the correct IX A-Key structure, right-angle orientation and cable assembly configuration.
