How to Choose IX Industrial Ethernet Cables for Device-to-Device Connections
Compare IX-to-IX, IX-to-RJ45 male, IX-to-RJ45 female and right-angle cable-routing options for compact industrial Ethernet equipment.
When compact automation equipment uses an IX Industrial Ethernet port, cable selection affects more than network connectivity. The mating interface, connector keying, installation depth, cable exit direction and Ethernet port at the other end must all be confirmed before ordering.
Do you need to connect two IX-equipped devices, connect an IX device to an existing RJ45 network, or solve a cable-routing problem inside a compact control cabinet?
This guide explains how to select the correct IX Industrial Type A cable assembly for device-to-device connections, including straight, 90° upward and 90° downward routing options.
📋 Contents
IX Industrial Cable Selection Is More Than Choosing a Length
A straight IX-to-IX cable may be the right choice for two compact devices mounted side by side. An IX-to-RJ45 cable may be needed when a new controller must connect to a conventional industrial switch or IPC. In a tight control cabinet, a 90-degree right-angle connector may prevent cable interference with a door, side panel, wire duct or nearby servo drive.
This guide focuses on IX Industrial Type A cable assemblies for direct equipment connections. It compares IX-to-IX, IX-to-RJ45 male, IX-to-RJ45 female and right-angle cable-routing options.
What Is IX Industrial Type A?
IX Industrial is a compact industrial communication interface designed for equipment where conventional RJ45 connectors may occupy too much space. Type A is intended for Ethernet communication and is commonly used in compact PLCs, industrial switches, machine vision controllers, robotic systems, embedded computers, servo equipment and factory automation devices.
For Ethernet applications, the connector interface may be used with Cat.5e or Cat.6A cabling depending on the complete cable assembly and system design. A Cat.6A cable assembly can support high-bandwidth industrial Ethernet applications, but final transmission performance must always be validated as a complete channel.
Important: "IX-to-RJ45" describes the connector combination. It is normally a passive Ethernet cable assembly, not a protocol converter. Both connected devices must support compatible Ethernet communication and the selected cable must use the correct keying, pinout, cable construction and shielding.
Quick Product Selection Table
| Connection Requirement | Recommended Product | Connector Combination | Main Selection Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect two IX Industrial Ethernet devices directly | PCM-HD-0109 | IX A-Key to IX A-Key, straight | Simple compact device-to-device connection |
| Route an IX cable downward in a tight cabinet or beside a servo drive | PCM-0972 | IX straight to IX 90° downward | Reduces side clearance and supports downward cable routing |
| Connect an IX device to a standard RJ45 Ethernet port | PCM-HD-0104 | IX A-Key to RJ45 male plug | Direct connection to switches, IPCs, controllers or test equipment |
| Connect an IX device to RJ45 equipment while routing the cable upward | PCM-HD-0292 | IX A-Key 90° upward to RJ45 male plug | Helps avoid lower obstructions and improves routing in restricted spaces |
| Provide a standard RJ45 female service or extension point | PCM-HD-0106 | IX A-Key to RJ45 female jack | Useful when a separate standard RJ45 patch cable will be connected later |
1. IX-to-IX Straight Cable for Compact Equipment Connections
PCM-HD-0109: IX A-Key to IX A-Key Ethernet Cable
PCM-HD-0109 is the most direct option when both pieces of equipment use IX Industrial Type A Ethernet ports. It is suitable for compact device-to-device links where a conventional RJ45 cable may take up too much space or create excessive cable congestion.
Typical examples include an industrial switch connected to a compact controller, a machine vision controller connected to an edge computer, or two Ethernet-enabled automation devices installed inside the same enclosure.
Best for: Industrial switches, compact PLCs, machine vision controllers, robotics controllers, embedded IPCs and compact Ethernet-enabled automation equipment.
IX A-Key to IX A-Key Straight Cable
Connector and Cable Detail
Product link: View PCM-HD-0109 Product Page
2. When to Choose a 90° Downward IX Cable
PCM-0972: IX Straight Plug to IX 90° Downward Plug
PCM-0972 is intended for IX-to-IX Ethernet connections where a straight cable exit would occupy too much side space or interfere with nearby machine components. One end uses a straight IX plug, while the other end uses a 90-degree downward cable exit.
The right-angle design does not increase network speed. Its value is mechanical: it helps route the cable along the equipment surface or downward into a wire duct, reducing the risk of a sharply bent cable, contact with a cabinet door or strain caused by limited installation depth.
Best for: Servo drives, PLC cabinets, robot controllers, compact industrial switches, motion systems and equipment with limited side clearance.
IX Straight Plug to 90° Downward IX Plug
Downward Cable Exit Detail
Engineering note: "Downward" should always be verified against the device receptacle orientation and the connector drawing. Do not select a right-angle cable based only on its product title.
Product link: View PCM-0972 Product Page
3. Connecting an IX Device to a Standard RJ45 Ethernet Port
PCM-HD-0104: IX A-Key to RJ45 Male Plug Cable
PCM-HD-0104 is used when one device has an IX Industrial Type A port and the other device has a conventional RJ45 Ethernet port. This is one of the most common transition configurations in mixed industrial networks.
For example, a compact IX-equipped machine vision controller may need to connect to an industrial Ethernet switch with standard RJ45 ports. A compact automation controller may also need to connect to an IPC, network tester, gateway or existing RJ45-based network infrastructure.
Best for: Industrial switches, IPCs, network gateways, factory Ethernet infrastructure, machine vision controllers and commissioning equipment.
IX A-Key Plug to RJ45 Male Plug
RJ45 Plug and IX Connector Detail
Product link: View PCM-HD-0104 Product Page
4. When a 90° Upward IX-to-RJ45 Cable Is the Better Choice
PCM-HD-0292: 90° Upward IX A-Key to RJ45 Male Plug Cable
PCM-HD-0292 connects an IX Industrial Type A port to a standard RJ45 male Ethernet plug, but its IX connector uses a 90-degree upward cable exit. This configuration is designed for installations where the cable needs to leave the IX port upward rather than downward or straight outward.
This can be useful when a lower wire duct, terminal row, drive module, mounting bracket or enclosure structure blocks the downward route. The upward exit may also create a cleaner path when the cable must travel toward an upper cable tray or top-mounted switch.
Best for: Compact industrial switches, machine vision equipment, control cabinets, upper cable-routing layouts and applications where lower cable clearance is restricted.
90° Upward IX A-Key to RJ45 Male Plug
CVL2 Upward Cable Exit Detail
Selection warning: Do not assume that a CVL2 upward-cabling connector will fit every "top exit" installation. Confirm the actual equipment layout and mating receptacle orientation before ordering.
Product link: View PCM-HD-0292 Product Page
5. When an RJ45 Female End Is More Practical
PCM-HD-0106: IX A-Key to RJ45 Female Jack Cable
PCM-HD-0106 is useful when an IX Industrial device needs to provide a standard RJ45 female connection point. Instead of directly terminating into another device port, the RJ45 female end allows a separate standard Ethernet patch cable to be connected as needed.
This can be helpful for service access, commissioning, temporary network extensions, maintenance work or machine designs where installers may need to use readily available RJ45 patch cables in the field.
Best for: Service connections, temporary commissioning, diagnostic access, industrial network maintenance and equipment interfaces that require a standard RJ45 patch-cable connection.
IX A-Key Plug to RJ45 Female Jack
RJ45 Female Service Interface Detail
Product link: View PCM-HD-0106 Product Page
Straight vs 90° Up vs 90° Down: How to Select the Cable Exit
| Connector Style | Use It When | Main Benefit | Main Risk If Selected Incorrectly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | There is enough rear and side clearance | Simple routing and broad installation flexibility | Cable may project too far into the cabinet or interfere with equipment |
| 90° Downward / CVL1 | The cable must enter a lower wire duct or avoid side interference | Cleaner downward routing in compact enclosures | May conflict with bottom-mounted components or terminal blocks |
| 90° Upward / CVL2 | The cable must avoid lower obstructions or route toward an upper cable path | Reduces lower-side congestion | May conflict with upper enclosure space, covers or cable trays |
Orientation warning: Before ordering a right-angle cable, review the equipment drawing from the mating-face view. Confirm the Type A key, receptacle orientation, Pin 1 reference, available clearance, cable bend radius and required cable path.
Five Engineering Checks Before Ordering
- Confirm the mating key. This guide covers IX Industrial Type A Ethernet connections. Do not mix Type A and Type B connectors.
- Confirm both end interfaces. Determine whether each device uses IX Industrial, RJ45 male or RJ45 female connectivity.
- Confirm cable exit direction. For right-angle plugs, check the actual installed direction rather than relying only on "up" or "down" wording.
- Confirm cable construction. Match shielding, conductor size, jacket material, temperature range, oil resistance, flex requirement and outer diameter to the actual environment.
- Confirm Ethernet and power requirements. Data rate, PoE use, total channel length and EMC performance must be evaluated across the complete installed system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an IX Industrial cable connect directly to RJ45 Ethernet equipment?
Yes, when the cable assembly has an IX Type A Ethernet connector on one end and an RJ45 connector on the other. The connected devices must support compatible Ethernet communication.
Does a 90-degree IX connector reduce Ethernet speed?
Not by itself. A right-angle connector is selected primarily for mechanical routing. Final data performance depends on the complete cable assembly and installed Ethernet channel.
What is the difference between CVL1 and CVL2?
CVL1 refers to a downward-cabling right-angle plug, while CVL2 refers to an upward-cabling right-angle plug. Always verify the drawing and installed receptacle orientation before ordering.
When should I choose an RJ45 female cable end?
Choose an RJ45 female end when you need a standard patch-cable connection, service point, maintenance interface or temporary commissioning connection.
Can these cables be used for PoE?
PoE suitability depends on the complete cable construction, conductor size, current rating, temperature rise, connected equipment and the intended PoE class. Confirm this requirement before ordering.
Need a Custom IX Industrial Cable Assembly?
Premier Cable can support IX Industrial cable assemblies with custom cable lengths, straight or right-angle orientations, IX-to-IX configurations, IX-to-RJ45 configurations, shielding options, jacket materials, labels, overmolding and OEM packaging.
For a correct quotation, please provide:
- Mating connector part number or device-port photo
- Required cable length and connector orientation
- Ethernet speed, shielding and PoE requirements
- Static, moving or continuous-flex installation condition
- Required jacket material and operating environment
- Drawing, pinout or installation image where available
An installation photo is especially useful for confirming the correct 90° cable exit direction before production.
Need to Build an External IX or RJ45 Machine Interface?
Read: How to Build IX Industrial and RJ45 Panel Interfaces for Compact Automation Equipment.
Need Help Selecting an IX Industrial Ethernet Cable?
Send us your connector part number, cable length, wiring requirement, equipment drawing or installation photo. Our team can help confirm whether a straight, 90° upward or 90° downward IX cable is the better fit.
We can support stock items, samples and custom cable assemblies based on drawings, pinouts and installation requirements.
