Pickering A025CFR LXI DIO/Trigger Cable Selection Guide
Micro-D25 Pigtail, Female-to-Female and Micro-D25-to-DB25 Cable Configurations
Quick selection: Use a Micro-D25 pigtail cable for custom wiring, a Micro-D25 female-to-female cable for direct equipment interconnection, and a Micro-D25 to DB25 cable when the external fixture or interface uses a standard 25-pin D-Sub connector.
Compatibility note: Matching a Pickering part number requires more than matching the connector shape. Confirm pin-to-pin wiring, cable length, conductor gauge, shielding, screen termination, screwlock type and electrical rating before treating any alternative as a drop-in replacement.
Contents
What Is the Pickering LXI DIO/Trigger Connection?
Selected Pickering LXI products use a 25-pin, 1.27 mm-pitch Micro-D interface for digital I/O and trigger connections. The compact connector provides a high contact density while screwlocks help retain the cable in rack-mounted test systems, automated test equipment and laboratory control installations.
The correct cable depends on the connection required at the other end. A test engineer may need flying leads for a custom fixture, a second Micro-D25 connector for direct equipment interconnection, or a standard DB25 connector for an existing breakout board or test interface.
Digital I/O and Trigger Integration
Typical uses include digital control, external triggering, status monitoring, relay control and connection to user-designed test fixtures.
Compact 25-Pin Interface
Micro-D25 occupies less panel space than a conventional DB25 connector, making it useful in high-density LXI and automated test platforms.
Three Termination Options
Open-wire, Micro-D25-to-Micro-D25 and Micro-D25-to-DB25 versions support different fixture and equipment interfaces.
Important application limitation: Pickering identifies these general DIO/Trigger cable assemblies as unsuitable for the LXI Wired Trigger Bus because they do not use shielded twisted-pair wiring. Do not select them for a Wired Trigger Bus connection solely because the connector fits.
PCM-S-0663: Micro-D25 Female to Pigtail Cable
PCM-S-0663 provides a 25-pin Micro-D female connector at the equipment end and individual conductors at the opposite end. It is the most flexible configuration for wiring a Pickering LXI DIO/Trigger port into a customer-designed fixture, terminal block, relay board, PCB or control cabinet.
Typical Applications
- Automatic test equipment and production test fixtures
- Digital I/O breakout wiring
- Trigger distribution to custom electronics
- Relay, interlock and status-control circuits
- Terminal-block and PCB integration
- Laboratory test benches and hardware-in-the-loop systems
Standard Premier Cable configuration: PCM-S-0663 is offered as a 1 m Micro-D25 female-to-open-end cable with 28AWG conductors and #2-56 UNC screwlocks. Length and wire-end treatment can be customized.
Corresponding Pickering Part Numbers
| Pickering P/N | Wire-End Type | Nominal Length | How to Match with PCM-S-0663 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A025CFR-C-5A050 | Cut end | 0.5 m | Specify 0.5 m and simple cut conductors. |
| A025CFR-C-5A100 | Cut end | 1.0 m | Closest length category to the standard 1 m PCM-S-0663. |
| A025CFR-C-5A200 | Cut end | 2.0 m | Specify a custom 2 m cable. |
| A025CFR-T-5A050 | Tinned end | 0.5 m | Specify stripped and tinned conductor ends. |
| A025CFR-T-5A100 | Tinned end | 1.0 m | Specify 1 m and tinned wire ends. |
| A025CFR-T-5A200 | Tinned end | 2.0 m | Specify a custom 2 m tinned-end cable. |
Cut end versus tinned end: A "C" Pickering code uses simple cut conductors, while a "T" code uses prepared tinned ends. Confirm the required conductor labels, stripping length and screen pigtail before ordering.
PCM-S-0786: Micro-D25 Female-to-Female Cable
PCM-S-0786 uses a 25-pin Micro-D female connector at both ends. This configuration is intended for direct connection between compatible Micro-D25 interfaces, including selected LXI DIO/Trigger equipment, interface modules and customer-designed Micro-D termination assemblies.
Typical Applications
- LXI DIO/Trigger equipment interconnection
- Micro-D25 interface-module connection
- Rack and cabinet internal wiring
- Extension between compatible test-system modules
- Connection to a customer-designed Micro-D25 breakout interface
Do not assume straight-through wiring: Female-to-female describes the connector genders only. Pin mapping, screen connection and screwlock configuration must still be checked against the Pickering drawing or original cable.
Corresponding Pickering Part Numbers
| Pickering P/N | Configuration | Nominal Length | Ordering Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| A025CFR-025CFR-5A050 | Micro-D25 female to female | 0.5 m | Suitable for short rack or fixture connections. |
| A025CFR-025CFR-5A100 | Micro-D25 female to female | 1.0 m | Common equipment-to-interface length. |
| A025CFR-025CFR-5A200 | Micro-D25 female to female | 2.0 m | Useful when equipment is separated across a rack or test bench. |
Length selection: Choose enough cable to avoid pulling on the Micro-D screwlocks, but avoid unnecessary excess cable inside dense test racks. Custom lengths can be produced when the standard 0.5 m, 1 m or 2 m categories do not fit the installation.
PCM-S-0790: Micro-D25 Female to DB25 Cable
PCM-S-0790 converts the physical interface from a compact 25-pin Micro-D female connector to a standard 25-pin D-Sub connector. It is intended for systems where the Pickering-side interface uses Micro-D25 while the external test fixture, breakout board or legacy device uses DB25.
Typical Applications
- Pickering LXI DIO/Trigger to DB25 breakout board
- Connection to existing DB25 test fixtures
- Legacy D-Sub interface integration
- Rack-mounted test-system adapter wiring
- Micro-D density conversion without active electronics
Passive adapter only: This cable changes the connector format. It does not convert protocol, voltage level, logic function or signal type.
Corresponding Pickering Part Number
| Pickering P/N | Official Configuration | Nominal Length | Replacement Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| A025CFR-025DMR-5A180 | 25-pin Micro-D female to 25-pin D-Type male | 1.8 m | Confirm DB25 gender, 1-to-1 pin mapping, screen termination, 2-56 Micro-D screwlocks and 4-40 D-Sub hardware. |
Connector-gender clarification: Micro-D gender is determined by the electrical contacts, not by whether the plastic nose appears to project outward. A Micro-D female cable connector can visually resemble a conventional plug while still using female socket contacts.
Which Pickering LXI DIO/Trigger Cable Should You Choose?
| Connection Requirement | Recommended PCM Cable | Relevant Pickering P/N |
|---|---|---|
| Connect to a terminal block, PCB or custom fixture | PCM-S-0663 | A025CFR-C-5A050 / 100 / 200 or A025CFR-T-5A050 / 100 / 200 |
| Connect two compatible Micro-D25 interfaces | PCM-S-0786 | A025CFR-025CFR-5A050 / 100 / 200 |
| Connect a Micro-D25 port to a standard DB25 fixture | PCM-S-0790 | A025CFR-025DMR-5A180 |
| Use with the LXI Wired Trigger Bus | Do not select these general DIO/Trigger cables without further verification | A dedicated shielded twisted-pair solution is required. |
Compatibility and Ordering Checklist
Provide the original Pickering part number whenever possible. If no original part number is available, send the equipment model, connector photographs, pinout and required length.
Electrical Information
- Pin-to-pin wiring table
- Operating voltage and maximum current
- Digital I/O and trigger assignments
- Unused or reserved contacts
- Requirement for twisted pairs
Mechanical Information
- Micro-D and DB25 connector gender
- Rear cable exit and overmold dimensions
- 2-56 and 4-40 screwlock requirements
- Required finished length and tolerance
- Cabinet bend and clearance limits
Cable Construction
- Conductor gauge and cable diameter
- Overall screening and screen termination
- Cut, stripped, tinned or labeled wire ends
- Jacket material and flexibility
- Continuity and insulation test requirements
Why this matters: Pickering's reference cable documentation specifies 26AWG shielded construction for these cable families, while an alternative product may use another wire gauge or cable construction. The connector and pinout may still be compatible, but allowable current, voltage drop, flexibility and shielding performance must be evaluated for the actual application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cable replaces Pickering A025CFR-C-5A100?
PCM-S-0663 is the corresponding Micro-D25 female-to-cut-end configuration. Before replacement, confirm the 1 m length, conductor labeling, pinout, shielding and screen termination.
What is the difference between A025CFR-C and A025CFR-T?
The C version uses simple cut wire ends. The T version uses prepared tinned wire ends and may include a separate screen pigtail arrangement.
Which cable corresponds to Pickering A025CFR-025CFR-5A200?
PCM-S-0786 is the relevant female-to-female configuration. Specify a 2 m finished length and confirm straight-through wiring and screen continuity.
What cable corresponds to A025CFR-025DMR-5A180?
PCM-S-0790 is the corresponding Micro-D25-to-DB25 cable structure. The Pickering reference uses a 25-pin Micro-D female connector, a 25-pin D-Type male connector and an approximately 1.8 m cable.
Can these cables be used for the LXI Wired Trigger Bus?
Not as a general assumption. Pickering states that the listed DIO/Trigger cable assemblies do not contain shielded twisted-pair wiring and are therefore unsuitable for the LXI Wired Trigger Bus.
Can Premier Cable customize the assembly?
Yes. Available options can include cable length, connector combination, conductor gauge, pinout, shielding, cut or tinned wire ends, labels and customer-specified testing.
Need a Pickering LXI DIO/Trigger Micro-D25 Cable?
Send the Pickering part number, equipment model, required cable length, pinout and quantity. If the original cable number is unavailable, provide clear connector photographs, a wiring table or an original sample.
Premier Cable supplies Micro-D25 pigtail, female-to-female and Micro-D25-to-DB25 cable assemblies for LXI DIO/Trigger, automatic test equipment and custom test-fixture applications.
