M8 Series Industrial Connector

The M8 Series Industrial Connector is Reunion's comprehensive solution for factory automation interconnect needs, serving as the interface between sensors, actuators, and control systems across virtually every manufacturing sector. Certified to DIN EN 61076‑2‑104, this threaded circular connector combines a compact 8mm interface with IP67-rated environmental sealing, making it suitable for both clean indoor installations and harsh outdoor or washdown environments. The connector's all-metal construction provides mechanical durability and EMI shielding, while the threaded locking mechanism ensures vibration-resistant mating — a critical requirement on machinery with moving components. Available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-pin configurations, the M8 series supports a wide range of industrial protocols: discrete NPN/PNP sensor outputs, analog signals (4-20mA, 0-10V), and digital communication standards including IO-Link, AS-Interface, and PROFIBUS. Contacts are machined from brass with selective gold plating, maintaining contact resistance below 3mΩ across hundreds of mating cycles. Reunion manufactures the M8 series through a vertically integrated process, controlling every step from precision machining and injection molding through automated assembly and 100% electrical testing. Available in unshielded and 360° shielded versions, with panel-mount connectors offered in solder, PCB, or flying-lead terminations, the M8 series adapts to diverse equipment designs and installation requirements. For engineers designing factory automation systems, this connector provides a reliable, standardized, and cost-effective interconnect solution.

Technical Specifications

All materials are RoHS compliant. Every M8 connector undergoes 100% electrical testing (continuity, insulation resistance, dielectric withstand) before shipment. IP67 sealing is verified on a sample basis per batch using actual immersion testing.

Competitive Advantages — Why Choose Reunion's M8 Series

The Reunion advantage: You receive documented quality, full DIN compliance, and verified IP67 sealing at cost‑effective pricing — without the premium cost of European brands or the uncertainty of unbranded alternatives.

Certifications & Quality Assurance

Reunion's M8 production line operates under statistical process control (SPC). IP67 sealing is verified on every production batch through actual immersion testing (1m, 30 minutes). Test records, material certificates, and inspection reports are retained for each batch, supporting your quality audits and customer documentation requirements.

Customization & Manufacturing Process

Reunion's in-house manufacturing capability allows OEMs and system integrators to tailor the M8 series to their specific equipment designs, installation requirements, and production processes.

Customizable Options

- Cable Assemblies — Custom length (0.2m to 20m), PUR (oil/chemical-resistant) or PVC jacket, single-ended or double-ended, with or without overmolded strain relief.

- Connector Orientation — Straight or right-angle; panel-mount or cable-mount versions.

- Contact Loading — Populate 2 to 8 pins as required; unused positions can be left empty.

- Shielding — Unshielded or Shielded with grounding options.

- Termination Style — Solder, dip-solder, crimp, or flying-lead (stripped and tinned wires).

- Cable Marking — Custom printing or heat-shrink labels for circuit identification.

- Housing Color — Standard metal finish or black; other colors available for high-volume orders.

- Packaging — Anti-static bags, reels, or custom-labeled cartons for automated assembly lines.

Manufacturing Process Flow

Reunion operates a dedicated manufacturing cell for M8 products within its 4,000m² Shenzhen facility:

- Precision Machining — CNC automatic lathes produce metal shells and contacts to ±0.02mm tolerance.

- Selective Plating — Automated barrel plating applies gold over nickel underlayer.

- Injection Molding — PA66 insulators and housing components molded in clean-room controlled conditions.

- Cable Processing — Automated cutting, stripping, and tinning; in-house PUR/PVC cable extrusion.

- Shield Termination — For shielded versions, braid termination and grounding contacts installed.

- Assembly — Semi-automated lines with torque-controlled fastening and vision-inspected contact placement.

- Electrical Testing — 100% verification of continuity, insulation resistance (≥5000MΩ), and dielectric withstand.

- Environmental Sampling — Batch sampling for IP67, salt spray, and thermal cycle testing.

- Packaging — Anti-static vacuum sealing with desiccant; export-grade carton packing.

Packaging, Shipping & Logistics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Reunion's M8 series fully interchangeable with connectors from European brands like Lumberg or Hirschmann?

Yes — Reunion's M8 series is manufactured to the same DIN EN 61076‑2‑104 standard and with identical mechanical dimensions (shell size, thread, pin spacing, and contact positions) as the established European brands. This ensures mechanical and electrical interchangeability — you can plug Reunion connectors into existing Lumberg, Hirschmann, or Murrelektronik panels without modifications. We maintain a cross‑reference database covering major brands; send us your existing part number and we can confirm the equivalent Reunion version. However, because keying variations (orientation of the pin slot) can differ between product lines, we recommend verifying the key position for your specific application — our engineering team can confirm compatibility using your connector drawing or panel layout.

What is the maximum cable length supported by the M8 series for sensor and IO‑Link applications?

The maximum cable length depends on the signal type and configuration:

- Discrete NPN/PNP sensors — Up to 50m with 22AWG cable (voltage drop and sensor power requirements are the limiting factors).

- Analog signals (4‑20mA) — Up to 100m with shielded cable (signal integrity remains stable over longer distances).

- IO‑Link communication — Maximum 20m with shielded cable to maintain 230.4 kbps data integrity; longer distances may require repeaters.

For all applications, Reunion recommends:

- Using PUR cables for environments with oil, coolant, or washdown.

- Using shielded cables for IO‑Link and analog applications.

- Observing the recommended cable bend radius (5× cable diameter) at the connector entry to prevent signal degradation.

Our engineering team can assist with cable length recommendations based on your specific application and environment.

What torque should be applied to the M8 coupling nut, and how should the O‑ring seal be maintained?

To achieve and maintain IP67 sealing, Reunion recommends the following installation and maintenance practices:

- Mating torque — Hand‑tighten the coupling nut until the O‑ring contacts the panel surface, then apply additional torque of 0.4‑0.6Nm using a torque wrench. Do not exceed 0.8Nm.

- O‑ring inspection — The pre‑installed O‑ring should be inspected at each disconnect. Replace the O‑ring if deformation, cracking, or hardening is visible. O‑rings are available as service parts from Reunion.

- Cable bend radius — Maintain a minimum bend radius of 5× cable diameter at the connector entry to prevent stress on the cable seal.

- Cleaning — For washdown applications, clean with mild detergent and water. Avoid pressure washers directed at the mating interface.

- Replacement schedule — For demanding applications (daily washdown, chemical exposure), replace O‑rings annually. For standard factory‑floor environments, O‑ring replacement every 2‑3 years is typically sufficient.