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The M8 Series Industrial Sensor Connector is Reunion's dedicated interconnect solution for the millions of sensors deployed across automotive, packaging, and material handling facilities worldwide. Certified to DIN EN 61076‑2‑104, this compact threaded connector delivers reliable signal transmission in environments where dust, moisture, and vibration are constant challenges. The connector's metal shell provides mechanical durability and EMI shielding, while the threaded locking mechanism ensures vibration-resistant mating — preventing accidental disconnections that could halt production lines. Available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-pin configurations, the M8 series supports discrete sensor outputs (NPN/PNP), analog signals (4-20mA, 0-10V), and increasingly common IO-Link communication protocols. Contacts are machined from brass with selective gold plating, maintaining contact resistance below 3mΩ across hundreds of mating cycles. Reunion manufactures the M8 series entirely in-house, applying the same rigorous process controls — precision machining, injection molding, automated assembly, and 100% electrical testing — that govern our entire industrial connector portfolio. Available in unshielded and shielded versions, with panel-mount connectors offered in solder, PCB, or flying-lead terminations, the M8 series adapts to diverse sensor housing designs and assembly methods. For engineers designing sensor networks for Industry 4.0 applications, this connector provides a reliable, cost-effective interface between sensing elements and control systems.
The M8 series delivers essential features that sensor manufacturers and automation engineers require.
| Feature | Benefit |
| DIN EN 61076‑2‑104 Compliant | Standardized interface ensures interoperability with M8-compliant sensors and cables from major manufacturers. |
| IP67 Environmental Sealing | Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion — reliable in washdown, outdoor, and high-particulate factory environments. |
| Threaded Locking Mechanism | Vibration-resistant mating prevents signal interruption from machinery movement — critical for continuous production. |
| 2 to 8-Pin Configurations | Supports discrete, analog, and IO-Link sensor connections — flexible for diverse sensor types. |
| Gold-Plated Contacts | Low contact resistance (≤3mΩ) and corrosion protection — essential for low-level analog signals. |
| Shielded and Unshielded Options | 360° shielding for EMI-sensitive applications (analog, IO-Link); unshielded for standard discrete signals. |
| Multiple Termination Styles | Solder, PCB, or flying-leads — adapts to different sensor assembly methods. |
| PUR Cable Option | Oil-resistant, chemical-resistant jacket withstands exposure to coolants and cleaning agents. |
| Pin Count | 2-pin | 3-pin | 4-pin | 5-pin | 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Current Rating | 4A | 4A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1.5A |
| Voltage Rating | 60V | 60V | 60V | 30V | 30V | 30V |
| Withstanding Voltage | 1500V | 1500V | 1500V | 1500V | 800V | 800V |
| Wire Gauge | 22AWG | 22AWG | 22AWG | 24AWG | 24AWG | 26AWG |
| Contact Resistance | ≤3mΩ | ≤3mΩ | ≤3mΩ | ≤3mΩ | ≤3mΩ | ≤3mΩ |
| Mating Cycles | ≥100 times | |||||
| Operating Temperature | -25°C ~ +85°C | |||||
| Protection Rating | IP67 (mated) | |||||
| Salt Mist Resistance | 48 hours | |||||
| Insulator Material | PA66 | |||||
| Contact Material | Brass with gold plating | |||||
| Shielding | Unshielded or Shielded | |||||
All materials are RoHS compliant. Every M8 connector undergoes 100% electrical testing (continuity, insulation resistance, dielectric withstand) before shipment.
The M8 Series Industrial Sensor Connector is deployed across industries where sensor reliability directly impacts production uptime.
- Proximity Sensors — Inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors for position detection.
- Photoelectric Sensors — Through-beam, retro-reflective, and diffuse sensors for object detection.
- Safety Systems — Light curtains, safety interlock switches, and emergency stop devices.
- Packaging & Conveyor Systems — Bottling lines, palletizers, and material handling equipment.
- Automotive Manufacturing — Paint shop sensors, weld cell detectors, and assembly line monitoring.
- Robotics — End-of-arm tooling sensors, gripper feedback, and collaborative robot touch sensors.
- Fieldbus Networks — IO-Link, AS-Interface, and PROFIBUS connections for smart sensors.
A Chinese robotics integrator was building collaborative robot (cobot) cells with interchangeable end-of-arm tooling — grippers, force sensors, and vision cameras. Each tool used M8 connectors for power and data, requiring high-cycle mating (tool changes multiple times per shift) and vibration resistance during operation. Reunion supplied the M8 series with 8-pin configurations, right-angle cable exits, and gold-plated contacts. Over 500 cobot cells have been deployed across Chinese electronics and automotive plants. After 18 months of operation, no connector failures have been reported, and the integrator credits the M8's robust threaded locking for preventing disconnections during high-speed robot movements.
Reunion's in-house manufacturing capability allows sensor OEMs to tailor the M8 series to their specific sensor housing designs and production requirements.
- Cable Assemblies — Custom length (0.2m to 20m), PUR 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 left empty.
- Termination Style — Solder, PCB, or flying-lead (stripped and tinned wires).
- Shielding — Unshielded or Shielded with grounding options.
- Cable Marking — Custom printing or heat-shrink labels for sensor identification.
- Color Options — Standard metal or black; other colors available for high-volume orders.
- 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 molded with precision cavity tools 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, 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.
While mechanically identical, M8 connectors for sensor applications often have specific considerations:
- Pin configuration — 3-pin is standard for NPN/PNP discrete sensors (power, output, ground). 4-pin is used for IO-Link, analog sensors, or sensors with two outputs. 5-pin+ configurations are used for multi-function sensors or bus connections.
- Shielding — Analog and IO-Link sensors require 360° shielding to maintain signal integrity; discrete sensors often use unshielded versions.
- Cable type — PUR is preferred for sensor cables exposed to oil, coolant, or washdown; PVC is used for dry indoor installations.
- Termination — Sensor manufacturers often prefer crimp or solder contacts for PCB integration, while system integrators use cable assemblies.
Reunion offers all these configurations as standard and can help you select the optimal version for your specific sensor type and installation environment.
Yes — the M8 series is fully compatible with IO-Link (IEC 61131-9) using the standard 4-pin configuration (pin 1: power, pin 3: ground, pin 4: IO-Link data). For IO-Link applications, Reunion recommends:
- Shielded version — Required for reliable communication at 230.4 kbps, especially with cable runs >10m.
- Gold plating — Maintains low contact resistance for high-speed digital signals.
- PUR cable — Provides the flexibility and durability needed for frequent sensor repositioning.
- Cable length — Maximum recommended cable length for IO-Link is 20m (shorter for unshielded).
We have qualified our M8 connectors for IO-Link communication and can provide signal integrity test reports upon request.
Reunion recommends the following best practices for M8 sensor connectors:
- Mating torque — Hand-tighten the coupling nut until the O-ring contacts the panel surface, then apply additional torque of 0.4-0.6Nm. Do not exceed 0.8Nm.
- Cable bend radius — Maintain a minimum bend radius of 5× cable diameter at the connector entry to prevent stress on the cable seal.
- Cable routing — For sensor cables subject to continuous flexing (moving machinery), use PUR cables and install with adequate strain relief.
- O-ring inspection — Replace the O-ring if deformation, cracking, or hardening is visible. O-rings are available as service parts.
- Cleaning — For washdown applications, clean with mild detergent and water. Avoid pressure washers directed at the mating interface.
- Replacement schedule — Replace O-rings annually for demanding washdown applications; every 2-3 years for standard factory environments.
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