IKS0374 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The IKS0374 encoder cable is manufactured by Bosch Rexroth Indramat and belongs to the IKS Encoder Cables series. It is designed to carry incremental or absolute position signals between a servo motor encoder and the drive controller in automated machinery. By combining signal pairs, power leads, and overall shielding within a single assembly, the cable simplifies routing inside cable tracks and helps maintain data integrity in electrically noisy environments. This layout also reduces the number of separate cables that must travel with a moving axis.

The cable has an outer diameter of 8.8 mm, which permits installation in narrow drag-chain channels while still accommodating the conductors, drain wire, and total copper shield. At the motor end, it terminates in an M23 12-Pin (Socket) connector with Pol Pattern E, so the pin positions match the standard Rexroth feedback layout. The controller end uses a D-Sub 15-Pin connector, and its backshell has a dual 2 x 45° outlet that reduces cable stress when cabinet clearance is limited. An insulation jacket colored RAL 2003 (Orange) improves visual identification on the machine, and the PUR jacket resists oils and repetitive flexing. Internal copper can operate continuously up to 80 °C, which supports elevated enclosure temperatures during normal machine operation.

With a flex life rated to 5 million cycles, the cable is suitable for continuous motion cable carriers. Minimum bend radii are 5 × D in static runs and 7.5 × D during movement, which helps limit conductor fatigue in tight installation spaces. Power for encoder electronics is supplied by two 2×1.0 mm² conductors, while four twisted control pairs of 0.25 mm² carry differential signals for incremental tracks and reference marks. A total shield of aluminum-polyester foil with a tinned drain wire helps block electromagnetic interference from nearby servo drives and motor power cables.