RKG0074 by Bosch Rexroth Indramat

The RKG0074 cable is an encoder lead manufactured by Bosch Rexroth Indramat for the RKG Encoder Cables series. It is intended to connect motor-mounted feedback devices to drive controllers, supplying encoder power and returning position data in automated production cells. On one end, the assembly carries an M23 17-pin socket (INS0379) that mates directly with Indramat motors, while the opposite end terminates in a D-sub 15-pin plug (INS0760) for cabinet-side drives; this plug-to-socket format eliminates field crimping and shortens service time.

The mechanical life of the assembly is rated for 5,000,000 bending cycles, so it can reside in continuously moving drag chains without early conductor breakage. When the cable is in motion, it must never be bent tighter than a 7.5 × D radius, preserving the shield geometry and signal integrity; in fixed routing, the minimum static loop can be reduced to 5 × D. An outer jacket made of PUR resists oils and cutting fluids, and its Orange (RAL 2003) color improves visibility during maintenance. The core bundle is drawn from INK0280 bulk cable, which integrates individually shielded twisted pairs for encoder channels and separate supply conductors, keeping crosstalk low even at high encoder frequencies.

The internal conductors are split into signal and power groups. Differential encoder lines use a cross-section of 0.25 mm², reducing capacitance while remaining large enough for standard IDC contacts. Power for the sensor electronics travels on larger cores sized at 1.0 mm² to minimize voltage drop over long runs. At 20 °C, the control wires exhibit a resistance of 83.0 ?/km, whereas the supply cores measure only 19.3 ?/km; this resistance difference ensures that most joule heating occurs in the thinner signal paths without affecting the regulated supply.