One Cable for Power and Data

One cable handles power and data.

Binder’s B23 connector is making waves in industrial automation as a hybrid link that carries both power and shielded data in a single, compact unit. The design merges a power supply with data transmission capabilities and supports Ethernet transmission rates up to 100 Mbit/s, a clear signal that the market is moving toward tighter, less cluttered wiring. The B23 is positioned for One Cable Automation concepts, a framework that promises lower cabling effort and higher data throughput in factory floors and control cabinets alike.

In practical terms, the B23 aims to simplify the physical layer of automation. By replacing separate power and communication runs with a single harness, engineers can trim the complexity of field installation and reduce the amount of cabling that must be routed, terminated, and maintained. Deployment data shows interest from manufacturers who want to accelerate commissioning and improve fault isolation by localizing power delivery and data communication through one durable connector. That translates into a potential ROI in labor savings and faster time to first production, a tempting proposition for plant managers and CFOs balancing capex with ongoing operating costs.

From an integration standpoint, adopting the B23 means aligning with Ethernet-enabled control ecosystems that can operate at up to 100 Mbit/s. Control panels, field devices, and IO blocks must be compatible with the mating interface, and the harnessing must preserve the integrity of both power delivery and shielded data paths. The one-cable concept also elevates requirements for EMI protection, proper grounding, and robust connector-to-cable assemblies. In short, the move toward a single, hybrid interface shifts some of the integration burden from the device side to the cabling and enclosure design, where shielding, strain relief, and environmental sealing become critical.

That shift comes with tradeoffs. The 100 Mbit/s throughput ceiling, while adequate for many modern automation tasks, sets a boundary for data-intensive applications that might otherwise push higher speeds. If performance requirements scale, sites may need to stage upgrades to higher-bandwidth solutions or layered architectures that preserve the single-cable approach for power while routing heavier data through parallel paths. There is also a single point of failure consideration: a fault in the B23 harness can disrupt both power and data, so designers will need to incorporate testing, redundancy where feasible, and clear failure-modes analysis into commissioning plans. Practical installation still requires careful routing and strain-relief planning to prevent wear that could compromise either power or data transmission.

Skilled trades play a nuanced role here. Automation deployments like the B23 connector can augment linemen, inspectors, and technicians by reducing the number of discrete cabling runs they must install and maintain. Electricians and controls technicians can devote more time to commissioning, validation, and software configuration rather than joining multiple harnesses and managing separate power and data cables. Yet the approach doesn’t eliminate craft labor; it redefines it. Expect future field crews to emphasize harness design, shielding integrity, and EMI testing as the new frontline skills for these hybrid interfaces.

Looking ahead, the real test will be how the B23 and similar One Cable Automation concepts perform in diverse environments and with evolving control architectures. The market will watch for long-term reliability data, compatibility with higher-speed industrial Ethernet standards, and guidelines that help plants quantify the ROI of cutting cabling complexity without compromising system resilience. If deployment data holds true, manufacturers may find that the payoff is not just a cleaner paint shop or cleaner panel, but faster cycles from install to production, with a measurable, line-side impact on total cost of ownership.