AS-2P-70M-B Industrial PLC Communication Cable

The AS-2P-70M-B is a 70-meter industrial communication cable designed for connecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives, sensors, and other automation devices. This cable is engineered for reliable data transmission in electrically noisy factory environments, featuring shielded twisted pair construction and robust PVC jacket.

Cable Specifications

The AS-2P-70M-B comprises 2 twisted pairs (2P) of 24 AWG (7x0.2 mm) stranded tinned copper conductors. Each pair is individually shielded with aluminum foil and a drain wire, and the overall cable has an additional braid shield (85% coverage) for maximum noise immunity. The conductor insulation is polyethylene (PE), and the outer jacket is oil-resistant PVC (gray). Characteristic impedance is 120 ohms typical, suitable for RS485 and RS422 protocols. Operating temperature range is -20°C to +80°C. The cable is rated for 300V RMS.

Key Features

• Length: 70 meters (one piece)

• 2 twisted pairs (24 AWG stranded tinned copper)

• Individual foil shield per pair + overall braid shield (85%)

• Drain wire for easy grounding

• 120 ohms characteristic impedance (RS485 compliant)

• Oil-resistant PVC jacket (gray)

• Flame retardant: UL VW-1, IEC 60332-1-2

• Temperature range: -20°C to +80°C

Construction Details

Conductor: Tinned copper, 24 AWG (7/0.2 mm stranded). Insulation: Solid polyethylene, 1.2 mm outer diameter. Twisting: Two pairs with different lay lengths for crosstalk reduction. Individual shielding: Aluminum/polyester tape with 0.3 mm tinned copper drain wire (20 AWG). Inner jacket: PVC. Overall shielding: Tinned copper braid, 85% coverage. Outer jacket: PVC, gray, diameter approximately 7.2 mm (±0.2 mm). Bending radius: 10x cable diameter (fixed installation) or 15x (flexing).

Electrical Properties

Conductor resistance: ≤ 88 Ω/km (at 20°C). Insulation resistance: > 5 GΩ·km. Characteristic impedance: 120 Ω ± 10% at 1 MHz. Capacitance (conductor to conductor): 55 pF/m maximum. Capacitance (conductor to shield): 85 pF/m. Propagation delay: 5.3 ns/m. Working voltage: 300V RMS. Test voltage: 1500V (conductor to shield) for 1 minute. Attenuation: < 1.5 dB per 100 m at 1 MHz.

Applications

The AS-2P-70M-B is ideal for connecting PLCs (e.g., Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen-Bradley, Omron, B&R) using RS485 or RS422 communication. Common protocols include PROFIBUS DP (low-speed, up to 1.5 Mbps), Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, and proprietary PLC links. The 70-meter length supports distributed installations where controllers and field devices are separated by moderate distances. Typical uses: connecting remote I/O racks, linking operator panels to PLCs, interfacing VFDs for speed control, and networking sensors with RS485 output.

Installation Guidelines

For best noise immunity, ground the overall braid shield at one end only (preferably the controller end) using the drain wire or a grounding clamp. Do not ground both ends to avoid ground loops. Maintain a separation of at least 200 mm from power cables. For outdoor or wet locations, additional conduit protection is recommended. The cable can be terminated using standard RS485 connectors (DB9, terminal blocks, or M12). The individual conductors are color-coded: Pair 1: blue/white, white/blue; Pair 2: orange/white, white/orange.

Comparison with Standard RS485 Cable

Unlike generic RS485 cables, the AS-2P-70M-B features dual shielding (foil + braid) which provides superior EMI/RFI rejection in variable frequency drive environments. The stranded conductor construction resists breakage during routing and vibration. The oil-resistant jacket makes it suitable for machine tool and automotive plant installations where coolant or lubricant exposure is possible.

Standards Compliance

This cable complies with EIA/TIA-485-A, UL 2464, and RoHS 2011/65/EU. It is also suitable for use in NFPA 79 (industrial machinery) installations. The cable is not UL listed for plenum use; for plenum spaces, use appropriate rated cable.

Conclusion

The AS-2P-70M-B industrial PLC communication cable provides reliable, noise-immune data transmission over 70 meters for distributed automation systems. Its robust shielded construction, oil-resistant jacket, and compliance with RS485 standards make it a dependable choice for factory and machine installations.