D-Shaped, Centronics Cables

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	14B26-WZPB-300-0RC 3M	MDR CAMERA CABLE 26POS M-M 3M	0
	49642 C62S2 Belden	GPIB UNSHD CONNECTOR	0
	M7QUK-5010J 3M	IDC CABLE - MDJ50K/MC50G/MDN50K	0
	14B26-SZLB-600-0LC 3M	CABLE ASSY MDR 26POS M-M 6.0M	0
	4926-0124 3M	CABLE ASSY MDR 26POS M-M 2FT	0
	80-0012-6198-3 3M	ASSY OM-93201G-100-N4-192.0-Y RC	0
	M7QUK-5005K 3M	IDC CABLE - MDJ50K/MC50F/MDN50K	0
	14520-EZDB-300-0EC 3M	CABLE ASSY MDR 20-26POS M-M 3.0M	0
	M7UUK-3606R 3M	IDC CABLE - MDN36K/MC37M/MDN36K	0
	14B26-SZ3B-150-04C 3M	MDR CAMERA CABLE 26POS M-M	0
	M7QUK-1410J 3M	IDC CABLE - MDJ14K/MC14G/MDN14K	0
	TX20A-26P-18INCH-CABLE JAE Electronics	CONN RCPT 1.27MM 26POS R/A	0

D-Shaped, Centronics Cables

1. Overview

D-Shaped and Centronics cables are specialized interconnect solutions designed for data transfer and power delivery in legacy and industrial systems. D-Shaped cables refer to connectors with a D-shaped metal shell (e.g., DE-9, DB-25), ensuring proper orientation. Centronics cables, originally developed for parallel printer interfaces, use a 36-pin configuration with a distinctive plastic housing. These cables remain critical in industrial automation, medical equipment, and retro computing due to their reliability in harsh environments and compatibility with established systems.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functionality	Application Example
Centronics 36-pin	High-speed parallel data transfer	Industrial printers, CNC machines
D-Sub DE-9	Serial communication (RS-232)	Industrial control systems
D-Sub DB-25	Parallel ports, legacy PC interfaces	Older computer peripherals
HD D-Sub 15-pin	High-density video signal transmission	VGA monitors

3. Structure and Components

A typical D-Shaped/Centronics cable assembly includes:

Conductors: Stranded copper wires (24-28 AWG) for flexibility
Insulation: PVC or TPE materials with 300V rating
Shielding: Foil + braided mesh for EMI protection
Connectors: Zinc alloy D-shaped shell with nickel/gold-plated contacts
Strain Relief: Molded boots to prevent cable damage

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value	Importance
Conductor Resistance	50	Ensures signal integrity
Insulation Resistance	100M	Prevents electrical leakage
Shielding Effectiveness	60dB @ 100MHz	Reduces electromagnetic interference
Temperature Range	-20 C to +70 C	Guarantees performance in industrial environments
Mating Cycles	500	Ensures long-term durability

5. Application Fields

Industrial automation (PLC connections)
Medical imaging equipment (legacy interfaces)
Aerospace (avionics systems)
Retro computing (vintage computer peripherals)
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
Amphenol	D38999 Series (military-grade D-Sub)
TE Connectivity	Centronics 36-pin industrial cable
Molex	9850 Series D-Sub assemblies
Belkin	Pro Series DB-25 printer cable

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Match pin configuration to host interface (e.g., 36-pin Centronics vs. DE-9)
Evaluate environmental factors (temperature, vibration)
Choose shielding level based on EMI exposure
Verify cable length ( 3m for Centronics to maintain signal quality)
Check for industry certifications (UL, CE)

Case Study: A factory automation system used TE Connectivity's shielded Centronics 36-pin cables to connect laser markers to PLCs, achieving 0.1mm positioning accuracy in high-vibration environments.

8. Industry Trends

While USB and wireless technologies replace legacy interfaces in consumer markets, D-Shaped and Centronics cables remain dominant in industrial sectors due to:

Long equipment lifecycles (10+ years in manufacturing)
Cost-effective upgrades of existing systems
Emerging hybrid solutions (e.g., USB-to-D-Sub adapters)
Growing demand for ruggedized connectors in IoT edge devices

Market forecasts predict 2.1% CAGR through 2030, driven by industrial automation and aerospace maintenance needs.