D-Shaped, Centronics Cables

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
AK426-3 ASSMANN WSW Components	CABLE CENTRONICS MALE-MALE 3M	0
4926-0103 3M	CABLE ASSY MDR 26POS M-M 3.0M	0
M7LLK-3605K 3M	IDC CABLE - MDH36K/MC36F/MDH36K	0
1W226-TZLB-100-0LC 3M	26POS ML FML MINI D RIB CBL ASY	5
M7RXK-2410K 3M	IDC CABLE - MDK24K/MC26F/X	0
M7RRK-3606J 3M	IDC CABLE - MDK36K/MC37G/MDK36K	0
33602121500107 HARTING	HAR-MIK 68P MA DOUBLE END CALBE	0
M7KXK-5006J 3M	IDC CABLE - MDG50K/MC50G/X	0
1MF26-L586-00C-500 3M	CABLE ASSY R/A MDR-STRGT SDR 5M	0
1SF26-L120-00C-100 (RC) 3M	26 POS SHRNK DLTA RIB CBL ASSY 1	12
M7QXK-3606J 3M	IDC CABLE - MDJ36K/MC37G/X	0
M7QQK-3610R 3M	IDC CABLE - MDJ36K/MC37M/MDJ36K	0
14B50-SZWB-200-0NC 3M	CABLE ASSY 50POS MDR-MDR PLUG 2M	0
14B26-SZLB-200-0LC 3M	CABLE ASSY HD26 SHLD BEIGE 2M	0
1SF26-L120-00C-200 3M	26 POS SHRNK DLTA RIB CBL ASSY 2	23
763061-02 NI	CABLE ASSY,TYPE X2,2M	26
M7TTK-5010K 3M	IDC CABLE - MDL50K/MC50F/MDL50K	0
1SD26-3120-00C-500 3M	CABLE POCL SDR SDR 500CM GRAY	0
M7LLK-3610R 3M	IDC CABLE - MDH36K/MC36M/MDH36K	0
14520-EZAB-A00-0EC 3M	MINI D RIBBON CBL ASSY 20POS 10M	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.