The MR-EKCBL5M-H is Mitsubishi Electric’s 5-metre heavy-duty flexible encoder cable for MR-J2S series servo amplifiers and HC-KFS, HC-MFS, HC-SFS, and HC-RFS series servo motors — the standard encoder cable connecting MR-J2S amplifiers to their compatible J2S-era servo motors over a 5-metre distance, in heavy-duty flex construction suitable for moving axis energy chain installations in active MR-J2S-based servo systems. Atlantech Drives holds stock of the MR-EKCBL5M-H. Contact us for fast worldwide delivery and competitive pricing.
What Is the MR-EKCBL5M-H?
The MR-EKCBL5M-H is a Mitsubishi Electric servo encoder cable from the MR-EKCBL series, providing the encoder signal connection between MR-J2S series servo amplifiers (MR-J2S-A and MR-J2S-B variants at all power ratings) and their compatible J2S-era HC-series servo motors (HC-KFS, HC-MFS, HC-SFS, HC-RFS). The MR-EKCBL series is distinct from the MR-J3ENCBL series — the two cable families use different connector types on both the amplifier side and the motor side, reflecting the different encoder interface standards of the MR-J2S (J2S-era) and MR-J3/J4 (J3/J4-era) servo generations. The amplifier-side connector on the MR-EKCBL5M-H is a 15-pin D-Sub connector mating with the MR-J2S amplifier’s CN2 encoder port — physically distinct from the 20-pin MIL connector used by the MR-J3ENCBL series for MR-J3/J4 amplifiers. The motor-side connector is the J2S-era HC-series motor encoder connector — physically incompatible with the HG-SR/HG-RR motors’ J4-era encoder connectors. The 5-metre length covers mid-range motor-to-amplifier installation distances, and the heavy-duty «H» construction provides energy chain flex rating for moving axis applications. As a J2S-era accessory, the MR-EKCBL5M-H is a discontinued product available from aftermarket inventory — required for direct maintenance replacement in operational MR-J2S servo systems.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: MR-EKCBL5M-H
- Cable Length: 5 metres
- Amplifier-Side Connector: 15-pin D-Sub (MR-J2S CN2 encoder port)
- Motor-Side Connector: J2S-era HC-series motor encoder connector
- Construction: Heavy-duty flex (H) — rated for moving axis / energy chain installation
- Signal Type: J2S-era serial encoder (HC-series motor encoder protocol)
- Compatible Amplifiers: MR-J2S-A and MR-J2S-B series (all power ratings)
- Compatible Motors: HC-KFS, HC-MFS, HC-SFS, HC-RFS series (J2S-era motors)
- Shielding: Overall braid shield
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to 70°C
- Series: MR-EKCBL (J2S era — distinct from MR-J3ENCBL used for J3/J4)
Compatibility & System Integration
The MR-EKCBL5M-H is exclusively compatible with MR-J2S series amplifiers and J2S-era HC-series servo motors — it cannot be used with MR-J3 or MR-J4 amplifiers (different amplifier-side connector type) or with HG-SR/HG-RR/HG-KR current-generation motors (different motor-side connector type). This exclusive J2S compatibility makes the MR-EKCBL5M-H a purely maintenance replacement cable for operational MR-J2S servo systems, with no new system design application. In a MR-J2S installation requiring the 5-metre reach, the MR-EKCBL5M-H connects the amplifier’s 15-pin D-Sub CN2 encoder port to the HC-series motor’s encoder connector — the D-Sub connector uses standard thumb screw locking, providing less positive locking feedback than the bayonet or latch connectors used on MR-J3ENCBL cables. Ensure the D-Sub locking screws are tightened with a suitable screwdriver at each installation and inspection — finger-tightened D-Sub connectors on servo encoder cables are a common source of intermittent encoder faults in older MR-J2S systems where maintenance personnel are unfamiliar with the D-Sub locking torque requirement. For MR-J2S installations where the MR-EKCBL5M-H must be routed alongside MR-J2S motor power cables, maintain a minimum 100 mm separation — the J2S amplifier’s IGBT switching frequency and motor cable EMI characteristics are similar to J3/J4 systems, and encoder cable separation from motor power cables is equally important for reliable J2S encoder signal transmission.
Replacement & Upgrade Notes
The MR-EKCBL5M-H is a discontinued product sourced from aftermarket inventory — as a J2S-era accessory cable, it is consumed by maintenance requirements as MR-J2S systems age and encoder cables reach end of flex life in moving axis applications. For facilities with operational MR-J2S systems using MR-EKCBL5M-H cables in energy chain moving axis applications, stock assessment is recommended — identify all installed MR-EKCBL5M-H cables by age and flex cycle count, and proactively replace cables approaching expected end of life before in-service failure causes production downtime. A failed encoder cable in a J2S system manifests as AL.16 (encoder error) and requires immediate replacement to restore servo operation — having a spare MR-EKCBL5M-H on the shelf reduces the downtime of an encoder cable failure from days (aftermarket sourcing lead time) to hours (cable replacement). For facilities planning migration from MR-J2S to MR-J4 servo systems, the encoder cable change from MR-EKCBL to MR-J3ENCBL is one of the mandatory hardware changes in the upgrade — MR-J4 amplifiers use a 20-pin MIL CN2 connector that is physically incompatible with the MR-EKCBL’s 15-pin D-Sub, and MR-J4-compatible HG-series motors use different motor-side encoder connectors than J2S-era HC motors. Plan the encoder cable replacement as part of the amplifier and motor changeover budget for any J2S-to-J4 migration project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the MR-EKCBL5M-H be used with an MR-J3-A or MR-J4-A amplifier?
A: No. The MR-EKCBL5M-H’s amplifier-side connector is a 15-pin D-Sub specific to the MR-J2S CN2 encoder port. MR-J3 and MR-J4 amplifiers use a 20-pin MIL circular CN2 connector that is physically incompatible with the MR-EKCBL’s D-Sub connector. MR-J3 and MR-J4 servo systems require the MR-J3ENCBL series cables with the 20-pin MIL amplifier connector.
Q: What is the maximum cable length available in the MR-EKCBL H-rated series, and what determines the system maximum?
A: The MR-EKCBL series is available in several standard lengths — 2 m (MR-EKCBL2M-H), 5 m (MR-EKCBL5M-H), 10 m (MR-EKCBL10M-H), and longer variants. The maximum encoder cable length for a MR-J2S system is specified in the MR-J2S servo amplifier instruction manual — typically 30 metres maximum for standard encoder signal. Beyond the specified maximum length, the J2S encoder signal integrity cannot be guaranteed, potentially causing AL.16 alarms particularly at higher motor speeds where the encoder serial data rate is highest.
Q: Does replacing a worn MR-EKCBL5M-H with a new unit require any servo parameter changes?
A: No. Replacing the MR-EKCBL5M-H with a new identical cable requires no servo parameter changes — the encoder cable is a passive signal conductor, and its replacement does not affect any amplifier parameter settings. After replacing the cable, verify that the motor’s absolute position is still valid (no AL.25 absolute position erased alarm) before resuming servo operation. If AL.25 appears after cable replacement, the encoder battery may have been disconnected during the replacement process — perform the homing cycle and re-establish the absolute reference position before returning to production.
Do you need more references from this brand? Explore our full catalog of Mitsubishi here: https://atlantechdrives.com/manufacturers/mitsubishi/
