The MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H is Mitsubishi Electric’s 2-metre heavy-duty flexible encoder cable with A1-type motor-side connector for connecting MR-J4 and MR-J3 series servo amplifiers to HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR series servo motors — the standard 2-metre encoder cable for servo axis applications where the motor is installed within 2 metres of the servo amplifier and the cable routing requires a heavy-duty flex-rated construction suitable for moving axis installations with repeated cable flexing. In stock at Atlantech Drives. Request your quote within 24-48 hours with worldwide shipping and 12-month warranty.
What Is the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H?
The MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H is a Mitsubishi Electric servo encoder cable from the MR-J3ENCBL series, providing the electrical connection between the servo amplifier’s CN2 encoder port and the servo motor’s encoder connector for 22-bit absolute position feedback signal transmission. The cable designation encodes the key specifications: «MR-J3ENCBL» identifies the encoder cable family compatible with MR-J3 and MR-J4 series amplifiers; «2M» denotes the 2-metre overall cable length; «A1» designates the A1-type motor-side connector (compatible with HG-SR, HG-RR, and HG-KR series motors with the standard circular encoder connector); and «H» indicates the heavy-duty flex construction with an outer jacket and internal conductor configuration rated for repeated bending in moving axis cable track (energy chain) installations. The amplifier-side connector is the standard MR-J3/J4 series CN2 encoder connector — a 20-pin MIL-specification circular connector that mates directly with the CN2 port on all MR-J4-A, MR-J4-B, MR-J3-A, and MR-J3-B series servo amplifiers. The heavy-duty «H» suffix construction uses individually shielded pairs with stranded conductors having a minimum bend radius and rated flex cycle life appropriate for installation in cable energy chains (drag chains) on moving machine axes, as opposed to the standard (non-H) cable which is rated for fixed installation only.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H
- Cable Length: 2 metres
- Motor-Side Connector: A1-type (HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, HG-MR series circular encoder connector)
- Amplifier-Side Connector: MR-J3/J4 CN2 20-pin MIL circular connector
- Construction: Heavy-duty flex (H) — rated for moving axis / energy chain installation
- Signal Type: Serial encoder (22-bit absolute, MR-J4/J3 proprietary protocol)
- Compatible Amplifiers: MR-J4-A, MR-J4-B, MR-J3-A, MR-J3-B series (all power ratings)
- Compatible Motors: HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, HG-MR series (all power ratings with A1 connector)
- Shielding: Individual pair shielding + overall braid shield
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to 70°C
- Minimum Bend Radius: Per Mitsubishi flex cable specification (see hardware manual)
Compatibility & System Integration
The MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H is compatible with the complete MR-J4 and MR-J3 series servo amplifier range — from the smallest MR-J4-10A/B (100 W) to the largest MR-J4-22KA/B (22 kW) — as the encoder cable interface is standardised across all power classes in both series. On the motor side, the A1-type connector is compatible with HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR series motors across all power ratings that use the standard circular A1 encoder connector — verify the specific motor model’s encoder connector type in the HG-series hardware manual before ordering, as some motor variants use the B1-type connector (requiring the MR-J3ENCBL2M-B1-H) instead. The 2-metre cable length is appropriate for servo panel installations where the amplifier is in a control panel and the motor is on the machine structure within 2 metres of the panel — a typical configuration for small machine tools, assembly stations, and compact multi-axis panels. For longer motor-to-amplifier distances, the MR-J3ENCBL5M-A1-H (5 metres) or longer variants should be specified. The MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H’s 22-bit encoder signal transmission maintains signal integrity at 2 metres without any additional termination or signal conditioning — the cable’s individual pair shielding and overall braid shield reject electromagnetic interference from adjacent motor power cables carrying the IGBT-switched motor voltage waveforms.
Installation Advice
When installing the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H in a moving axis application (energy chain, cable track, or festoon), verify that the cable routing maintains the minimum bend radius specified in the Mitsubishi flex cable technical data at all positions throughout the axis travel range — bending below the minimum radius during axis motion causes premature conductor fatigue failure at the bend point, manifesting as intermittent AL.16 encoder errors that are difficult to diagnose without a cable wiggle test during servo operation. Route the encoder cable in a separate compartment of the energy chain from the motor power cable (U, V, W phases) — most energy chains have dividing partitions for this purpose, and encoder cable separation from motor power cable is essential to prevent the IGBT switching voltage transients on the motor cable from coupling into the 22-bit encoder signal. At 2 metres cable length, the connector at each end should be fully inserted and the locking ring tightened to the specified torque — partially mated connectors on MR-J3ENCBL cables bypass the IP65 sealing of the connector interface and allow moisture ingress to the connector pins, causing gradual contact corrosion that manifests as intermittent encoder errors months after installation. Secure the cable at the entry point to each connector with a cable clamp or strain relief — preventing the cable weight and motion forces from applying mechanical load to the connector body rather than the cable jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H and the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-L (without the H suffix)?
A: The «H» suffix denotes heavy-duty flex construction rated for moving axis (energy chain) installation with repeated bending cycles. The «L» suffix (or no H suffix) denotes standard construction rated for fixed installation only — the standard cable has a simpler outer jacket and conductor configuration that is not rated for repeated flexing in energy chain applications. Using an «L» (standard) cable in an energy chain application will cause premature conductor fatigue failure, manifesting as intermittent encoder errors. Always specify the «H» variant for moving axis applications.
Q: Can the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H be used with legacy MR-J2S series amplifiers?
A: No. The MR-J3ENCBL series is designed for MR-J3 and MR-J4 series amplifiers with the 20-pin MIL CN2 encoder connector. MR-J2S series amplifiers use a different 15-pin D-Sub encoder connector that is physically incompatible with the MR-J3ENCBL amplifier-side connector. MR-J2S systems require the legacy MR-ENCBL series cables specific to the J2S encoder interface.
Q: Is the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H suitable for outdoor installation or exposure to cutting fluid in machine tool environments?
A: The MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H outer jacket provides protection against incidental fluid exposure in typical machine tool environments — cutting fluid splash and coolant mist are within the cable’s rated environmental resistance. For submersion, continuous coolant flow, or outdoor UV exposure, additional cable conduit or trunking protection is recommended. Verify the specific cable jacket material’s chemical resistance against the cutting fluids used in the application if unusual coolant formulations (high-concentration sulphur-based or chlorinated cutting fluids) are present.
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