The MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H is Mitsubishi Electric’s 2-metre heavy-duty flexible encoder cable with A1-type motor-side connector from the MR-J4ENCBL series — the current-generation encoder cable family designed specifically for MR-J4 series servo amplifiers and HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR series servo motors, providing the 22-bit absolute encoder signal connection between amplifier and motor in moving axis energy chain installations requiring a 2-metre cable reach. In stock at Atlantech Drives. Request your quote within 24-48 hours with worldwide shipping and 12-month warranty.
What Is the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H?
The MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H is a Mitsubishi Electric servo encoder cable from the MR-J4ENCBL series — the successor cable family to the MR-J3ENCBL series, designed specifically for MR-J4 series amplifiers while maintaining backward compatibility with MR-J3 series amplifiers. The key question for engineers specifying encoder cables for MR-J4 systems is the distinction between MR-J3ENCBL and MR-J4ENCBL: the MR-J4ENCBL series uses an updated amplifier-side connector specification compared to the MR-J3ENCBL series — verify the specific MR-J4 amplifier model’s CN2 connector type in the amplifier instruction manual before selecting between the MR-J3ENCBL and MR-J4ENCBL series, as some MR-J4 amplifier models use the MR-J4ENCBL connector while others retain MR-J3ENCBL compatibility. The A1-type motor-side connector is compatible with HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR series motors in the small-to-medium frame range using the standard circular A1 encoder connector. The 2-metre length covers compact servo axis installations with short motor-to-amplifier distances, and the heavy-duty «H» construction provides the energy chain flex rating required for moving axis cable track installations. Atlantech Drives holds stock of the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H. Contact us for fast worldwide delivery and competitive pricing.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: MR-J4ENCBL2M-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-J4ENCBL series CN2 connector (verify compatibility with specific amplifier model)
- Construction: Heavy-duty flex (H) — rated for moving axis / energy chain installation
- Signal Type: Serial encoder (22-bit absolute, MR-J4 proprietary protocol)
- Compatible Amplifiers: MR-J4-A and MR-J4-B series (verify CN2 connector type per amplifier model)
- Compatible Motors: HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, HG-MR series with A1 encoder connector
- Shielding: Individual pair shielding + overall braid shield
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to 70°C
- Minimum Bend Radius: Per Mitsubishi MR-J4ENCBL flex cable specification
Series Comparison & Selection Guide
The MR-J4ENCBL series and the MR-J3ENCBL series serve the same function — connecting MR-J4 servo amplifiers to HG-series servo motors for 22-bit encoder signal transmission — but differ in the amplifier-side connector specification. The MR-J3ENCBL series (for example MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H) was the original encoder cable for MR-J3 amplifiers and was carried forward as the initial cable family for early MR-J4 amplifier models. The MR-J4ENCBL series represents the updated encoder cable family introduced alongside later MR-J4 amplifier variants with an updated CN2 connector interface. The motor-side A1 and B1 connector types are common between both cable series — both MR-J3ENCBL-A1-H and MR-J4ENCBL-A1-H cables use the same A1 motor-side connector compatible with HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR motors. The critical selection factor is the amplifier-side connector — check the specific MR-J4 amplifier model’s instruction manual to confirm whether its CN2 encoder port requires the MR-J3ENCBL or MR-J4ENCBL amplifier connector. Using the incorrect cable series on the amplifier side results in a physically incompatible connection — the connector cannot be mated, preventing any risk of incorrect electrical connection. When in doubt, provide the amplifier model number to Atlantech Drives for confirmation of the correct cable series before ordering.
Installation Advice
When installing the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H in a compact servo panel where the motor is within 2 metres of the amplifier, plan the cable routing to maintain the minimum bend radius at all bends in the cable path — a 2-metre cable installed in a tight cabinet with multiple 90° bends can easily violate the minimum bend radius at multiple points, reducing flex life in moving axis applications and risking signal integrity issues at static sharp bends in fixed installations. Use cable ties with rounded edges (not metal zip ties) to secure the encoder cable in fixed routing sections, placing cable ties at 200–300 mm intervals to prevent cable sag without creating localised stress points. At the A1 motor-side connector, engage the locking ring fully until the positive detent click is felt — the A1 connector’s locking ring provides tactile confirmation of full engagement that is absent in D-Sub connectors, and a partially rotated locking ring can appear visually engaged while leaving the connector partially unmated. For installations where the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H routes through an energy chain with the motor power cable in the same chain, use a cable divider partition within the chain to separate the encoder cable from the power cable — maintaining physical separation within the chain prevents power cable EMI coupling into the 22-bit encoder signal at the close proximity present inside an energy chain without partitioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the practical difference between the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H and the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H for an engineer specifying cables for a new MR-J4-100B SSCNET III/H system?
A: The difference is the amplifier-side connector — the MR-J4ENCBL series uses the updated CN2 connector for later MR-J4 amplifier models, while the MR-J3ENCBL series uses the earlier CN2 connector format. For any specific MR-J4 amplifier model, only one cable series will physically mate to the CN2 port — check the amplifier’s instruction manual connector diagram or contact Atlantech Drives with the amplifier model number to confirm the correct cable series before ordering.
Q: Can the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H be used with MR-J3 series amplifiers for a retrofit application?
A: Compatibility between the MR-J4ENCBL amplifier-side connector and MR-J3 amplifier CN2 ports depends on whether Mitsubishi updated the CN2 connector between the J3 and J4 amplifier generations — if the connector is the same (some MR-J4 models use the same CN2 connector as MR-J3), the cable is physically compatible; if the connector was updated, it will not mate. Verify against the specific amplifier model’s hardware documentation rather than assuming cross-generation compatibility.
Q: Is the A1 motor-side connector on the MR-J4ENCBL2M-A1-H the same physical connector as the A1 connector on the MR-J3ENCBL2M-A1-H?
A: Yes. The A1 motor-side connector is standardised across both the MR-J3ENCBL and MR-J4ENCBL cable series — the motor-side interface for HG-SR, HG-RR, HG-KR, and HG-MR motors using the A1 connector is unchanged between cable families. The difference between the two cable families is exclusively on the amplifier side.
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