A CC-Link cable is a dedicated industrial communication cable used to connect PLC, remote I/O, drives, HMI, sensors, and other automation devices on a CC-Link network. In Mitsubishi automation systems, the cable is commonly used for reliable, deterministic fieldbus communication, helping machines exchange control data quickly while resisting electrical noise in factory environments.
Video Guide: This overview explains the CC-Link network concept before you choose the correct communication cable for a Mitsubishi-based installation.
What is CC-Link cable Mitsubishi?
A CC-Link cable Mitsubishi system uses a dedicated shielded communication cable to connect Mitsubishi PLCs and compatible field devices on a CC-Link fieldbus. Unlike ordinary signal wire, it is built for controlled impedance, noise resistance, and stable data transmission across industrial environments where motors, inverters, and electrical interference are common.
Video Guide: This practical cable-making video helps show how CC-Link wiring is prepared for real industrial connections.
Cable Role in Mitsubishi Automation
CC-Link was originally developed by Mitsubishi Electric and is now promoted globally by the CC-Link Partner Association. In a Mitsubishi control system, the CC-Link cable acts as the communication backbone between the master station, usually a PLC module, and multiple remote stations.
A proper cc link communication cable is not selected only by conductor count. It must meet the network’s electrical requirements so that data signals remain stable over distance.
当社の内部データと市場分析に基づく内訳は次のとおりです。
| アイテム | 一般的な要件 | なぜそれが重要なのか |
|---|---|---|
| ネットワークの種類 | CC-Link fieldbus | Supports cyclic industrial control data |
| Cable style | Shielded communication cable | Reduces electrical noise interference |
| Common terminals | DA, DB, DG, SLD/FG | Matches CC-Link device wiring points |
| インピーダンス | Typically around 110 ohms | Helps maintain signal integrity |
| 応用 | PLC, I/O, servo, inverter, HMI | Connects distributed automation devices |
cwcables プロのヒント: I always recommend confirming the exact Mitsubishi module manual before wiring, because the cable type, termination, and maximum distance can change depending on the CC-Link version and transmission speed.
How Does CC-Link cable Mitsubishi Work?
CC-Link cable Mitsubishi networks work by carrying differential communication signals between a master station and multiple slave stations. The cable links devices in a structured bus topology, while shielding and correct termination help prevent reflections, voltage noise, and data errors during high-speed industrial communication.
Video Guide: This industrial communications video gives useful context on how CC-Link exchanges control data between factory devices.
Communication Process and Signal Flow
In a typical Mitsubishi CC-Link installation, the PLC master module controls the communication cycle. Remote devices are assigned station numbers, and the master exchanges input and output data with each station at a defined network speed.
The cable supports this process by maintaining consistent electrical characteristics along the entire network.
A simplified communication flow looks like this:
- The Mitsubishi PLC master starts the CC-Link communication cycle.
- Each remote station is identified by its configured station number.
- Input data from sensors or remote I/O is sent back to the PLC.
- Output commands are sent from the PLC to actuators, drives, or other devices.
- Termination resistors at the network ends reduce signal reflections.
- The shield helps drain electrical noise away from the communication conductors.
Correct wiring is especially important because CC-Link is sensitive to poor grounding, loose terminals, incorrect cable type, and missing terminating resistors. A cable that looks acceptable physically may still fail if it does not meet the cc link cable specification.
cwcables プロのヒント: When diagnosing unstable CC-Link communication, I check the simplest items first: station order, terminal labels, shield continuity, grounding method, and whether termination is installed only at the two physical ends of the network.
What does CC-Link stand for?
CC-Link stands for Control & Communication Link. The name reflects its purpose: combining control signals and communication data across an industrial network. In Mitsubishi systems, CC-Link allows multiple automation devices to share data efficiently over a dedicated cc link cable instead of using separate point-to-point wiring.
Video Guide: This video explains why manufacturers choose CC-Link for industrial communication and distributed control.
Meaning Behind the Name
The term “Control & Communication Link” describes a field network designed to simplify machine wiring while improving control performance. Instead of wiring every sensor and actuator directly back to a PLC cabinet, engineers can distribute I/O stations throughout a machine and link them through a communication cable.
Key meanings include:
- Control: PLCs can send commands to remote devices such as actuators, valves, and drives.
- Communication: Devices exchange status, input, output, and diagnostic data.
- Link: Multiple stations are connected through a shared industrial network.
- Open network: CC-Link is supported by many automation manufacturers, not only Mitsubishi.
- Factory focus: The system is designed for production lines, machine tools, packaging systems, robotics, and process equipment.
This is why CC-Link remains common in Mitsubishi automation projects where deterministic communication, reduced wiring, and device interoperability are priorities.
cwcables プロのヒント: I tell buyers not to focus only on the acronym. The real value of CC-Link is predictable machine communication, but that reliability depends heavily on using the correct cable and installation practice.
What is CCA cable and why should it be avoided?
CCA cable means copper-clad aluminum cable. It has an aluminum core coated with a thin copper layer, making it cheaper than pure copper cable. For CC-Link communication, CCA should generally be avoided because it has higher resistance, weaker mechanical durability, and less reliable signal performance in demanding industrial networks.
Video Guide: This high-flex CC-Link cable example highlights why industrial communication cables require better construction than low-grade substitutes.
Why Copper-Clad Aluminum Is Risky
CCA cable is often marketed as a cost-saving alternative, but industrial communication networks are not the right place to compromise conductor quality. A CC-Link network depends on stable impedance, low resistance, correct shielding, and long-term mechanical reliability.
当社の内部データと市場分析に基づく内訳は次のとおりです。
| 要素 | Pure Copper CC-Link Cable | CCA Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | High and stable | Lower than copper |
| 機械的強度 | Better flex and pull resistance | More prone to breakage |
| 信号の安定性 | More reliable for data networks | Higher risk of communication errors |
| 工業適合性 | 推奨 | 推奨されません |
| Long-term value | より高い信頼性 | Lower upfront cost, higher risk |
CCA is especially risky where cables are pulled through trays, exposed to vibration, connected to moving equipment, or installed near electrical noise sources. Even if it works during initial testing, it may create intermittent faults later.
cwcables プロのヒント: I avoid CCA for any industrial communication line, especially CC-Link. The cost difference is small compared with the downtime cost of random network faults that are difficult to trace.
What is a CC-Link?
CC-Link is an industrial open field network used to connect controllers, remote I/O, drives, sensors, and other automation devices. Developed by Mitsubishi Electric, it enables high-speed communication across factory equipment and reduces wiring complexity by replacing many individual signal cables with one structured communication network.
Video Guide: This CC-Link IE video introduces the broader CC-Link family, including Ethernet-based industrial networking.
CC-Link as an Industrial Network
CC-Link is not only a cable; it is a complete communication system. The cable is the physical medium, while the protocol defines how devices communicate. Classic CC-Link uses dedicated fieldbus cabling, while CC-Link IE versions use 産業用イーサネット-based technology for higher-speed applications.
Common CC-Link network types include:
- CC-Link: Traditional fieldbus widely used with Mitsubishi PLC systems.
- CC-Link/LT: Designed for simpler sensor and actuator-level wiring.
- CC-Link IE Field: Industrial Ethernet-based network for higher-speed field communication.
- CC-Link IE Control: High-performance controller-level communication.
- CC-Link IE TSN: Time-sensitive networking version for advanced synchronized control.
For many users searching for CC-Link cable Mitsubishi products, the key point is to identify whether the application uses classic CC-Link fieldbus cable or an Ethernet-based CC-Link IE cable. They are not automatically interchangeable.
cwcables プロのヒント: I always ask customers for the exact network name printed in the Mitsubishi manual. “CC-Link” and “CC-Link IE” can require very different cable constructions, even though the names sound similar.
主な機能と比較
The main features of a CC-Link cable include shielding, 制御されたインピーダンス, industrial-grade insulation, correct conductor layout, and compatibility with DA, DB, DG, and shield terminals. Compared with ordinary control cable, a true cc link communication cable is designed specifically for stable data transmission in electrically noisy automation environments.
Video Guide: This CC-Link IE TSN video shows the performance direction of modern CC-Link networking technologies.
Specification and Selection Comparison
A correct cc link cable specification should be checked against the Mitsubishi or CC-Link Partner Association documentation for the exact network version. However, several practical comparison points help buyers avoid common mistakes.
当社の内部データと市場分析に基づく内訳は次のとおりです。
| 特徴 | CC-Link Cable | Ordinary Control Cable | Ethernet Cable for CC-Link IE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 主な用途 | Classic CC-Link fieldbus | General signal/control wiring | CC-Link IE Ethernet networks |
| シールド | Required for noise resistance | Optional or basic | Usually shielded industrial Ethernet |
| インピーダンス制御 | 重要 | Usually not controlled | Defined by Ethernet category |
| Typical terminals | DA, DB, DG, SLD/FG | Varies by circuit | RJ45 or industrial Ethernet connector |
| Mitsubishi compatibility | Yes, when specified | 推奨されません | Only for CC-Link IE versions |
| Noise performance | 高い | 変数 | High when industrial grade |
| 最適な使用例 | PLC-to-remote station bus | Low-speed discrete wiring | Gigabit or Ethernet-based automation |
The CC Link cable color code can vary by manufacturer, but many classic CC-Link cables use color identification for the communication conductors and shield drain. Always match the colors to the device terminal labels rather than relying on color alone.
Common terminal references include:
- DA: Communication data line A
- DB: Communication data line B
- DG: Signal ground/reference
- SLD: Shield connection
- FG: Frame ground, depending on device design
cwcables プロのヒント: I never wire by color alone. I use the manufacturer datasheet and then verify continuity from conductor to terminal, because color conventions can differ between cable suppliers and regions.
コストと購入要素
The cost of CC-Link cable depends on conductor material, shielding quality, certification, jacket material, flexibility, oil resistance, flame rating, and whether the cable is designed for fixed or moving applications. For Mitsubishi networks, buying the correct certified-style cable is usually cheaper than troubleshooting communication failures later.
Pricing Guide and Purchasing Checklist
CC-Link cable pricing varies because industrial environments demand different cable grades. A fixed installation inside a control cabinet has different requirements from a high-flex cable used on a moving axis or robotic system.
当社の内部データと市場分析に基づく内訳は次のとおりです。
| 購入要因 | 低コストのオプション | より高性能なオプション | アップグレードする時期 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 導体 | Standard copper | Fine-stranded pure copper | Flexing or vibration |
| シールド | Basic foil/braid | High-coverage industrial shield | High EMI areas |
| ジャケット | PVC | PUR, oil-resistant, flame-retardant | Harsh factory floors |
| フレックス評価 | 固定設置 | 連続フレックスケーブル | Drag chains or robotics |
| コンプライアンス | General compatible | CLPA/Mitsubishi-specified style | Critical automation lines |
| 応用 | Short panel wiring | Long-distance field wiring | Higher speed or longer runs |
購入する前に、次のことを確認してください。
- The exact CC-Link network type.
- Required cable specification from the Mitsubishi manual.
- Cable length and transmission speed.
- Station count and layout.
- Environmental exposure to oil, coolant, heat, or abrasion.
- Required flexibility for moving applications.
- Correct termination resistor requirements.
- Whether the project needs classic CC-Link cable or CC-Link IE Ethernet cable.
cwcables プロのヒント: I recommend buying cable based on total installed risk, not just meter price. If a production line depends on the network, choose a higher-grade cable with documented specifications.
結論
CC-Link cable is a specialized industrial communication cable used in Mitsubishi and compatible automation systems to connect PLCs, I/O, drives, and field devices. Selecting the right cc link cable specification, avoiding CCA conductors, and following proper wiring practices are essential for stable, noise-resistant factory communication.
Video Guide: This connection guide provides useful context for applying CC-Link IE field network devices in real installations.
最終選考ガイダンス
A reliable CC-Link installation starts with understanding the network version, cable specification, and operating environment. The cable is not just a physical accessory; it is part of the communication system’s performance.
Use this final checklist when choosing a CC-Link cable Mitsubishi solution:
- Match the cable to the exact Mitsubishi module and network version.
- Use a dedicated CC-Link cable for classic CC-Link fieldbus.
- Use the correct industrial Ethernet cable only when the system is CC-Link IE.
- Avoid CCA cable in industrial communication applications.
- Confirm shielding, impedance, conductor quality, and jacket rating.
- Follow the correct DA, DB, DG, SLD, and grounding instructions.
- Install termination resistors at the correct network endpoints.
- Source cable from a supplier that can provide clear technical specifications.
cwcables can help you select a suitable CC-Link communication cable for Mitsubishi automation systems, including fixed wiring, industrial control panels, and demanding factory environments.
cwcables プロのヒント: If you are unsure which CC-Link cable to choose, send the PLC module model, network type, cable length, and installation environment before ordering. I can usually identify the safest cable choice from those details.