With its new Y-Con series, Yamaichi claims to take RJ45 to a new level—specifically to a standard suitable for industrial applications.
Where conventional PoE is limited by heat generation and power constraints, Y-Con can deliver significantly more power via an extra pair of dedicated contacts—without losing compatibility with standard Ethernet.
The result is a robust, space-saving solution that combines data and high power in a single connector, ideal for demanding industrial applications.
Conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) uses standard RJ45 pins (1, 2, 3, 6, or all 8) for both data and power. This works well for typical IT devices, but can become a limitation in industrial environments where power requirements and operational reliability are higher.
Conventional PoE (RJ45):
Power method: The same pins are used for both data and power (2 pairs for Type A/B, or all 4 pairs for higher-power Type 3/4).
Power limits: Standard PoE (802.3af) ~15 W, PoE+ (802.3at) ~30 W, PoE++ (802.3bt) up to ~100 W.
Limitation: At higher power levels, RJ45 pins and magnetics can be subject to heat buildup and losses, reducing reliability in demanding environments.
Yamaichi Y-Con with extra power:
Special feature: Two dedicated, additional power contacts integrated into the RJ45 housing.
Current capacity: Up to 3.1 A @ 70°C via these separate pins—independent of the data pins.
Compatibility: Full RJ45 compatibility, but with significantly higher power capacity.
Applications: Industrial Ethernet (IP67/68) where motors, sensors, and advanced IoT devices require more power than standard PoE can deliver.
Advantage: Combines robust data communication with high power in a single connector, saving space and costs while increasing operational reliability in harsh environments.
In summary, Y-Con is therefore not just a new PoE standard—it is a physical improvement of the RJ45 connector, according to the manufacturer. With dedicated power contacts, Y-Con provides a built-in “power boost” that makes it possible to deliver far more power than conventional PoE, while maintaining compatibility.
Link Nordic AS is the official distributor of Yamaichi in Norway and offers local availability and support for customers seeking advanced and reliable connector solutions.
