KEB One Cable Technology Combines Motor Power and Feedback

KEB America has introduced One Cable Technology (OCT), a system that combines motor power and encoder feedback in a single cable for compatible S6 servo drives, F6 variable frequency drives, and TA and DL3 servo motors. Available with matched cables up to 50 meters long, the technology reduces the number of cables and connections required between drives and motors. The approach can simplify cabinet and drag-chain routing, installation, and troubleshooting, particularly on multi-axis machines, while retaining the feedback and motion-control capabilities of KEB’s drive platforms.

KEB’s One Cable Technology combines motor power and encoder feedback in a single cable between the drive and motor. Image used courtesy of KEB

The OCT package pairs the S6 and F6 drives with KEB’s TA and DL3 servo motors and matching OCT cables up to 50 meters long. For machine builders, the main benefit is straightforward: fewer cables and connections between the drive and motor, with less wiring to route through the control cabinet and machine.

Combining Power and Feedback

A typical closed-loop motor setup uses separate cables for motor power and encoder feedback. KEB’s OCT system combines the two into a single motor cable, reducing connections between the drive and motor. This can also reduce cable routing, especially on multi-axis machines where several motor and feedback cables may run through the same cabinet or drag chain.

You can use the same setup with KEB’s S6 servo drives and F6 VFDs. While VFDs do not always require encoder feedback, the F6 supports feedback for closed-loop applications, allowing it to take advantage of OCT as well. KEB offers cables in 1.5, 2.5, and 4.0 mm² cross-sections with M15, M23, and M40 connectors, with lengths up to 50 meters.

S6 and F6 Drive Support

The OCT system is available with S6 servo drives from 0.75 to 7.5 kW and F6 VFDs from 2.2 to 37 kW when equipped with the PRO control board and Safety Module 5. Both drive families support common industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, PROFINET and Powerlink.

The F6 VFD’s and S6 Servo drives all support KEB’s One Cable Technology. Image used courtesy of KEB

The S6 targets servo applications requiring positioning, feedback, and real-time communication. It includes SIL3 Safe Torque Off and Safe Brake Control as standard and supports several encoder formats. The F6 covers a broader range of motor applications and can operate induction, permanent-magnet servo, linear, torque, and synchronous reluctance motors. Its motor and communication modes are software selectable.

TA and DL3 Servo Motors

On the motor side, OCT supports KEB’s TA and DL3 servo families. TA motors are available in six frame sizes with standstill torque ratings from 0.5 to 90 Nm and speeds up to 6,000 rpm. OCT-compatible TA1 through TA6 motors use M23 or M40 connectors and can be paired with either the S6 or F6.

KEB’s TA servo with One Cable Technology. Image used courtesy of KEB

The DL3 is another option for applications requiring higher-speed servo operation. The six-pole synchronous motors are available in 200 and 400 V versions, with maximum speeds up to 9,000 rpm depending on the model. OCT-compatible versions use M15 or M23 connectors. The DL3 family provides up to 70 Nm nominal torque and 245 Nm peak torque.

Less Wiring Around the Machine

The main advantage of OCT is the reduced wiring between the drive and motor. Power and encoder feedback run over a single cable instead of two, which means fewer connectors and less cabling to route through the cabinet and along drag chains. The difference becomes more noticeable on multi-axis machines, where each additional motor would normally add another set of power and feedback cables.

Fewer cables can also make installation and troubleshooting easier. KEB provides the drive, motor, encoder, and OCT cable as a matched system, reducing the number of separate components machine builders need to specify. The system supports S6 servo drives and closed-loop F6 applications with KEB’s TA and DL3 motors, while keeping the existing feedback, communication, and motor-control functions of the drive platforms.