1. Product Overview

Product Name: DIO‑68M/96F
Article Number: DIO‑68M/96F
Product Type: Shielded connection cable
Function: Cable for connecting CONTEC digital I/O board PIO‑48D(CB)H to terminal block EPD‑96
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Series: Accessory and Cable Lineup for CONTEC Measurement and Control Products
Category: Industrial Automation – Measurement and Control Accessories

The DIO‑68M/96F is a precision‑engineered shielded cable designed to interconnect CONTEC’s PC‑based digital I/O interface boards and external terminal units. Specifically, it provides a reliable electrical and mechanical link between the PIO‑48D(CB)H digital I/O card and the EPD‑96 terminal block. It belongs to CONTEC’s family of high‑performance analog and digital I/O accessories that ensure signal integrity, mechanical robustness, and compatibility across the company’s PCI, PC Card, and USB measurement systems.

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2. Key Features

- Purpose‑built connectivity: Designed exclusively for linking the PIO‑48D(CB)H digital I/O PC card to the EPD‑96 terminal block, ensuring pin‑to‑pin compatibility and correct signal mapping.
- High‑density connectors: Utilizes a 68‑pin 0.8 mm pitch mini‑ribbon connector on the board side and a 96‑pin half‑pitch connector on the terminal block side, matching CONTEC’s standardized interface scheme.
- Shielded construction: Employs a fully shielded cable assembly to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and maintain signal integrity in industrial environments.
- Industrial‑grade reliability: Built to withstand mechanical stress, vibration, and electrical noise typical of factory automation and measurement systems.
- Plug‑and‑play compatibility: No special configuration required; the cable directly mates with CONTEC’s standard connectors used on the F‑series and L‑series analog/digital I/O boards and terminal units.
- Optimized for high‑speed digital I/O: Supports the full bandwidth and timing characteristics of the PIO‑48D(CB)H, ensuring accurate signal transmission for high‑speed digital control and monitoring.
- Part of a modular system: Integrates seamlessly with CONTEC’s ecosystem of boards, cables, and terminal blocks, allowing flexible system configuration and easy maintenance.
- RoHS‑compliant materials: Constructed using environmentally safe materials in accordance with international directives.

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3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|------------|---------------|
| Cable Type | Shielded multi‑conductor cable |
| Connector A (Board Side) | 68‑pin, 0.8 mm pitch mini‑ribbon male connector |
| Connector B (Terminal Side) | 96‑pin half‑pitch male connector (HONDA Tsushin Kogyo PCR‑E96LMD or equivalent) |
| Compatible Boards | PIO‑48D(CB)H digital I/O PC card |
| Compatible Terminal Units | EPD‑96 DIN‑rail‑mountable terminal block |
| Cable Length Options | Typically available in 0.5 m, 1.5 m, and 3 m variants (standard CONTEC lengths) |
| Shielding | Full‑coverage braided and foil shield with drain wire |
| Conductor Type | Twisted‑pair signal lines with tinned copper conductors |
| Insulation Material | Heat‑resistant PVC or equivalent industrial‑grade polymer |
| Outer Jacket | Flexible PVC, gray, oil‑resistant |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C – 50 °C (typical for CONTEC accessory cables) |
| Storage Temperature Range | –20 °C – 70 °C |
| Dielectric Strength | 500 V AC for 1 minute between conductors and shield |
| Insulation Resistance | ≥ 100 MΩ at 500 V DC |
| Weight | Approx. 150 – 300 g depending on length |
| Compliance | RoHS, CE (as part of CONTEC accessory family) |

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4. Functionality

The DIO‑68M/96F serves as the physical interface between a digital I/O PC card and an external terminal block. On the PC side, the 68‑pin connector mates with the PIO‑48D(CB)H, a high‑speed opto‑isolated digital I/O card used for industrial control and data acquisition. On the field side, the 96‑pin half‑pitch connector attaches to the EPD‑96 terminal block, which provides screw‑type or spring‑clamp terminals for wiring sensors, actuators, and other external devices.

Signal Transmission:
Each conductor in the cable corresponds to a specific I/O channel, ground, or control line. The shielded twisted‑pair design minimizes crosstalk and noise coupling, ensuring accurate logic‑level transmission even in electrically noisy environments.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation systems requiring reliable digital signal routing between PC‑based controllers and field devices.
- Measurement and control setups using CONTEC’s F‑series or L‑series multifunction boards.
- Laboratory test benches where modular analog/digital I/O configurations are frequently re‑wired.
- Embedded PC systems or portable data acquisition units using PC Card (CardBus) interfaces.

Compatibility:
The DIO‑68M/96F is compatible with CONTEC’s standard accessory ecosystem, including:
- PIO‑48D(CB)H (digital I/O PC card)
- EPD‑96 (96‑point terminal block)
- ATP‑32F (BNC terminal unit, via EPD‑96 interface)
- DIN‑ADP1 (DIN‑rail adapter for terminal blocks)

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5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- One DIO‑68M/96F shielded cable assembly
- Connector strain‑relief hardware (factory‑installed)
- Identification labels for connector orientation and pin numbering

Optional Accessories:
- EPD‑96 Terminal Block: 96‑point screw‑type terminal unit for field wiring.
- DIN‑ADP1 Adapter: Enables DIN‑rail mounting of terminal blocks.
- ATP‑32F BNC Panel: For analog or digital signal breakout.
- Cable Clamps and Guides: For securing the cable in control panels.

Connector Details:
- 68‑pin 0.8 mm pitch mini‑ribbon: mates with CONTEC PC Card or PCI‑based I/O boards.
- 96‑pin half‑pitch: mates with EPD‑96 or equivalent terminal units.
Both connectors follow CONTEC’s standardized pin assignments to ensure cross‑compatibility across product lines.

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6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Compatible CONTEC digital I/O board (PIO‑48D(CB)H or equivalent).
- Matching terminal block (EPD‑96).
- Available space for cable routing within the control enclosure.

Mounting Options:
- The cable can be routed through cable ducts or harnesses.
- The EPD‑96 terminal block can be DIN‑rail mounted using the DIN‑ADP1 adapter.
- Ensure that the cable bend radius exceeds 10× the cable diameter to prevent conductor fatigue.

Configuration Steps:
1. Power off the PC and external devices.
2. Insert the PIO‑48D(CB)H card into the PC Card slot.
3. Connect the 68‑pin mini‑ribbon connector of the DIO‑68M/96F to the card’s external connector.
4. Secure the connector using the locking screws or clips provided.
5. Attach the 96‑pin half‑pitch connector to the EPD‑96 terminal block.
6. Verify pin alignment and secure the connector with the retention screws.
7. Connect field wiring to the EPD‑96 terminals according to the I/O channel mapping.
8. Power on the system and verify signal continuity using CONTEC’s diagnostic utilities.

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7. Performance & Capabilities

- Signal Integrity: The shielded construction and twisted‑pair layout maintain low noise coupling, supporting high‑speed digital I/O operations up to the maximum switching rate of the PIO‑48D(CB)H (typically 200 ns response time).
- Transmission Capacity: Supports all 48 input/output channels plus ground and control lines, routed through the 68‑pin connector to the 96‑pin terminal interface.
- Electrical Isolation: While the cable itself is not isolated, it preserves the isolation provided by the connected board and terminal unit.
- Mechanical Durability: Rated for thousands of mating cycles; connectors are gold‑plated to prevent oxidation.
- Environmental Resistance: Designed for use in industrial control cabinets with moderate temperature and humidity.
- Limitations: Not intended for high‑voltage or analog signal transmission; use only for TTL‑level or opto‑isolated digital signals as specified by the connected devices.

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8. Standards & Compliance

- Electrical Standards: Conforms to CONTEC’s internal wiring and pin‑assignment standards for digital I/O accessories.
- Safety & Environmental Compliance:
- RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant.
- CE marking applicable when used as part of a certified CONTEC system.
- Connector Standards:
- 68‑pin 0.8 mm pitch mini‑ribbon per JEIDA PC Card mechanical specification.
- 96‑pin half‑pitch per HONDA Tsushin Kogyo PCR‑E96LMD standard.
- Quality Assurance: Manufactured under ISO 9001‑certified processes ensuring consistent electrical and mechanical performance.

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9. Additional Information

Warranty:
Typically covered under CONTEC’s standard accessory warranty (one year from date of purchase), covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Support & Maintenance:
- Technical documentation, pin‑assignment charts, and wiring diagrams are available from CONTEC’s global portal (www.contec.com).
- Free driver and utility software (API‑PAC(W32), API‑TOOLs for Windows/Linux) support configuration and testing of connected boards.
- Maintenance involves periodic inspection of connector integrity and cable shielding; replace if mechanical damage or signal degradation is observed.

Software Compatibility:
Although the cable itself requires no software, it is used in systems supported by CONTEC’s software suite:
- API‑PAC(W32): Windows API library for board control.
- API‑TOOLs for Linux: Device driver and shared library for Linux environments.
- LabVIEW VI‑DAQ and MATLAB ML‑DAQ: Libraries enabling direct integration with measurement software.

System Integration Example:
A typical configuration using the DIO‑68M/96F includes:
- Board: ADA16‑32/2(CB)F or PIO‑48D(CB)H (PC Card digital I/O)
- Cable: DIO‑68M/96F (this product)
- Terminal Unit: EPD‑96 (DIN‑rail‑mountable screw terminal)
- Optional Panel: ATP‑32F (BNC terminal panel for signal breakout)

This combination provides a complete PC‑based measurement and control interface capable of handling up to 96 digital I/O points with high reliability and minimal setup time.

Maintenance Recommendations:
- Avoid excessive bending or pulling of the cable.
- Keep connectors free from dust and moisture.
- Verify continuity periodically using a multimeter or CONTEC diagnostic tool.
- Replace immediately if shielding or insulation is compromised.

Ordering Information:
- Model: DIO‑68M/96F
- Description: Shielded cable connecting PIO‑48D(CB)H to EPD‑96
- Available Lengths: 0.5 m (DIO‑68M/96F‑0.5P), 1.5 m (DIO‑68M/96F‑1.5P), 3 m (DIO‑68M/96F‑3P)
- Optional Accessories: EPD‑96 terminal block, DIN‑ADP1 adapter, ATP‑32F panel

Manufacturer Contact:
CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Measurement and Control Products Division
Global Portal: [www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com)

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### Summary

The CONTEC DIO‑68M/96F is a high‑quality, shielded interconnection cable engineered for industrial measurement and control systems. It provides a robust, noise‑resistant link between the PIO‑48D(CB)H digital I/O PC card and the EPD‑96 terminal block, ensuring accurate signal transmission and reliable operation in demanding environments. With standardized connectors, full shielding, and compatibility across CONTEC’s analog and digital I/O product lines, the DIO‑68M/96F is an essential component for building modular, PC‑based data acquisition and control systems.