Reliable on-board connectivity for rolling stock

Factory-tested cordsets that take the risk out of on-board connectivity.

Why rail OEMs are moving away from field-assembled connections

Cabling installation and testing account for more than 45% of total build effort on rolling stock on-board systems. With field-assembled connectors, each termination introduces risk: incorrect pinouts, poor sealing and inconsistent quality across build sites. The result is rework during commissioning, potential intermittent faults in service and warranty exposure that compounds over the train’s lifecycle.

High-speed train blurred in motion as it travels through a rural landscape under a vibrant blue sky

Factory-tested molded M12 cordsets reduce risk and build time

Molded M12 cordsets deliver factory-controlled consistency with sealed, strain-relieved connections and 100% continuity testing before delivery. Cable lengths are customized to the train architecture, so installers connect and move on. No on-site termination, no cable testing, no missing parts.

100 passenger coaches across the European Union are due for upgrades in the coming years.

55 of railway passengers expect free internet access on board, driving demand for robust onboard networks.

45 or more of total build effort on rolling stock on-board systems goes to cabling installation and testing.

Up to 80% reduction in cabling installation time compared with field-assembled connections.

“What makes Belden unique is that we manufacture both the cable and the connector. Combined with our processes for customised, industrialised production at rail program scale, no one else in the market can match it.”

— German Fernandez, Solution Line Manager, Transportation, Belden

Withstands the harshest rail environments

Continuous vibration, moisture, brake dust, temperature swings and cleaning chemicals are standard conditions on rolling stock. Belden’s sealed overmould and integrated strain relief keep connections secure throughout the train’s service life. Rated IP67/IP69K and compliant with EN50155, IEC61373 and EN45545.

Railway engineers inspecting train carriage at maintenance workshop

Faster installation, fewer errors

Manual on-site installation of 200+ patch cords can take two to three days and requires skilled labor, specialized tools, testing instruments and the train physically in place. Pre-assembled cordsets arrive ready to connect, cutting the same job to a single day. No on-site termination, no risk of incorrect pinouts, smoother commissioning and higher acceptance test pass rates.

Two mechanics working together in the inspection pit at a railway maintenance facility, focusing on train repair and safety measures, capturing the essential teamwork and industrial

Customised to your train, scaled across your fleet

Every cordset is built to project specifications: defined connector types, cable variants and custom lengths matched to the train architecture. Belden’s project-oriented supply model manages high reference complexity with phased deliveries, typically running from a three-month prototyping phase through documentation and part number creation into multi-year industrialized production for large fleet programs.

Solution brief

Reliable connections in motion

Molded M12 cordsets help rail OEMs and system integrators standardise connection quality, reduce rework and lower lifecycle costs across rolling stock fleets. Learn how Belden’s two-phase approach takes projects from prototype flexibility to series production reliability.