What it is and where it fits
The Siemens 6GT2891-4FN10 is a pre-assembled, highly flexible communication cable for the SIMATIC RF identification system. It connects an RFID reader to a communication module like the ASM 456, RF160C, RF170C, or RF18XC, or serves as an extension between them. The cable is 10 m long, terminated with an M12 8-pin male connector on one end and an M12 8-pin female connector on the other, so it plugs straight in without field wiring.
Key ratings and what they mean for fit
Rated for a maximum of 300 V, this cable handles the signal and low-power supply voltages typical in RFID reader circuits without derating concerns. The 300 V rating is the UL/ETL listing for the cable itself (CM rated), meaning it passes the vertical-tray flame test for general building use — a standard requirement for plenum-adjacent runs in North American installations. The cable is designed for continuous flexing applications: it withstands 3,000,000 bending cycles with a minimum bend radius of 75 mm under continuous flex, and can take a single bend as tight as 21.6 mm. This makes it suitable for dynamic applications like cable carriers on moving gantries or robot arms, not just static panel-to-reader drops. It is resistant to grease, mineral oil, and UV radiation, and is silicon-free — important for paint-shop or adhesive-application environments where silicone contamination causes surface defects. The cable is not halogen-free, so it is not the first choice for enclosed public spaces with strict smoke-toxicity requirements.
Construction and mechanical limits
The cable uses a braided shield of tin-plated copper wires, giving good EMI rejection for the sensitive reader-to-modem link. The 6-core construction (6x1x0.25 mm² / 6x24 AWG) follows the L-YC11Y designation with PVC insulation per DIN 47100 color coding. Maximum tensile load is 200 N, so it can be pulled through cable trays but should not be used as a load-bearing line. Loop resistance is 160 mΩ/m maximum, and insulation resistance is 20 GΩ·m — both figures confirm the cable can carry the 24 VDC supply and RS-232/422 signals over the full 10 m without excessive drop or leakage. Operating, storage, transport, and installation temperature range is -30 to +80 °C, so it handles typical industrial enclosure ambient conditions without derating.