YOKOGAWA AKB Series Signal Cables – AKB331

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

YOKOGAWA AKB Series Technical Notes

The YOKOGAWA AKB Series comprises field signal cables and marshalling connectors engineered for use within YOKOGAWA's CENTUM CS, CENTUM CS 3000, CENTUM VP, and ProSafe-RS distributed control and safety instrumented systems. These cables serve as the physical signal interface layer between field instruments and I/O modules mounted on FCS (Field Control Station) node units. Installed across refineries, petrochemical complexes, LNG terminals, nuclear power auxiliary systems, and continuous process plants globally, AKB Series cables are a critical component in maintaining signal integrity across multi-loop control architectures. Their standardized connector formats and shielded construction make them a long-term infrastructure element — once installed, they are rarely replaced unless a major I/O card migration or cabinet retrofit is undertaken. This positions AKB Series cables as a high-demand spare parts category for facilities operating CENTUM systems beyond their original design life.

The Evolution of AKB Series Architecture

The AKB Series was introduced alongside YOKOGAWA's CENTUM CS platform in the early 1990s as a standardized cabling solution to replace custom-wired terminal blocks. The design philosophy centered on pre-terminated, factory-tested cable assemblies that could be installed without field soldering, reducing commissioning errors in high-density I/O environments. With the transition to CENTUM CS 3000 (circa 1998–2008), the AKB connector pinout was retained for backward compatibility, allowing existing cable runs to interface with upgraded I/O cards such as the AAI141, AAI143, and ADV151 series. The CENTUM VP generation (2008–present) maintained this connector standard while introducing higher-density node configurations, meaning AKB cables installed in CS 3000 cabinets can often be reused during VP migrations without full recabling — a significant cost factor in brownfield upgrades. For ProSafe-RS safety systems, dedicated AKB variants with enhanced shielding and segregated signal routing are specified to meet IEC 61511 wiring requirements. As CENTUM CS and CS 3000 systems enter end-of-life phases, AKB Series cables have transitioned from active procurement items to lifecycle-extension spares, with demand driven by maintenance shutdowns, cabinet expansions, and partial I/O replacements rather than new installations.

AKB Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the verified AKB Series cable and connector range for YOKOGAWA CENTUM and ProSafe-RS systems, organized by function:

Field Signal Cables — Analog I/O

AKB331: 16-channel analog signal cable, 1.5 m, for AAI/ADV I/O modules
AKB332: 16-channel analog signal cable, 3.0 m, extended reach for large cabinets
AKB333: 16-channel analog signal cable, 5.0 m, for remote marshalling panels
AKB341: 32-channel analog signal cable, 1.5 m, high-density I/O node wiring
AKB342: 32-channel analog signal cable, 3.0 m, dual-connector marshalling interface

Field Signal Cables — Digital I/O

AKB351: 16-channel digital I/O signal cable, 1.5 m, for ADV/ADI modules
AKB352: 16-channel digital I/O signal cable, 3.0 m, standard DI/DO marshalling
AKB361: 32-channel digital I/O signal cable, 1.5 m, high-density discrete wiring
AKB362: 32-channel digital I/O signal cable, 3.0 m, extended marshalling reach

Field Signal Cables — ProSafe-RS / SIS

AKB371: Safety-rated signal cable, 1.5 m, for ProSafe-RS SIL-rated I/O modules
AKB372: Safety-rated signal cable, 3.0 m, segregated SIS field wiring
AKB381: Dual-redundant signal cable assembly, 1.5 m, for redundant I/O configurations

Marshalling Connectors & Accessories

AKB391: Terminal block connector, 40-pin, field-side marshalling interface
AKB401: Connector hood assembly, for AKB cable field termination protection
AKB411: Cable clamp bracket, DIN-rail mount, for AKB cable strain relief
AKB421: Shielded cable extension kit, for AKB331/AKB341 series field extensions