Contact-free IO-Link couplers transmit power and data wirelessly
4 August 2025 
Phoenix Contact has announced a wireless IO-Link coupler that provides contact-free transmission of power and data between IO-Link devices and automation systems. The couplers can carry up to 18W of power via inductive transmission, as well as IO-Link data at speeds up to 230.4 kb/s, across an air gap of up to 7mm.
The technology can replace wear-prone connections and sliprings, while reducing costly outages.
The couplers allow devices to be supplied with power and IO-Link data without wear or the need for maintenance, especially in applications where conventional connection technologies are reaching their limits due to space and movement restrictions, vibration, dust and dirt, rotation, and the need for frequent contacts.
The near-field communications via the air gap does not require any frequency planning or wireless technology expertise.
The couplers use a standardised IO-Link interface, and will work with all common IO-Link Class A devices, simplifying their commissioning, maintenance and expansion. The robust couplers are said to operate reliably, even in demanding conditions.
Phoenix Contact predicts that in the factory of the future, there will no longer be physical connections in moving applications. Production downtimes due to bent or worn contacts will be a thing of the past.
