+ Guide de la Connectique Servo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Extending the connection of a servomotor
2. How to connect a servomotor to an Interface-Z board
3. Connection directions
4. Dedicated servomotor extension or IZ sensor extension?
5. Connectivity products in the catalog

All the servomotors we sell are equipped with a 30 cm RC cable with a female JR connector.

Our "servomotor control boards" are designed for this connector and can be directly connected to the servomotors.

However, we offer ways to extend the cable length between the servomotor and its control board, with additional connectors and filters.

Extending the Servo Motor Connector

How to filter/de-noise a servomotor ? chez Interface-Z

The Importance of the Filter

If the servomotor needs to be placed further away from the control board, simply connecting it to a 3-wire extension, like you would with sensors, is not enough. The servomotor may experience jerks, shaking, and may fail to follow commands properly. It could quickly become affected by interference, causing it to vibrate, twitch, or, in extreme cases, move on its own.

To prevent or minimize this issue, we provide de-noising "filters".

LThe solution is to insert this filter between the servomotor and the extension cable. If the distance between the control board and the servomotor exceeds 3 meters, the extension itself should be shielded.

! The de-noising filter should be placed near the servomotor !

How to Connect a Servomotor to an Interface-Z Board

1) Direct Connection

Required Products:

• Servomotor
• Servomotor Midi or DMX Control Board

The 3-pin female RC connector of the servomotor connects directly to the 3 male pins of the servomotor control board (Midi/DMX).

The connection length between the actuator and its control board will be 30 cm.

! Pay attention to the wiring direction !

2) Extending the Length with a "Servo Extension"

Required Products:

• Servomotor
• Filter + Servo Extension Kit
• Servomotor Midi or DMX Control Board

The servomotor's female RC connector is plugged into the 3-pin connector of the filter. The filter comes with a 50 cm female-female servo extension cable, to which a male-female servo extension of 1 meter can be added to connect to the control board. This allows for an extension of the cable by at least 1.5 meters.

The PCB of the filter board has printed markings indicating which side connects to the servomotor and which side connects to the control board.

The connection length between the actuator and the control board will be 180 cm.

Pay attention to the wiring direction !

3) Extending the Length with an IZ Sensor Extension

Required Products:

• Servomotor
• Filter + Servo Extension Kit
• Servomotor Midi or DMX Control Board

The servomotor’s female RC connector is plugged into the 3-pin connector of the filter. The other connector on the filter is a white connector with a keyed design, suitable for connecting classic Interface-Z sensor extensions. You can connect any IZ extension to link to the servomotor control board.

! Pay attention to the wiring direction on the control board side !

Standard IZ extensions of 50 cm, 1.5 m, 3 m, and 5 m are available.

The connection length between the actuator and its control board can range from 80 cm up to 5.3 m depending on the chosen IZ extensions.

Please note that IZ extensions over 3 meters are shielded!

Custom lengths of shielded IZ extensions can be ordered.

Wiring Directions

The Servomotor

The current connector on the servomotors consists of 3 wires of different colors (brown, red, and yellow) attached to a small 3-pin female black connector.

The brown, red, and yellow wires represent respectively mass (-), power (+), and the control signal.

These three elements are indicated on the silkscreen of the filter board.

The servomotor connector is plugged into a 3-pin connector without a keyed design.

The IZ Extension

The IZ extensions come with a keyed connector and are marked on the ground (-) side to facilitate connection to our servomotor control board.

Please carefully check the wiring direction when connecting to the control board.

On our 8-servomotor control board (Midi or DMX), the ground (-) and power (+) connections for the servomotor outputs are marked on the silkscreen of the

The filter itself will be equipped with a keyed connector on the correct side, so there is no confusion when connecting.

Wiring Directions on the Filter:

On the filter board, the silkscreen clearly shows the wiring directions with the pin order.

One side, marked with the word "Carte" (Board), is equipped with a white keyed connector. This side is used to connect the filter to the control board.

The other side, marked with the word "Servomoteur" (Servomotor), is equipped with three unkeyed pins. This is the side where the servomotor is connected.

Dedicated Servomotor Extension or IZ Sensor Extension?

Advantages / Disadvantages of Each Connector

Servo Cable:

• (+) Specific connector for servomotors
• (+) Small connector size
• (+) Color-coded wires to help with correct wiring orientation
• (-) Limited length, up to a maximum of 1 meter
• (-) Color-coded wires may be visually noticeable

Sensor Extension Cable:

• (+) Available in various lengths, up to several meters
• (+) Option for shielded cables
• (+) Uniform gray or black color for a more discreet appearance
• (-) Be careful with wiring direction and ensure correct orientation

Connectors Products in the Catalog

• Servomotor Extension Cables 

Standard 3-wire RC cables with Male-Female connectors (1m length) or Female-Female connectors (50 cm length), available for free purchase.

• Servomotor Filter

A stand-alone de-noising filter with male-male connectors, one of which has a keying mechanism.

• IZ Extension Cables
• Shielded IZ Extension Cables

Standard 3-wire Female-Female cables, designed for connectors with white keying, typically used for connecting our sensors to acquisition boards. Several length options are available as standard.

• Filter + Servomotor Extension Kit

A filter with a 50 cm Female-Female RC cable and an optional 1m Male-Female extension.

• Filter + IZ Extension Kit

A filter and an IZ extension cable, available in different options.