Description
IBM 5460185 Bus and Tag Cable 15ft 6.09M Type A for IBM 3480 Tape Drive
The IBM 5460185 is a Type A Bus and Tag parallel channel cable measuring 15 feet (6.09 meters) in length, designed to connect IBM mainframe channel controllers to compatible tape drives and peripheral devices. Bus and Tag cabling was IBM's standard parallel I/O channel interface for connecting mainframe CPUs and controllers to storage subsystems, and the 3480 tape drive family was one of the primary devices this cable type served.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: IBM
- Part Number: 5460185
- EC Number: EC 0225980
- Cable Type: Bus and Tag (IBM Parallel Channel), Type A
- Length: 15 ft / 6.09 M (0020FT as marked on label)
- Connectors: IBM Bus and Tag gold-pin connectors — one gray housing end, one black housing end
- Pin condition: gold-pin contacts present and intact on both ends
- Compatible with: IBM 3480, 3480D tape drives and compatible IBM mainframe channel subsystems
- Jacket: blue with IBM identification labels affixed
- Included: cable only
Applications
Bus and Tag cabling was the backbone of IBM mainframe parallel channel I/O from the 1960s through the 1990s, used to connect IBM System/360, System/370, System/390, and compatible mainframes to peripheral devices such as tape drives, disk controllers, and channel-attached printers. The IBM 3480 tape drive family, introduced in 1984, was a major deployment target for this interface — replacing the older open-reel 9-track tape format with a compact cartridge-based system that became standard in large data centers through the late 1980s and 1990s. Bus and Tag channels were eventually superseded by ESCON and later FICON fiber-optic channel technology, making original Bus and Tag cables like this one sought-after replacement and maintenance parts for shops still running legacy IBM mainframe peripherals or tape libraries.
This IBM 5460185 Type A Bus and Tag Cable has been inspected and appears to be in good used condition. The blue cable jacket shows normal surface wear including some scuffing and tape residue from prior use, as visible in the photos. Both the gray and black gold-pin connector ends are intact, with pins present and no visible bent or missing contacts. The locking hardware on both connectors appears functional. This cable was pulled from a working mainframe environment where it was previously in service. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
IBM |
Model: |
5460185 |
MPN: |
5460185 |
Type: |
Bus and Tag Cable |
SKU: |
44065 |
Cable Type: |
Bus and Tag (Parallel Channel) |
Cable Subtype: |
IBM Type A |
Length: |
15 ft (6.09 M) |
Connector Type: |
IBM Bus and Tag gold-pin connectors |
Compatible With: |
IBM 3480 Tape Drive / 3480D |
EC Number: |
EC 0225980 |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Seller Notes: |
Cable only — no additional accessories included. |
Condition Notes: |
This IBM 5460185 Type A Bus and Tag Cable is in good used condition. Jacket shows normal surface wear and tape residue. Both gold-pin connector ends are intact with no bent or missing pins. Pulled from a working mainframe environment. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |