In the age of Industry 4.0, smart factory and networked communication systems, the data requirements and requirements for data transmission are constantly growing. All industrial networks must cope even in harsh environments with high volumes of data and at the same time withstand external influences. Decentralised installation techniques are also on the rise in automation. LAPP, the global market leader for integrated solutions in the field of cable and connection technology, is expanding its switch portfolio and is presenting two new Industrial Ethernet switches with protection class IP67, which drive forward this decentralisation of components and are used directly on the application. They enable networking directly in the field environment without control cabinets, saving installation time and long cable distances.

Consistent Ethernet networking in industrial environments

The new switches with a wide range of management functions connect up to 8 network participants via M12D-coded connections and were specially developed for use in harsh industrial environments outside of control cabinets. Thanks to their protection class IP67, they can be installed directly on or in the machine.

ETHERLINE® ACCESS PN IP67 with 8 ports (10/100Base-T(X)) for D-coded M12 connectors is particularly suitable for use in PROFINET networks in automation technology ("Conformance Class B"). For decentralised use at the field level, it can be used in an extended temperature range from -40°C to +75°C. The managed switch prioritises PROFINET telegrams with real-time data and enables simple configuration and diagnosis via PROFINET or the web interface. In addition, this variant supports MRP (client), LLDP, DCP and SNMP, allows diagnostic alarms and detailed network statistics.

The ETHERLINE® ACCESS U IP67 unmanaged industrial Ethernet switch with 8 ports (10/100Base-T(X)) for D-coded M12 connectors is ready for use exceptionally quickly with minimal installation effort. The generous 16K-MAC address table and a comprehensive 256 Kbyte package buffer is also available for use. For use in Ethernet-based networks in automation engineering, it is also suitable for use in PROFINET networks ("Conformance Class A") and can be used in an extended temperature range from -40°C to +75°C.

Jürgen Greger, Industrial Communication Product Manager at LAPP: “LAPP is gradually expanding its switch portfolio and can now cater to decentralised applications. With these two new switch variants, we are more broad and can now offer our customers optimum connection solutions for PROFINET and Ethernet-based networks without the need for control cabinets".