Industrial Ethernet switch-the ultimate introduction

Industrial Ethernet switch technology was not originally designed with the needs of industrial networks in mind. As a result, when computer equipment is deployed in industrial environments with extreme operating conditions and significant interference signals, the reliability of commercial service switches is challenged. To address this, industrial switches with high reliability and stability have emerged to become natural communication devices that can be integrated into complex industrial environments and facilitate the deployment of industrial automation technology.

 

4-Port 10/100Base-TX to 100Base-FX Industrial Ethernet Switch

1. What is an industrial switch?

 

An industrial switch, also known as an industrial Ethernet switch, uses open, widely used, high-quality, and inexpensive TCP/IP protocols, making Ethernet interfaces the key wireless communication modules in industrial control. Although there is no substantive difference between industrial switches and commercial switches in terms of the data link layer, transport layer, and protocol layer, industrial Ethernet interfaces are used for industrial control and have many unique features not found in commercial switches. They solve technical problems such as communication usability, Internet security, security systems, and explosion-proof technology, and adopt strategies suitable for industrial environments, such as moisture resistance and shock resistance.

4-Port 10/100Base-TX +2-Port 100Base-FX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

2. What is the difference between an industrial switch and a general switch?

Industrial switches are different from general-purpose and commercial switches in that they have many features that general-purpose and commercial switches do not have due to their unique operating environment and working requirements. They solve technical problems such as communication usability, Internet security, security systems, and explosion-proof technology, and adopt strategies suitable for industrial environments, such as moisture resistance and shock resistance. The key differences between industrial switches and general switches are in terms of their role and performance.

In terms of functionality, industrial Ethernet switches are more closely related to industrial network communication, such as interoperability with various computer interfaces, redundancy of machine equipment, and real-time machine equipment.

In terms of performance, the main differences are in the integration with external environmental monitoring systems. The natural environment of the industry has many special requirements, such as in the fields of EMI (electromagnetic compatibility testing), temperature, environmental humidity, and pollution prevention. Temperature is the most common factor affecting industrial computer equipment.

6-Port 10/100Base-TX +2-Port 100Base-FX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

 

3. What are the characteristics of industrial switches?

 

 

Due to the differences and requirements in work and performance, the main characteristics of industrial switches compared with general switches are as follows:

4. Electronic components: Industrial Ethernet switches have high requirements for the selection of electronic components. In order to meet the requirements of quickly integrating into the industrial production site, electronic components must meet the requirements of anti-static, lightning protection, and resistance to extremely high and low temperatures.

5-port 10/100BASE-TX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

5. Mechanical equipment natural environment: Industrial Ethernet switches can better integrate into extreme mechanical equipment natural environments, including vibration resistance, impact resistance, corrosion resistance, pollution prevention, and moisture resistance.

 

Climate and the natural environment: Industrial Ethernet switches can better integrate into weaker weather and natural environments, including temperature and environmental humidity. They can function normally in a working temperature range of -45℃ to 75℃, with an air humidity range of 5% to 95% without condensation.

Electromagnetic induction natural environment: Industrial Ethernet switches have strong resistance to electromagnetic interference and are widely used in industrial control environments with strong electromagnetic fields.

8-port 10/100BASE-TX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

6. Working standard voltage

 

The working standard voltage range of industrial Ethernet switches is wide, suitable for DC12/24V, and AC/DC85~265V wide voltage selection. Generally, switches have higher current specifications and fixed working voltage distribution is more common.

7. Power circuit

Generally, switches are basically single-switch power supplies, while industrial Ethernet switches are all dual power switch backups for data. In addition, they also improve the role of power failure alarms.

9-port 10/100BASE-TX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

8. Installation method

 

Industrial Ethernet switches can be installed using DIN slides, sound card racks, etc., while switches are generally installed on sound card racks or desktops.

9. Heat dissipation method

Industrial Ethernet switches use fanless housings for heat dissipation, reducing the interference of dust and avoiding facility problems caused by fan issues, while switches generally use heat dissipation fans.

16-port 10/100BASE-TX Industrial Ethernet Switch

 

10. When to use industrial switches

 

In the industrial field, suitable industrial Ethernet switches must be used, and cost-effective commercial switches cannot be used as substitutes. The importance of using industrial switches in the industrial field can be clearly defined from the following aspects:

11. Predictability

Because the MAC layer agreement of the Ethernet interface is CSMA/CD, this contract promotes conflicts on the Internet, especially when the Internet load is too heavy. In an industrial Internet, if there are many conflicts, data information must be repeatedly retransmitted, greatly increasing the variability of inter-network communication. In industrial control Internet, such variability from one place to another will inevitably lead to a reduction in control system performance.

12. Practicality

In industrial automatic control systems, immediacy can be defined as the scalability of the system's response speed to something. In other words, after something happens, the system software must reflect it within a precisely predictable time period. However, in industry, the practicality requirements for information transmission are very strict, and data information is usually upgraded within tens of milliseconds. However, due to the CSMA/CD mechanism of the Ethernet interface, when conflicts occur, data information needs to be sent again, and more than 16 times can be attempted. Obviously, this kind of conflict resolution system is a cost in terms of time. Moreover, once a disconnection occurs, even if it is only a few seconds, it may cause the termination of the entire production process or even machine equipment and life safety accidents.

13. Stability: When Ethernet interfaces were initially developed, they were not designed with industrial use in mind. When used in industrial environments, they must withstand extreme loads and serious wire interference, which will inevitably lead to reduced stability. In the working environment, industrial Ethernet must have good stability, recoverability, and scalability. This ensures that when there are problems with any component in an application system, it is unlikely to cause crashes and paralysis of application software, computer operating systems, or even application systems.

14. Main Applications

Industrial switches are generally used in industrial production and manufacturing places, with various shapes and installation methods available depending on the usage environment. They are designed to have specified levels of moisture-proofing, anti-pollution, earthquake resistance, anti-interference signals, and high stability requirements, and must operate continuously for 24 hours without interruption. Some automatic control systems require sharing of delayed signals, and others require redundant power supplies or DC24V switch power supplies. Industrial switches are designed with the complex conditions of industrial environments in mind, to ensure stable and reliable operation.

In summary, industrial Ethernet switches are an important component in the field of industrial automation control. They have high requirements for performance, reliability, and stability, and are used in a variety of industries, such as power, transportation, mining, and manufacturing. The working voltage range is wide, and the installation methods and heat dissipation methods are different from those of ordinary switches. When selecting industrial switches, it is important to consider factors such as environmental conditions, performance requirements, and budget, and to choose switches that are suitable for the specific application.

 

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