Ethernet communication via multi-wire cable
All about connecting new and existing plants
Industrial Ethernet offers extensive opportunities for industrial communication. Machines and plants can be operated via web-based services using Ethernet, for example. But the network standard is designed for multicore cables with four or eight wires. We also offer solutions for Ethernet communication that make use of traditional two-wire cables. Use existing plant cabling for Ethernet communication and eliminate the need to lay new cables. Connect remote nodes to Ethernet networks using two-wire, four-wire, or eight-wire cables. Or make it easier to migrate from PROFIBUS to PROFINET.
Overcome limitations
The IEEE standard specifies the length of copper cables to 100 m. With our solutions, you’ll overcome the 100 m limitation for Ethernet cables: for example, with any two-wire cables for Ethernet cables up to 1,000 m. Connections can be made via corresponding Industrial Ethernet switches SCALANCE XF-200BA with BusAdapter, SCALANCE X-300, and the media module MM992-2VD or via the industry router SCALANCE M826-2.
For flexible network structures
The BA 2xRJ45VD HA BusAdapter is capable of both Ethernet communication via a two-wire cable (single twisted pair), a four-wire cable (twisted pair), and an eight-wire cable (Cat6A cable for Gigabit Ethernet). This means that existing PROFIBUS infrastructures can continue to be used, thereby avoiding complex and costly retrofitting, at the field level in particular.
The BusAdapter BA 2xRJ45VD HA is inserted in the Industrial Ethernet switch SCALANCE XF204-2BA, which has the same design as SIMATIC ET 200SP. This permits the flexible configuration of redundant network structures with PROFINET in process automation and the integration of S2 devices in a redundant R1 system.
Typical use cases
Specially developed for use with redundant SIMATIC S7-400H systems in process automation:
The SCALANCE XF204-2BA DNA compact Industrial Ethernet switch (Y- switch) connects PROFINET S2 devices to a highly available system, which was previously possible only with PROFIBUS systems.
The Y-switch connects a redundant PROFINET ring consisting of S2 Devices (field area) with a highly available PROFINET system (R1 system). This link connects the S2 devices with an H system. This further reduces the likelihood of a communication failure between the field devices and the CPU, thus significantly boosting the availability of the entire network.
Cable lengths with BusAdapter BA 2xRJ45VD HA
Copper cables are used for the connection of Ethernet nodes of up to 1,000 m. Depending on the desired data rate, existing two-wire, four-wire, and eight-wire cables via Ethernet can be used.
FastConnect – a cabling system gets the hang
Structured cabling is the basis of an industrial bus system or network and must fulfill much higher requirements than cabling in the office area. Stringent demands are placed on the installation of cables in the industrial environment. Siemens offers FastConnect, a system that fulfills all these requirements: on-site assembly – quick, easy and error-free.
FastConnect for PROFIBUS – the cabling system for field use
PROFIBUS FastConnect is a system for quickly and easily assembling PROFIBUS copper cables or optical fiber cables on-site, in the correct lengths for the application in question.
SCALANCE XF204-2BA DNA (Y-Switch)
Use the SCALANCE XF204-2BA DNA Industrial Ethernet switch to integrate PROFINET S2 devices into a redundant R1 system.
Industrial Ethernet switches for the process industry
Discover our robust SCALANCE X-200 Industrial Ethernet switches to meet the stringent demands of the process industry.
For 2-wire cables up to 1,000 m
The MM992-2VD media module (variable distance), which is plugged into a modular SCALANCE X-300 switch, can use any type of two-wire cable for Ethernet connections up to 1,000 m. This includes, for example, ground cables and cables through fireproof bulkheads and along pipelines, which can be very difficult to replace. With two-wire or eight-wire cables it can also be used to establish a PROFINET connection up to 500 m. Due to the technology used, no other transmission method needs to be implemented for transmission. The two-wire cable is connected with the standard PROFIBUS cable and a RJ45 IE FC RJ45 plug 4x2.
Typical use cases
Any two-wire cable can be used for Ethernet connections up to 1,000 m long, for example along ground cables, cables through fireproof bulkheads or along pipelines. Two-wire cables can also be connected using a standard PROFIBUS cable or with 4 or 8 wire cables a PROFINET connection can be established up to a length of 500 m.
Cables and cable lengths – media module with SCALANCE X
The two-wire cable is connected with the standard PROFIBUS cable and a RJ45 IE FC RJ45 plug 4x2. Thanks to this technology, no other transmission method needs to be implemented for transmission.
FastConnect – a cabling system gets the hang
Structured cabling is the basis of an industrial bus system or network and must fulfill much higher requirements than cabling in the office area. Stringent demands are placed on the installation of cables in the industrial environment. Siemens offers FastConnect, a system that fulfills all these requirements: on-site assembly – quick, easy and error-free.
FastConnect for PROFIBUS – the cabling system for field use
PROFIBUS FastConnect is a system for quickly and easily assembling PROFIBUS copper cables or optical fiber cables on-site, in the correct lengths for the application in question.
Media modules for SCALANCE X-300
Discover all the media modules for SCALANCE X-300 switches.
For cost-effective and secure remote access
The SHDSL industrial router SCALANCE M826-2 allows the cost-effective and secure connection of Ethernet-based subnets and automation devices using existing two-wire or multi-wire cables. The device is especially suitable for telecontrol applications. Areas of application include sewage and water treatment plants, oil and gas supply, and district heating networks.
Typical use cases
The industrial router can be used remotely to create connections between widely distributed stations. The connected stations are regularly synchronized from the PC via the Ethernet connection. The date and time can be supplied from a central location in this way.
Cables and cable lengths with SCALANCE M826-2
The connection of Ethernet nodes can be established using existing two-wire or multi-wire cables or via wired telephone or DSL networks with data rates up to 15.3 Mbit/s.
Note: The table does not contain any guaranteed values, but rather points of reference for typical relations of bandwidth to distance for two cables. The values that can actually be achieved depend on the length, cross-section, age and quality of the cable used.
PROFINET cycle time with SCALANCE M826-2
*) Constraints:
- The PROFINET cycle time needs to be increased in the case of an additional communication load (e.g. SNMP, S7 communication)
- The PROFINET cycle time must be calculated per node
- The measurements are based on max. 48 bytes user data per PROFINET device
- Bridge mode must be activated (no routing)
Note: The table does not contain any guaranteed values, but rather theoretical points of reference for typical relations of data rate to distance for two cables. The values that can actually be achieved depend on the length, cross-section, age and quality of the cable used and the specific PROFINET configuration.
FastConnect – a cabling system gets the hang
Structured cabling is the basis of an industrial bus system or network and must fulfill much higher requirements than cabling in the office area. Stringent demands are placed on the installation of cables in the industrial environment. Siemens offers FastConnect, a system that fulfills all these requirements: on-site assembly – quick, easy and error-free.
