From Concept to Market: the First Ethernet-APL Field Switch for Process Automation

The simplicity for which Ethernet is known as an established communication technology in our everyday lives is the focus in the development of Ethernet-APL: the Advanced Physical Layer makes standard Ethernet technologies available for the process industry and meets users' expectations for simple, straightforward handling. Ethernet-APL is based on the robust and well-known two-wire cable and offers explosion protection with intrinsic safety as an integral part.

The existing cabling remains in place for re-use with Ethernet-APL based components, which considerably reduces the effort for modernizations or even for a complete migration from fieldbus to Ethernet. And this is where the Ethernet-APL field switch of the FieldConnex product family comes into play: in addition to Ethernet-APL, the field switch is the product that can optionally handle the Manchester Bus-powered Physical Layer (MBP) and can thus be configured quite flexibly to the installed base of PROFIBUS PA devices. It thus enables the concurrant operation of new APL and existing fieldbus field devices on a common infrastructure.

Installation is quick and easy: the interface automatically detects and adapts to the communication physics of the connected device. It transmits power and data simultaneously on a two-wire cable into hazardous areas, in compliance with the requirements of the process industry. The Switch provides up to 24 ports for connection to APL-capable instruments or already installed field devices.

This gives the user access to multiple process values from a field device, such as volume, mass, temperature and density from a flow meter. Through a single infrastructure, the Ethernet-APL field switch makes all data from the diagnostics-enabled and highly configurable devices available to multiple applications simultaneously, enabling predictive maintenance of the device, plant and process. The Ethernet-APL rail field switch is mounted on the DIN rail in control cabinets or field distributors and can be installed in zone 2, the connections for field devices are intrinsically safe for zone 2.

This first Ethernet-APL rail field switch is perfectly suited for compact systems and indoor installations. In the future, the Ethernet-APL products will include a total of three different switches that support every type of topology. The Ethernet-APL field switch, which is powered by the APL trunk for outdoor installation up to Zone 1, is designed for system layouts with a larger footprint. The third variant, the Ethernet-APL power switch, is installed in the control cabinet. It supplies the APL main line with power.

Fastest and most efficient, barrier-free communication of large data volumes from the hazardous area to the cloud

• Communication and power supply for Ethernet-APL instruments
• Point-to-point connection to field devices via Ethernet-APL or PROFIBUS PA
• Support of ring redundancy
• Control cabinet installation in Zone 2 / Division 2
• Intrinsic safety on the spurs: Ex ic IIC or Ex ia IIC