Pepperl+Fuchs shows first switch with Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer

The name Ethernet-APL (Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer) will no doubt ring a bell in the process industry, as it combines two well-known technologies: Ethernet providing seamless, parallel communication and robust two-wire technology combined with explosion protection ´in the field´ within the process plant. Ethernet-APL thus enables the digitization of instrumentation. 

Ethernet-APL improves network communications in this particular environment. This standardization for Ethernet on the familiar two core cable, powered by twelve well-known vendors, enables long cable lengths, power supply and explosion protection with intrinsic safety as integral components. Ethernet-APL eliminates barriers to data flow and helps all stakeholders in the plant life cycle to simplify designs, get plants up and running faster, keep them running better and thus better manage risk.

Now that the standardization process is over, the technology is becoming available to both suppliers and users. The collaboration has also resulted in conformance testing to which manufacturers are subjected. This ensures interoperability and generates a high level of reliability. The first components with this structure are now available, the Ethernet- APL Rail-Field Switch being a prime example. This DIN-rail mountable field switch can be installed in Zone 2. The connections (Spur) for field devices can be up to 200 m long, and are intrinsically safe for Zone 2 (Ex ic). FieldConnex stands for highly reliable digital communication in the process plant area and first-class support from the experts at Pepperl+Fuchs.

Highlights:
● Detection range up to 1,000 m: spur up to 200 m, trunk up to 1,000 m.
● Power supply for a total of 50 field devices at up to 60 W.
● High transfer rates: 10 Mbit/s, full-duplex (FDX);
● Download about 100 configuration parameters per field device in just a few seconds.
● Easy to implement intrinsic safety.
● Simultaneous transmission of data and power over the same two-core cable.