How important is a switch to an installation?

Even down to the field. It is therefore important to always use the right components in these automated systems for a durable and reliable connection. Switches are an important link in this.

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Murrelektronik therefore has a suitable switch for every application: from simple unmanaged-  and high-quality managed switches to the latest PoE Switches. But when is which switch used? A brief overview.

Unmanaged switches

Unmanaged switches are used when Ethernet-based signals need to be connected in simple installations. This can be done in the cabinet with IP20 switches but also in the field with IP67 solutions. No settings can be made on these switches and no diagnostic information is available. Important with these switches is the price-performance ratio.

Play the switch game and test your knowledge.

Managed switches

In some cases, diagnostic information is of value. Consider, for example, information about network load (per port), statistics about the length of network messages, any failures, speed, who is connected to which port of a switch. In that case, managed switches come into the picture. A managed switch has a built-in Web server that can be used to make settings. Also, ports can be turned on and off which prevents access to the production network via free ports. Especially in PROFINET networks, a managed PROFINET switch is important and is therefore prescribed by the PROFINET association. Here too, Murrelektronik has a wide range and choices of switches for cabinet mounting (IP20) with RJ45 connection, and for field mounting (IP67) with M12 D-code connection.

PoE switches

A new member of Murrelektronik's switch family are the Power Over Ethernet Switches (PoE). The advantage of these switches is that PoE cameras and PCs can be directly connected with just one cable, This is an important advantage when installing these components.