Intelligent Power Distribution 
Power Supply DC 
EMC Suppressors 
Transformers 
UPS-Systems / Buffer- / Redundancy Modules 
Converters / Rectifiers 
Optocouplers / Semiconductors 
Active Interface Technology 
Passive Interface Technology 
Eurocard Holders / Control Modules 
Control Cabinet Power Outlets 
EMC Filters 
Safety relay 
Relay Modules 
Switches 
Front Panel Interfaces 
Control Cabinet Interfaces 
Pass-through 
Lighting Elements 
Control Devices 
Modular Connection Systems (Modlink Vario) 
Heavy Duty Connectors (Modlink Heavy) 
Cable entry systems 
With open ended wires 
Connection cables 
Y connector 
Valve Connectors 
Field-wireable 
T-coupler 
Flange Connectors 
Bulk cable 
Adapter 
Tool 
Accessories 
Cube67 
Cube20 
Cube20S 
xtremeDB 
IO-Link Devices 
Connectivity Solutions for Cameras 
MVK Metal 
Impact67 
Impact20 
MASI 
M8 Distribution Systems 
M12 Distribution Systems 
Switch (Network Component)
What is a Switch?
A switch is a connection element in a network. In industrial application the switch creates the connection between Ethernet participants in a machine, network segment and the control unit (SPS). If the switch is set up appropriately field bus participants can be connected as well. A big advantage of the switch is the connection of participants via standardized connectors such as M12 or RJ45 and common protocols of Industrial Ethernet such as Profinet for managed switches. A switch saves addresses of connected network participants in an automized process. Data packages are only forwarded to the participants which they are intended for. Physical inputs and outputs of the switch are called ports. Usually they are equipped with standardized connectors such as M12 or RJ45. Switches are available with several different numbers of ports such as: PoE Switch 4 Port, PoE Switch 8 Port and 6 Port PoE Switch. In Gigabit networks Gigabit Switch 8 Port and Gigabit Switch 16 Port may be used.
Which Versions of Switches are there?
A switch has to comply to different types of requirements in an industrial application. Therefore a number of different designs are available. They can be found in the product line up of Murrelektronik. There is a PROFINET capable switch, a PoE switch for simultaneous transfer of data and energy in the network cable, a Gigabit switch for high data rates and the differentiation managed switch and unmanaged switch. Switch versions for use in the control cabinet (IP20) and in the field (IP67) are available. The selection of the right switch is mainly determined by the performance and the manageability of the network. The following paragraphs include short definitions of each switch version.
How can I connect my Switch?
Here you can find an overview of our connectors for switches:
Product OverviewPROFINET Switch
PROFINET is part of the Industrial Ethernet- standards and is the updated version of PROFIBUS. A PROFINET switch connects PROFINET participants and PROFINET network segments with a higher level of the network such as an SPS or a central computer with a NAT switch connected upstream of it. A NAT switch is used for splitting of IP address areas in a company network. It is a protection against address conflicts.
PROFINET allows you to realize the concept of a decentralized periphery. Instead of many single lines only the main line of the PROFINET switch is connected to the control unit. The switch can be mounted close to IO devices. The longer the main line the less effort is needed since only the main line has to be wired.
PROFINET enables you to use the advantages of Industrial Ethernet in contrast to a traditional field bus system. New PROFINET devices can be easily integrated by PROFINET baptism and neighbourhood detection. Device characteristics are written in the language GSDML in GSD files. TIA-Portal offers professional support for the configuration. During launch the data for addressing and configuration is automatically adopted from the controller.
PROFINET capable switches allow control of data traffic to increase the performance of the network. Data packages (Frames) of PROFINET devices are prioritized over Ethernet Frames and forwarded with priority. This is used in industrial real time applications which require frames to pass the network with high speed to ensure safe operation.
PoE Switch
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is a standardized process which allows power for connected devices to be transmitted via an Ethernet cable. PoE lowers the personnel costs needed for wiring and lowers the capacity used in cable channels. PoE Switches are available with a different number of poles such as: PoE Switch 4 Port, 6 Port PoE Switch and PoE Switch 8 Port.
Power-over-Ethernet can be used when PoE capable devices like PoE cameras and Panel PCs are to be connected. Power-over-Ethernet permits the use of eight core standard cables with an RJ45 connection. The power transmitted via the Ethernet cable is limited by the heat of the cable. The heat reduces the signal and the maximum transmission length is decreased. Heating and transmittable power is dependent on the characteristics of the cable type. This includes the category, the shield and the material. A careful design of the wiring is required to ensure the transmission. The procedure for wiring of PoE networks can be found in up to date versions of standards such as ISO/IEC TS 29125.
During the process of planning a power input has to be put in a suitable location of the network. Centralization of the power supply by use of Power-over-Ethernet simplifies the safety features by using a USV system.
Managed Switch
The configuration of a managed switch is conducted manually by a specialist. Therefore installation, functionality and maintenance of the switch and the connected network components can be easily individualized. Ports and devices can be configured. Installation and administration can easily be conducted via a central webserver. Copying of parametrization simplifies the installation.
Managed Switches support diagnosis of the network and errors which may appear. By use of a mirror port data communication can be accessed. This allows to conduct predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance is more and more important in mechanical engineering. It relies on timely and rapid data acquisition and timely evaluation of the data. Therefore an industrial managed switch can be used to increase the reliability of the network.
If an industrial managed switch is equipped with RSTP it can deactivate redundant paths of a network. If paths fail due to an error, RSTP is able to activate the matching redundant paths if required. Managed switches allow remote maintenance of connected devices. This improves the quality of maintenance for machines and plants. Depending on the size of a plant remote maintenance can also safe money for travel time which would be needed for in person maintenance.
Unmanaged Switch
In contrast to a managed switch, an unmanaged switch is able to be automatically integrated and launched in a network by Plug-and-Play. The device knows its environment independently and does not have to be configured manually. This saves time during installation and launch of the switch. A broken device can be replaced without a specialist. A decrease of the downtime for connected machines and plants increases the monetary advantage.
An industrial unmanaged switch may be a more affordable alternative than a managed switch. Personnel required for installation and launch is much lower. Unmanaged switches increase the number of available ports in the network. Flexibility for connection of new IO devices and network segments is increased. Unmanaged switches can not have a controlling function since they have no access to data traffic like the mirror port of a managed switch.
Unmanaged switches with PoE can be used for simultaneous transfer of data and power for connected devices. The installation in an existing infrastructure is simplified if an industrial unmanaged switch with PoE can be used with standard network voltages such as 24 V and 48 V.
Gigabit Switch
A tendency for higher data rates which allows connection of powerful devices such as Ethernet capable cameras into networks can be found even in industrial applications. A transmission in the Gigabit sector (1 Gigabit/s = 1.000 Megabit/s) creates high requirements for network hardware. Connection of participants and segments in a Gigabit network requires switches which can process high data rates.
The number of ports is an important feature when selecting a Gigabit switch. Gigabit Switch 8 Port and Gigabit Switch 16 Port are available. There is a distinction between Gigabit switches with a combination of 2 x 8 Ports and switches which are equipped with 16 real Ports.
Data transfer in the Industrial Ethernet is processed by use of data packages which are called Frames. Frames have a standardized size which limits the size of transmittable data. An important performance feature of a Gigabit switch is the ability to transfer Jumbo-Frames. Jumbo-Frames are longer than standardized frames and can be used for transfer of large amounts of data.
Due to a prioritization in the virtual LAN (VLAN) the control of the data traffic via the switches integrated in the network is improved.
