Selecting the right cable for your Industrial Ethernet
As manufacturers and process facilities pursue the benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0, industrial networking edge devices continue to shift to interoperable devices that integrate into existing Ethernet networks for seamless transmission of field data, streamlined network architectures and faster convergence of operational and informational technologies (IT/OT).
Following industry standards is essential to ensure proper cable/connectivity selection and installation. MICE specifications should be used to guide cable selection and ensure optimal long-term performance.
Understanding Industrial Ethernet basics and selecting cable based on relevant physical environmental factors will help realize the full potential of industrial-grade Ethernet network.
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APPLICATION
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DATA RATE
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JACKET TYPE
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SHIELDING
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BONDED vs TWISTED PAIR
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CONNECTORS
Industrial Ethernet cables designed for diverse applications, movement types, corresponding data rates and protection options.
- Mechanical Stressors. Belden Category cables support a broad range of motion requirements for industrial automation—from flexible cable options to accomodate bendability to continuous and/or complex movement & high-tension options.
- Harsh Environments. Choose from a variety of cable and jacketing options guaranteed to perform in environments with exposure to chemicals such as coolants, colorants & hydraulic oils as well as oil & mechanical abuse. FEP jacket options withstand environments with extreme ambient temperatures.
- Data Rates & Category. Ensure data transfer needs are properly matched to the appropriate category of Ethernet cable.
- Rail & Marine Applications. Belden Corrosion and Flame-Resistant cables including low-smoke/zero halogen (LSZH) meet American Bureau of Shipping standards for marine & offshore processing, and DIN EN 45545-2 for rail system requirements.
Application Summary
Data Rate Requirements for Industrial Control Networks
Belden Industrial Ethernet Cable designs are optimized to maximize data throughput and minimize internal and external interference.
The Right Jacket for the Job
Jacketing is an important consideration when choosing industrial Ethernet cable. Jacket materials such as fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) as well as non-halogen Polyethylene are designed to withstand extreme temperatures (-50°C to 125°C vs 0°C to 75° for Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Heavy, up-jacketed, aluminum armor, steel interlocked armor and other specialty options are also available.
Shielding for Industrial Automation
Industrial environments are characterized by electric noises across a variety of sources including motor drives, power lines, generators, robotic welders and radio signals, disrupting proper operation of equipment and negatively affecting network performance. Shielded and unshielded technologies have proven effective in providing noise immunity—each approach with its own strengths. The question of whether to opt for unshielded (UTP) vs shielded (FTP) Ethernet cable is largely determined by environmental considerations (e.g., proximity to high-voltage wiring/panels or generators/electrical motors, outdoor installations, essential backbone connections, etc.) and budget. If FTP cable is needed, Belden shielded cabling systems provide superior performance and reliability in even the most demanding networking environments.
Bonded vs Twisted (Non-Bonded) Pair
Most DataTuff cables feature Bonded-Pair technology, a patented cable construction which affixes the conductor insulation of cable pairs along their longitudinal axes to eliminate performance gaps between conductor pairs. With no gaps between conductor pairs, conductor-to-conductor centricity is always uniform for consistently superior electrical performance (Installable Performance®) in the harshest environments.
Cable Compatibility Chart
Field termination of Ethernet cables can be time-consuming. With a superior insulation-piercing mechanism, the Belden Industrial REVConnect field-termination system ensures the highest levels of network reliability over time. Industrial REVConnect meets all key protection ratings for harsh environments including resistance to vibration, noise, shock, electromagnetic interference and extreme operating temperatures. RJ45 connectors are designed with a flexible, universal core to guarantee compatibility with various jackets and options for pre-term cable and cores.