Softing Industrial presents Ethernet-APL Field Switch at ACHEMA 2024

Softing Industrial announces the presentation of its new “aplSwitch Field” at ACHEMA 2024. This state-of-the-art 16-Port Ethernet-Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL) Field Switch with optional PROFIBUS Process Automation (PA) proxy is designed for

The “aplSwitch Field” enables the transparent connection of "Two-Wire Intrinsically Safe Ethernet" (2-WISE) Ethernet-APL field devices to higher-level Industrial Ethernet networks, providing these devices with intrinsically safe power. Additionally, the “aplSwitch Field PA” variant supports the connection of both Ethernet-APL field devices and PROFIBUS PA devices, ensuring smooth integration into existing industrial systems.

Seamless Integration and Robust Design: Advanced Features and Compatibility of “aplSwitch Field”

The “aplSwitch Field” offers easy integration into leading Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Asset Management Systems (AMS) with 16 Ethernet-APL spur "2-WISE" ports, supporting PROFINET with Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) ring topology. It is compatible with major systems like Emerson, Siemens, and ABB, ensuring stable networks through ingress/egress support. Extensive diagnostics are facilitated by integrated PROFINET functions and a local display, enhancing commissioning and maintenance processes. The “aplSwitch Field” is designed for installation in Ex Zone 2, with connectivity for field devices in Ex Zone 0 and 1. It has a robust housing with protection class IP30.

Flexible power classes and migration options: “aplSwitch Field” and “aplSwitch Field PA” variants

The “aplSwitch Field” variant supports both Power Class A and Power Class B. This ensures that field devices with higher power requirements can also be operated without any problems. The PA variant – “aplSwitch Field PA” – enables the migration of existing PA infrastructure to Ethernet-APL topology. Ethernet-APL and PROFIBUS-PA devices can be used together on one switch thanks to an integrated PROFINET proxy.

The official release date for aplSwitch Field and aplSwitch Field PA will be September 2024.