Softing Industrial Presents Ethernet-APL Field Switch at the SPS 2024 in Nuremberg

Softing Industrial is presenting the aplSwitch Field, a state-of-the-art solution for process automation, at this year's SPS trade fair in Nuremberg.

The 16-port Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL) Field Switch in Ingress Protection 30 (IP 30) design offers seamless Ethernet connectivity from the application to the field level. It is specially designed for use in Ex Zone 2.

The aplSwitch Field enables the direct connection of Industrial Ethernet networks to intrinsically safe Ethernet-APL field devices via a 2-Wire Intrinsically Safe Ethernet (2-WISE) connection. At the same time, it ensures safe power supply for the field devices. The extended version aplSwitch Field PA allows the integration of PROFIBUS PA devices. This enables a smooth connection between legacy and new technologies.

Maximum compatibility and reliability for process industry networks

With support for PROFINET and Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP), the aplSwitch Field can be easily integrated into leading systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Asset Management Systems (AMS). Integrated diagnostic functions and a local display simplify commissioning and maintenance. A field device integration package (FDI package) is also included. The switch is intended for use in Ex Zone 2 and offers connectivity for field devices up to Ex Zones 0 and 1.

Ready for greenfield and brownfield projects

The aplSwitch Field variant without PA Proxy supports both power classes A and B on four of the 16 spur ports, making it suitable for field devices with higher power requirements. The PA variant enables the simultaneous use of Ethernet-APL and PROFIBUS PA devices, simplifying the transition to an Ethernet-APL topology in existing plants.

Information about aplSwitch:

https://industrial.softing.com/products/ethernet-apl-switches.html

Information about Softing at SPS 2024 trade fair:

https://industrial.softing.com/softing-industrial-at-sps.html