top of page
Writer's pictureKyra Tan

How to understand industrial Ethernet cable requirements?

Updated: Apr 23


Ethernet is important in today's automation systems, transporting data at high rates. The digital performance of the network is affected by the active devices within it, such as switches and controllers.
Ethernet is important in transmitting data through automation systems at high speeds. The digital performance of a network depends on active devices such as switches and controllers. However, wireless devices, such as cables and connectors, ultimately determine the performance of your network. The frequency of a component determines its performance.



gigabit cable
For example, Cat 5 cable operates at frequencies up to 100MHz. This cable is also suitable for 100Mbit applications using two-pair cable and Gigabit (1,000Mbit) applications when using four-pair cable with the correct connectors. It's easy to confuse MHz performance with Mbit.

Category

Frequency Range

Cat5/5e

100mhz

cat 6

350mhz

cat6a

500mhz


Cables in higher categories (categories) meet all transmission characteristics of lower categories and provide additional performance margin in a given application.

Conductor size
Stranded Ethernet cables do not have the same performance characteristics as solid conductors. This is important when distance is a factor. Ethernet wires are typically 26 and 24AWG. When high data rates are required over long distances, it is best to use the largest size.
The Profinet standard introduces 22AWG cable, which offers significant transmission performance advantages over 26 and 24AWG cable.

Complete segment lengths up to 100 meters are possible using stranded or solid cable types. Three types are defined in the Profinet standard - fixed, flexible, and special application.
Care should be taken to select the correct RJ45 connector when using 22AWG cable, as many cables are not compatible with the increased wire size and larger outer diameter of the Profinet cable.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Spare wires in Ethernet cables can be used to power Ethernet devices.
Wire size is essential in calculating voltage drop in PoE applications. It's also important to consider cable selection.

Cable selection
Industrial environments require suitable cables with more robust construction than those used in office environments.
Materials such as polyurethane (PUR) are often used to provide resistance to mineral oils and high wear resistance. They are also halogen-free.
Ethernet cables are available with solid conductors and are suitable for static applications only.
Stranded conductors usually seven strands are suitable for flexible applications.
Highly stranded connectors typically 19 strands are suitable for continuous mobile applications.

When using the 22AWG cable, select the correct RJ45 connector as many connectors are not compatible with the larger outer diameter of the Profinet cable.


Acewo Cable provides high quality industrial vision cable , such as camera link cable , m12 cable , gigabit ethernet cable, usb3.0 data cable for industrial cable .

3 views0 comments

Related Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page