The world’s

Shaping the first switch that

Future. brings Ethernet
into the field of
process plants.

Ethernet-APL Rail Field Switch—

the Latest FieldConnex® Innovation
Technology
Ethernet APL: Shaping the Future
of Process Industries
Industry 4.0—for ten years now, the future shape of industry has been at the center
of developments in the automation industry. In factory automation, Industry 4.0
applications are now part of everyday work—not least due to the use of Ethernet as a
communication standard. The technology is now on the verge of becoming a feasible
option for the process industry—and with it access to IIoT applications.

Barrier-Free Communication for Industry 4.0 Applications

Industry 4.0 applications and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) require system architectures with
continuous, direct communication across all levels of the automation system. Ethernet can quickly
transmit large amounts of data in real time, making it the ideal technology for this purpose. However,
it has not yet been possible to use Ethernet for process automation instrumentation due to a number
of physical hurdles such as cables that are too short, a lack of supply to the connected devices, and,
above all, a lack of explosion-protection concepts.

More information More information

online in the video

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Together Toward a New Standard

To open up Ethernet for use in process automation, the physical industry while offering the simple, straightforward handling
layer of the communication system must be standardized— expected by users. For the first time, this enables the use of
this is the goal of a recently completed development by well- modern Ethernet technology in hazardous areas up to
known manufacturers and associations, including Pepperl+Fuchs, Zone 0/Class 1, Div. 1—and continuous communication from the
which is unique in the process industry to date: the Ethernet field of the process plant to the process control system and
Advanced Physical Layer, or Ethernet-APL for short. to the cloud.

The focus of this cooperation is simplicity, as Ethernet is an

established part of our everyday lives. It fulfills all the central
requirements for process plants such as long cable runs, From Hazardous Areas to the Cloud—
two-wire cables for communication and power supply, rugged Barrier-Free and Highly Efficient Communication
terminals, explosion protection with integrated intrinsic safety,
and interoperability. In other words, Ethernet-APL makes it ■ The quickest and most efficient way to continuously
possible to use standard Ethernet technologies in the process communicate large amounts of data from hazardous
areas to the cloud—barrier-free
■ Increased availability of process plants
■ Simple and cost-effective plant modernization
■ Flexible applications worldwide

Highlights

■ Detection range of up to 1000 m

(spur of up to 200 m, trunk of up to 1000 m)
■ Supply of up to 50 field devices with up to 60 W
■ High-speed communication:
10 Mbit/s, full-duplex
■ Download of approx. 100 configuration parameters in
just a few seconds per field device
■ Intrinsic safety protection is easy to implement

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Ethernet-APL
Simple Ethernet—Multipurpose Applications
and Efficient Integration

A key benefit of Ethernet-APL is the preservation of

existing installations and instrumentation—for the
decades-long runtimes of process plants typical in
the process industry, this represents enormous
savings during migration. With Ethernet-APL, field
devices can be connected directly to all common
Ethernet-based systems. There is no longer a need
for network transitions or interfaces and the
complex configuration processes they required.

Reduced Planning and Time

Ethernet APL supports the trunk-and-spur topology established

in process automation and specifies standard type A fieldbus The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex® is the
cables, allowing plant operators to use their existing cabling. enabler for:
Ethernet-APL works as the physical layer for any industrial
Ethernet protocols such as EtherNet/IP, HART IP, OPC UA, and ■ Joint operation of PROFIBUS PA and PROFINET on one
PROFINET. There is no need to plan and implement protocol infrastructure
transitions. ■ Easy operation and simplified upgrade processes
■ Quick access to complex device data
The Ethernet-APL rail field switch supports both field devices ■ Synchronized configuration of field devices for optimized
with an APL interface and conventional fieldbus devices. It asset management
automatically detects if a PROFIBUS PA device is connected ■ Automatic detection of field devices
instead of an Ethernet field device and translates the data
into PROFINET. This enables mixed operation of different
technologies on one infrastructure and therefore a step-by-
step migration as part of the FieldConnex® APL concept.
This allows plant operators to take advantage of Ethernet
communication and the wealth of information from field
devices and sensors without having to completely convert the
plant.

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Unique Insight into Plant Status via Ethernet-APL

Ethernet-APL enables full access to instrumentation in Companies can therefore gain new information and additional
parallel—which can be used completely independently of insights about the field devices that are relevant to digitalization.
each other by engineering, asset management, and the The parallel access that Ethernet-APL provides is in line with
control system. This offers high ease of use, as new devices NAMUR requirements. Within the framework of NAMUR Open
can be automatically assigned in the system by reading Architecture (NOA), NAMUR has specified how users should
out the address and identifier as soon as they have been obtain data from the field.
commissioned.
In addition to the convenience already described and the
Users can therefore easily access diagnostic data for the devices associated reduced effort, this software-supported device
and the entire installation. To illustrate this with an example: management offers further advantages: The susceptibility to
A service technician can use a mobile end device, such as a errors during operation is lowered because repetitive, manual
smartphone or tablet, to read out the status of the field devices activities are significantly reduced. As a result, companies can
from anywhere to prepare and plan any required interventions reduce their maintenance costs while increasing the reliability
in a targeted manner. Automatic neighborhood and topology of devices and plants.
detection provide additional support when replacing devices.
Device configurations are automatically backed up or the
configuration is simply transferred to the new device. Furthermore,
an infrastructure based on Ethernet-APL offers another
advantage: software updates can be managed and installed
automatically in the future.

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Ethernet-APL Rail Field Switch
The First Ethernet-APL Field Switch
for Process Automation
The digital transformation is reaching the field level in process plants:
The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex® is the first switch
in process automation to enable direct, quick, barrier-free access to
field devices via Ethernet-APL.

Ethernet-APL Rail Switch Attribute

Type code ARS11 with proxy, ARS12 without

PROFIBUS PA devices Automatic detection with built-in proxy

Intrinsic safety Ex ic IIC and Ex ia llC on spur port

Number of spur ports 8, 16, 24 can be selected

Connector Screw or spring terminal can be selected

Installation Switch cabinet installation in Zone 2/Div. 2

Voltage supply External, 20 – 60 V DC

Media redundancy Ring redundancy in the

company network
PROFINET redundancy S2 system redundancy

Network management Yes, layer 3 with PROFINET

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IIoT Applications for the Process Industry Highlights

The Ethernet-APL rail field switch has been designed with For the first time, Ethernet can be used in
intrinsic safety explosion protection, Ex ic IIC, which allows hazardous areas
Ethernet in hazardous areas of Zone 2 and Division 2. It is
mounted on the DIN mounting rail. In addition, the switch is the More availability through direct access to all
only product in the world that supports the Manchester diagnostic data simultaneously
Bus-powered Physical Layer (MBP) alongside Ethernet-APL
and can therefore be easily added to the existing base of Preservation of existing field devices
PROFIBUS PA devices. reduces costs

Highly efficient electronics achieve optimal

heat management

Integrated intrinsic safety and familiar two-

wire cable facilitate easy installation

Concept with two physical layers allows

cost-effective plant modernization

More information
online

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Concepts and Applications
More Information. More Availability.
More Efficiency.
Always the right choice: The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex®
is designed to be a cost-effective solution for any industry, for any process
plant, and for any topology.

Investment Protection and Cost-Effectiveness Integrated Diagnostics for the Installation

The Ethernet-APL rail field switch makes it possible to operate The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex® features
existing and new field devices at the same time via a common integrated diagnostics for the physical layer. This allows users
infrastructure. Old and new technologies are used in parallel, to monitor the installation itself at all times and to intervene
which not only protects the investment in existing equipment early in the event of a fault—an important performance feature
technology—individual measuring points can be equipped with that ensures smooth operation and prevents unwanted
new functions or quick communication in a targeted manner, downtime.
if required.

Ethernet-APL rail field switch in a terminal box. Installation in Zone 2/Div. 2.

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Ideal for Star Topology

The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex® is designed ■ Cable lengths of up to 200 m to the field device
for star topologies typically used in compact or indoor ■ Indoor installations such as in the chemical and
installations. It has the following features and meets these pharmaceutical industry
requirements: ■ Installation of the switches in switch cabinets or
junction boxes
■ Ethernet redundancy at the plant level
■ Explosion protection for all hazardous areas

More information
online

9
Ethernet and Fieldbus Infrastructure
FieldConnex®—Present in All Process
Industry Markets
Maximum power, seamless safety, and maximum plant availability: These are the features
that have firmly established FieldConnex® as the technology of choice for fieldbus
infrastructures in the process industry. With solutions that are tailored to their requirements
down to the finest detail—across all industries and geared to the future.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Maximum transparency, maximum availability, and plant safety: Another crucial advantage: FieldConnex® ensures quick,
These are the main requirements in the process industry. seamless integration into the control technology and that the
FieldConnex® from Pepperl+Fuchs offers impressive innovative installation is simple to use. It is state-of-the-art technology
diagnostic functions, which immediately display any errors— in every aspect, providing maximum availability and safety for
the electrical installation/infrastructure for digital communication process plants—and continuous innovation.
is seamlessly transparent and at the same time very easy to use.

More information
online

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The Path to Digital Communication

FieldConnex® enables users to take the next step toward The first generation of Ethernet-APL-enabled switches
the future with its latest innovation, the Ethernet-APL rail field marks the first step of FieldConnex® products toward IIoT
switch. In addition to the capabilities for IIoT applications, and therefore makes an important contribution to digital
it features all the typical FieldConnex® characteristics that transformation in the process industry—further innovative
facilitate simple assembly of fieldbus installations: components will follow.

■ Robustness
■ Extended temperature range
■ Use in hazardous areas
■ Explosion protection with intrinsic safety

Let’s Start Together.

Interested?
Please feel free to contact us.

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