What is the Industrial Switch?
Industrial switches, also known as industrial Ethernet switches, were developed to meet the specific requirements of industrial networks, which were not originally considered in the design of standard Ethernet. When deployed in industrial environments, network devices face harsh working conditions and significant electromagnetic interference, posing great challenges to the stability of commercial switches. In response to this, industrial Ethernet switches with high reliability, stability, and security have emerged as powerful transmission tools that can adapt to complex industrial environments and facilitate the deployment of industrial automation networks.
Industrial switches offer advantages over regular commercial switches due to their ability to withstand harsh working environments, a wide range of product options, and flexible port configurations, meeting the diverse needs of industrial control fields. With the rapid development of industries such as power, metallurgy, petrochemicals, environmental protection, transportation, and construction, there is an increasing demand for industrial Ethernet switches in various sectors’ information technology infrastructure.
Let us take a look at the advantages of industrial switches.
Advantages of Industrial Switch
1. Industrial Grade Switch Components
Industrial switches require high standards for component selection and must undergo rigorous testing in harsh environments. They are designed to excel in industrial-grade environments and support a wide range of industrial applications under adverse conditions. By using industrial-grade components, these switches can effectively adapt to demanding environments and ensure reliable and stable performance.
2. Ring Network and Redundancy
Industrial switches typically feature fast ring and fast redundancy functions, with system redundancy times of less than 50ms. While commercial switches can also be used to create redundant networks, their self-recovery time exceeds 10-30s, which is insufficient for industrial environments. For example, our industrial ring switches are specifically designed with a self-recovery time is less than 20ms, ensuring quick network restoration in case of failures. These fast recovery capabilities are crucial in industrial settings where downtime can result in significant production losses or safety risks.
3. Anti-interference performance
Industrial switches exhibit exceptional resistance to interference. They are designed to operate reliably in harsh electromagnetic environments. These switches often have high protection ratings in terms of lightning protection, water resistance, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and electrostatic discharge protection. In contrast, commercial-grade switches do not possess these features and are not engineered to withstand such demanding conditions. The robust design and specialized shielding of industrial switches ensure their performance remains stable and uninterrupted, even in the presence of strong electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for industrial environments where electrical noise and interference are common.
4. Operating Environment
Industrial switches usually use corrugated metal enclosures, which provide better heat dissipation and stronger protection. They are designed to operate reliably within a wide temperature range of -40°C to +75°C, allowing them to withstand extreme temperature variations and humidity levels. In contrast, commercial switches are typically designed to operate within a narrower temperature range of 0°C to +50°C, which may not meet the requirements of working in harsh weather conditions. The robust construction and wider temperature tolerance of industrial switches make them suitable for deployment in environments with challenging temperature and humidity conditions, ensuring their performance remains stable and uninterrupted.
5. Redundant Power Supply
The redundant power supply is a crucial feature of industrial switches. Power outage faults often account for more than 35% of equipment failures. To mitigate the inconvenience caused by power interruptions, industrial switches employ dual power supply redundancy, ensuring stable and reliable operation of the system. In contrast, commercial switches use a single AC power supply, which is not suitable for applications in industrial environments where power reliability is critical. By incorporating redundant power supplies, industrial switches can maintain continuous operation even if one power source fails, minimizing downtime and enhancing the overall reliability of the network infrastructure.
6. Service Life
Industrial switches are built with industrial-grade solutions, ensuring higher reliability and longer lifespan compared to commercial switches. From the materials used in their enclosures to the components they incorporate, industrial switches are designed to withstand the rigors of industrial environments and provide extended operational lifetimes. Typically, industrial switches have a lifespan of over 10 years, while regular commercial switches typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years. The robust construction, superior components, and rigorous testing of industrial switches contribute to their longevity, making them a reliable and durable choice for industrial applications.
Conclusion
In summary, industrial switches offer significant advantages as robust transmission tools for industrial automation networks. With their industrial-grade components, they provide high reliability, stability, and security. Industrial switches can withstand harsh environments, resist interference, and feature fast ring and redundancy capabilities. Their durable construction, wide temperature range, and redundant power supply design contribute to their longevity and reliability. In industries such as power, metallurgy, petrochemicals, and transportation, industrial switches meet the demand for reliable and efficient data transmission. Overall, industrial switches play a vital role in industrial control and automation, ensuring reliable connectivity for industrial networks.
