Sensor / Ethernet / Bus
Patch cables for industry
Industrial patch cables are network cables that are used in industry. Accordingly, they fulfil the purpose of connecting network components with each other. These can be servers, computers and other devices that require reliable data transmission in the industrial sector. The industrial patch cable is a special Ethernet cable and a form of industrial Ethernet cable. It enables a stable Ethernet connection in industry - even under harsh conditions. As a rule, industrial patch cables are RJ45 cables, as RJ45 connectors are most commonly used to establish Ethernet connections.
Where are industrial patch cables used?
Industrial patch cables are a type of industrial cabling and are used as industrial Ethernet cables to connect network devices in the industrial sector. As patch cables are also known as LAN cables, the term industrial LAN cable is also commonly used for industrial patch cables. The cables are used indoors and outdoors, for example:
- as a patch cable in the control cabinet
- as a patch cable on the machine or on systems
- for cabling event technology
- for connecting computers and switches
Ethernet cables can also be drag-chain-compatible and therefore suitable for mobile applications. Fields of application here include robotics or automated production lines. This is because the Ethernet cables are particularly flexible and can withstand movements caused by the use of a drag chain. The series of RJ45 Industrial Ethernet cables from the manufacturer Harting has proven itself for the cabling of data networks under challenging conditions.
What is the difference to "normal" patch cables?
Industrial LAN cables are highly flexible and particularly robust compared to "normal" patch cables. Ethernet cables for industrial applications can be resistant to moisture, vibration and extreme temperature fluctuations. Industrial patch cables can also be suitable for drag chains. Modern industrial patch cables are usually halogen-free. In the event of a fire, no toxic gases are released. Modern industrial Ethernet plugs and cables are network cables of the highest quality.
How many cores does an industrial patch cable have?
Industrial Ethernet cables are RJ45 cables with RJ45 plugs at both ends. However, M12 connectors can also be found on industrial patch cables. Patch cables/network cables always have 4 pairs, i.e. 8 cores. Which data transmission is possible is classified as Cat5 to Cat8.
What shielding is available for industrial patch cables?
Industrial Ethernet cables offer different options in terms of shielding. The following types of shielding are common:
- U/UTP (unshielded/unshielded twisted pair)
- S/FTP (shielded/foiled twisted pair)
- F/FTP (foiled/foiled twisted pair)
The shielding that a LAN cable for industry should have depends, among other things, on the area of application of the industrial cable and the requirements of this environment.
How long can an industrial patch cable be?
How long an industrial Ethernet cable can be depends on its category and the desired transmission speed.
- For Cat 5, the upper limit is 10/100 Mbit/s with a bandwidth of up to 100 MHz over 100 metres.
- Cat 5e goes up to 1000 Mbit/s with a bandwidth of up to 250 MHz over 100 metres.
- Cat 6 cables can reach speeds of up to 1000Mbit/s over 100m.
- Cat 6a cables can reach speeds of up to 10,000Mbit/s over 100m.
- Cat 7 and Cat 8 cables cap out at 10,000Mbit/s and 40,000Mbit/s at up to 600 MHz and 2000 MHz bandwidth over 100m and 30m respectively.
What are the differences between the various Cat categories?
The common categories into which industrial patch cables are categorised are
- Cat5 industrial patch cables
- Cat5e industrial patch cables
- Cat6 industrial patch cables
- Cat6a industrial patch cables
- Cat7 industrial patch cables
- Cat8 industrial patch cables
The categories differ mainly in terms of shielding, bandwidth and transmission speed. Category Cat5industrial patch cables support transmission speeds of up to 10/100 Mbit/s und eine and a bandwidth of 100 MHz. Compared to Cat5e patch cables, they are not suitable for gigabit networks. Cat6 industrial patch cables support transmission speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s and a bandwidth of 250 MHz. They offer better shielding against electromagnetic interference. Cat6a cables are suitable for up to 10-Gigabit-Ethernet networks and offer even better shielding. Cat7 industrial patch cables also support transmission speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s,but with a bandwidth of 600 MHz..They are suitable for 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks.
When do you need a crossover cable?
Crossover cables for industry are used where devices of the same type, for example two computers, are connected to each other. Certain pins or cable cores are swapped on one of the RJ45 plugs of the industrial cable.
An example of a patch cable with crossover assignment for Gigabit Ethernet RJ45: The TD+ contact on one connector is connected to the RD+ contact on the other connector. The contacts are crossed. Crossover cables are used, for example, when two computers, switches or hubs are connected directly to each other.
When do you need a twisted pair cable?
Twisted pair cables are cables in which wire pairs are twisted. A twisted pair cable for industrial applications can be used to connect computers to a switch, a hub or a router, for example. An example of an RJ45 patch cable with 1:1 assignment: The TD+ contact on one connector is connected to the same TD+ contact on the other connector. Patch cables with 1:1 assignment connect switches to the computer, among other things.