New SPE cables from kabeltronik for networking in Industrial Ethernet
Single-pair cables for Industry 4.0: space-saving, robust and flexible
kabeltronik, the specialist for high-quality cables, enables future-oriented networking in the Industry 4.0 environment with new cables based on the Single-Pair Ethernet Standard (SPE). The "ETHERtronic PURFlex Single Pair Ethernet" cables are particularly suitable for robust and flexible connections between sensors and actuators in machine and plant engineering. ETHERtronic PURFlex can also be used where cables are permanently moved and mechanically stressed. This makes them one of the first SPE cables on the market that can be used for drag chains.
While common Ethernet or fieldbus cables usually are built of four pairs of wires for data transmission, SPE technology does the same job with just one pair of wires. The advantages are obvious: reduced weight and less installation work. Thanks to the small cable diameter, SPE can connect up to four times as many devices in the same installation space as with conventional four-pair cables. Thus SPE is an ideal solution where many sensors are installed in a confined space.
The reduced bandwidth of the single-pair lines is completely sufficient for the vast majority of applications in the Industry 4.0 environment. Simultaneous transmission of data and power (up to 50 W) via one line (Power over Data Lines = PoDL) is also possible, so sensors are supplied with energy as well.