Whether Industrial Ethernet or classic fieldbus systems - the demands placed on the capability and performance of field cabling are increasing. While preassembled cabling systems are used in the office environment without giving it a second thought, in industry the connection must often be individually tailored to the application. In this case, it is irrelevant whether it involves an RJ45, and M12 or an SCRJ-based connection system.
Figure 1 - Whether RJ45, M12 or SCRJ - fast and cost-effective installation in the field is an absolute must.
In the future-oriented industrial environment, the boundaries between the different automation systems are becoming increasingly fuzzier. The "Integrated Automation Network" has a bracket function around the fieldbus applications - known as "the Automation Island networks" - and integrates other participants outside fieldbus systems. In addition, other devices that operate with high data transfer rates are integrated in the Automation Island for communication and data acquisition. Here the name of the game is simple and cost-effective installation.
Copper or Fiber-Optic Cable
Industrial communications frequently have to cope with harsh application conditions. When selecting components, users not only have to consider the transmission-related properties but also the environmental conditions. Will the installation be inside or outside a control cabinet? What requirements apply regarding shielding and potential bonding? These factors have a huge impact on the network reliability. Optical connections should be selected if there is no correct potential bonding system or the EMC effects generate inadmissibly high interference voltages. A comprehensive range of products, as offered by Phoenix Contact, includes the optimum solution for each and every environment.
Assembly in the Field for Copper-Based Systems
Independent of the plug connector system, the various fast connection technologies - such as QUICKON, Piercecon or spring cage - are increasingly establishing themselves. They are displacing crimp and solder connections and the classic screw connection. As copper-based Ethernet systems involve a point-to-point connection with a total maximum length of 100 m and several plug-in points, reliable and cost-effective assembly is an absolute must.
Figure 2: Insert the conductor, cut and close the flap - the RJ45 and M12 connectors facilitate fast and reliable installation.
Phoenix also offers the optimum solutions here. RJ45 QUICKON connectors, M12 QUICKON with data transmission rates of 1 gigabit per second or the 10-gigabit high-speed connectors with Pierecon and QUICKON connections are suitable for standard copper-based installation (Fig. 2). The fast connection technology allows cost-effective and reliable installation without having to use a special tool. This technology can be used for all industrial Ethernet transmission systems - from Ethernet-based field buses such as Profinet and Ethernet/IP up to the 10 gigabit Ethernet.
POF, HCS, GOF - The Reliable Connection Is What Counts
The SCRJ plug connector from Phoenix Contact is the first fiber-optic cable connector in protection classes IP20 and IP67 that can be reliably and quickly assembled in the field. It does not matter what type of fiber is used: whether polymer fiber, hard clad silica or glass fiber, the correct tool facilitates a straightforward connection even when employing sensitive technologies.
POF - Polymer Fiber
Polymer fiber is used for industrial-grade fast Ethernet cabling with transmission lengths of up to 50 meters and is therefore often installed in environments where there are machines. Polymer fibers in SCRJ connectors can be reliably and cost-effectively connected using the Cut-Tool that has been newly developed by Phoenix Contact for this purpose. After the cable has been prepared, both fibers are cut to the same length using the tool and then individually processed. A knife specifically developed for this cuts the face surface so precisely that subsequent processing is not required. This tool is also used to precisely cut-off the fibers for mounting in the ferrules in just a few simple steps. Depending on the plug connector type, only the housing has to be assembled.
Figure 3: Tool for assembling POF fibers - introduce the fiber, cut and assemble in the SCRJ ferrule, polishing is not required.
The Cut-Tool can be used with all SCRJ connectors: IP20, IP67 wing connectors or IP67 push-pull. Even traditional pre-assembled cables facilitate reliable and fast installation in the field.
HCS - Hard Clad Silica
An appropriate tool is also available for assembling HCS fibers in the field. F-SMA and SCRJ plug connector types are used for 660 nm as well as type B-FOC for 850 nm devices. Suitable connector assemblies are available for all of the commercially available plug connectors.
The assembly cases include all of the parts and components required for optimally working in the field. After the cable has been appropriately prepared, the fiber jacket is removed, the fibers cleaved using a special tool called the “cleave tool” and carefully broken. Finally, only the connector has to be assembled.
GOF - Glass Fiber
For SCRJ and SC duplex plug connectors, Phoenix Contact uses the adhesive principle for assembly in the field. The set includes all tools required for assembling these connectors in the field, which are kept in a tool pouch that has been specifically designed for this purpose. The set is easy to use even under challenging work conditions. The fibers can be connected to the connector in a convenient way: the ferrule assembly is inserted in the tool; adhesive powder is applied to the exposed fiber, and after briefly heating up the ferrule the fibers are inserted into it. The device optically and acoustically signals all of the work steps. Using the tool, the fibers are then precisely scored and broken. The operation is completed by just polishing the fiber ends.
For all assembly types - whether POF, HCS or GOF - the quality of the face surface is decisive. The handheld microscope, provided in the set, can be used to evaluate the surface quality. With these steps completed, the network can go reliably into operation.
Conclusion
State-of-the-art automation solutions overcome the boundaries between fieldbus and communication networks. Here, the use of high-speed connectors plays a decisive role. “High-speed” refers not only to a data transmission rate of 10 gigabit per second but also to the ability to be assembled in the field. This means that fit-for-the-future networks can be efficiently set up and installed in the field using QUICKON, Piercecon or SCRJ plug connectors.
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