Apps and hybrid interfaces as solutions for the Integrated Industry

Hybrid cabling has been existed in the IT world for a long time. Everyone is familiar with the USB or the Power over Ethernet (PoE) standards. Using these standards, end devices are supplied with data & power, and end devices as well as their specifications are recognised automatically. With the concept of Integrated Industry – i.e. the merging of IT and automation technology – the industry is confronted with similar requirements. Hybrid supplies, e.g. combinations of data and power transmission, as well as automatic identification systems are spreading. HARTING advances with the appropriate interface solutions.

HARTING PushPull Hybrid: Ease of use, large number of variants

With Integrated Industry, data exchange at all levels is increasing. HARTING has addressed the challenges with a broad portfolio of RJ45 and M12 connectors for data transfer rates from 100 megabits to 10 gigabits per second. At the same time, the parallel transmission of data, signals and power changes the cabling structures used so far. That is why HARTING developed connectors like the HARTING PushPull Hybrid (HPPH), transmitting both signals and power. The product is considered to be among the most compact IP65 / 67 hybrid connectors in the market.

The mating face has four contacts for Ethernet in Cat. 5 (RJ45) and three additional contacts for a power supply of up to 5 ampere. The advantages are the ease of use – due to small size – and the large number of variants offered for both hoods/housings and contact inserts/mating faces. There are, for example, data interfaces that use several transmission media in parallel, such as copper, fibre optic cables (made of quartz glass or plastic) or compressed air.

One connector, different types of transmission

With the further establishment of the Industrial Ethernet, more and more customized solutions will be required. The simultaneous transmission of data and energy via one cable or connector is becoming increasingly attractive. Moreover, the connectors themselves become smarter as they adopt diagnostic and monitoring functions – by means of application programs. In order to make this development possible, some generally accepted standards are required. Therefore, it is important to (re-)define the connections between machines, systems and components with regard to the concept of Integrated Industry. The ideas of the companies in this respect are very heterogeneous. That is why HARTING continuously coordinates with other users, manufacturers and user organisations in this field.

Applications with “smart” power boxes show, where the market is headed. The boxes provide Ethernet connectivity in combination with power supply. This results in a much simpler and cheaper wiring in the field – if compared to the typically used terminal blocks. With the help of an app or OPC-UA, the box can receive data from end devices and, at the same time, supply the components with power. In addition, the application monitors power consumption, which simplifies diagnostics in maintenance and service.

PoE: Doubled transmission power

Power over Ethernet (PoE) has been used in the IT world to connect Ethernet devices such as hard disks and WLAN adapters. The corresponding IEEE standard 802.3af-2003 for the parallel transmission of energy and data via twisted pair cable has long been established. In the meantime HARTING has more than doubled the transmissible power with the PoE + standard (IEEE 802.3at) – e.g. at Ha-VIS eCon to 34.2 W – and created space for new applications.