Recommendation for installing the Ethernet cabling

This chapter lists the most important points for Ethernet cabling to achieve trouble-free Ethernet operation in the industrial environment of the plant.

  • Cable quality (material, damping, cable layout, shielding of the wires)
  • Connector quality (fit, shielding, cable suitability)
  • Maximum cable length: 100 m
  • Cable cross section (AWG26/7 to AWG22/1; 7 wires 0.14 2 (stranded wire) to 0.34 mm2 (rigid)
  • Shielding of cables and end devices (shielded Ethernet cables according to EN 50288-1)
  • Maximum 4 intermediate connections
  • Ambient temperature (20 – 60 °C, specified)
  • Environmental influences (mechanical influences, EMC, installation in cable carriers)
  • Sufficient equipotential bonding between the stations

In the EtherCAT® application area, only the connection performance of 100 Mbit Fast Ethernet according to EN 50173 class D (up to 100 MHz) is required. To achieve this performance class, only Ethernet components from EN 50173 cat. 5 are permitted. If the cables are routed through walls or when using double couplings, these components must comply with EN 50173 cat. 6 to achieve class D performance.

In the Industrial Fast Ethernet sector, 4‑wire twisted‑pair cables are preferred. This must be observed during the acceptance test. The assignment of a 4‑core twisted‑pair cable is recommended according to TIA‑568B (1, 2, 3, 6 plus shield).