Belden has expanded its data acquisition and transmission and data orchestration and management product lines to include numerous exciting products. These products include new cabling, power supplies, patch panels, and software designed to support secure, reliable operation in mission-critical environments.
Belden has redesigned the Lumberg Automation M12 power solution as part of its updated data acquisition and transmission portfolio. Image used courtesy of Belden
Data Acquisition and Transmission
Included in Belden’s new data acquisition and transmission products are a new fiber patch panel (FiberExpress XHD Fiber Patch Panel) that supports increased fiber density and new cabling and connector solutions.
The Belden EN-IEC rated LSZH RS485 AWG18 cables are designed to support longer RS-485 cabling runs with less voltage drop across their length. These will function as an alternative to existing RS-485 cables that suffer from limited cable length, leading to time-consuming repeats and error corrections. These new cables meet BACnet MS/TP standards, making them easy to integrate with existing hardware and reliable for delivering power and data to control hardware.
Belden is also offering new fire alarm cables that are armored. Armored cables can provide safe and reliable communication without the need to run conduit. This saves money and effort without sacrificing performance during hazardous situations.
Belden has also redesigned a line of M12 connectors. The Lumberg Automation M12 Power Solution connectors have been redesigned to provide secure, reliable connection for harsh, demanding environments.
Belden adds Hirschmann RPSS power supplies to the data orchestration and management portfolio. Image used courtesy of Belden
Data Orchestration and Management
In terms of data orchestration and management, Belden has added several new software and hardware solutions. New software offerings include a firewall update for supporting the Siemens S7 and S7 Plus modules, the PROVISE Planner suite for cable planning and visualization, and CloudRail.OS, which can run with full functionality in data centers and on virtually any type of hardware.
The Hirschmann EAGLE40-03 HiSecOS v05.200 is a firewall upgrade that allows for DPI enforcer modules to support the popular Siemens S7 and S7 Plus PLCs. The DPI enforcer can scan packets and ensure safe, secure operation.
On the hardware end, they now offer a new power supply series (Hirschmann RRPS) and two new Ethernet port hubs (Hirschmann SPIDER III). While often overlooked, power supplies and hubs are vital components in a control system.
The Hirschmann RRPS is capable of delivering 480 W of power at high efficiency. It is targeted towards machine builders, who can integrate this power supply with the rest of the control hardware into one complete system. Materials handling and other manufacturing processes will benefit from its ease of installation.
The SPIDER III series of Ethernet hubs are now available with five ports and eight ports, expanding connection capabilities. Each of these new hubs has a built-in Quality of Service (QoS) function that meets Conformance Class A. This means it is capable of prioritizing control signals (over lower status signals like data acquisition) over PROFIBUS or Ethernet/IP.
Belden’s new connection solutions are designed to support critical applications. Image used courtesy of Belden
Critical Connection Solutions
At first glance, one might dismiss these new products as “just some new cables and support hardware.” This would be a big mistake. Cabling, power supplies, and patch panels are often the weakest links in a control system, leading to numerous troubleshooting headaches and extended unplanned downtime. These new products by Belden address some of these issues, boosting system reliability and easing troubleshooting efforts.
