Industrial automation systems are undergoing dramatic transformations that require businesses to adopt new strategies for industrial Ethernet. With the transition to Ethernet connected controllers, computers, high speed motion control, cameras and power electronics, new approaches are required because past industrial network practices may no longer apply. Every day, 160,000 new industrial Ethernet nodes are connected (I.H.S. Global/IMS Research).  The design, specification, installation and testing of Ethernet cabling systems need closer examination for appropriate network cabling implementation.

When assessing your cabling network topology to determine whether you should use structured cabling or point to point cabling, the primary considerations are your design specs, network longevity, maintainability and installation. These considerations will help you choose the best cabling option for your Ethernet industrial automation application.