Profinet installation guidelines available

The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO) reports that its new Profinet Installation Guideline is now available. The guideline gives users information they need to implement Ethernet-based Profinet in industrial and office environments.

By Control Engineering Staff November 6, 2003

The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO) reports that its new Profinet Installation Guideline is now available. The guideline gives users information they need to implement Ethernet-based Profinet in industrial and office environments. The new document facilitates acceptance of Ethernet and Ethernet-based Profinet by users in industrial automation. It will help both component manufacturers and system installers achieve time- and cost-saving so-lutions for network communications, component selection and engineering.

The installation guideline enables users to learn about requirements for system-specific network structures and topology, connection technology, cabling, field-wired cabling, high network availability, plus EMC load and mechanical ruggedness. Though based on the common standards IEC 11801 and EN 50173 for office areas, PTO says its guideline is expanded to include specific conditions found in industrial production and field environments. The document also uses knowledge of many Profibus International member companies to make installation recommendations.

The guideline further explains how communication networks in industrial corporations serve two roles. For example, LANs based on Ethernet are the predominant communication network in offices, while also serving as the primary communication network in engineering and production departments with engineering and CAD tools. These Ethernet LANs use information technology (IT) cabling techniques based on standards, such as ISO/IEC 11801 and EN 50173. Profinet takes the Ethernet networking standard to the production floor and field levels, where cabling requirements are typically tougher than in the office environment assumed in IEC 11801.

Profinet Installation Guideline is available in English and German, and may be downloaded by Profibus members. Specifications established in the guideline will be integrated into the upcoming international standardization for Ethernet-based industrial installations.

—Jim Montague, news editor, Control Engineering, jmontague@reedbusiness.com