Editor’s Choice


In this article, Moxa looks at four critical criteria for selecting the right unmanaged switches that can be overlooked.


Reliability and cost of ownership A reliable connection is a vital part of industrial networking and can justify the higher prices of these devices. It is better to take a long-term perspective when purchasing industrial Ethernet switches for your network. Tese devices will be in place for years and will connect to sensitive equipment. Here are some criteria to select reliable devices that can save costs and bring value to your network.


Selecting unmanaged switches for industrial networks


By Moxa, Connecting to advance industrial connectivity


E


thernet switches are essential components of any network. Tey are used where additional Ethernet ports are needed to connect devices. When it comes to industrial usage, selecting the


right products is even more critical. Industrial switches are intended to connect devices in harsh weather


and environmental conditions. Tey must ensure a secure and reliable network during operation. Usually, the customers are familiar with the speed, number and type


of ports that are required to use in their network. For this reason, we do not review these factors.


38 May 2025 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


Mean time between failures (MTBF) MTBF is a statistical value and is oſten expressed in hours or years. It indicates the reliability of the device. Te cost of downtime in an industrial environment due to equipment failure can be high. Usually, industrial-grade products have higher MTBF than normal products and can operate for many years without any problems. In this case, it is beneficial to select switches from reputable brands with a higher MTBF.


Power supply Switches with a wide input voltage range can accept power from a variety of sources. Tis enables them to be used in different environments and saves stocking costs. In addition, during power fluctuations, surges, or drops, the switch can continue working. It increases the uptime and reliability of the network. If uptime is extremely important in your network, selecting switches


with redundant power supplies is better. A redundant power supply allows you to connect the switch to two power sources. It is useful when one source goes down, the other will continue to provide power to the device.


Warranty Te warranty offers assurance of quality. It also gives peace of mind in case a unit is defective. Always review the warranty terms and conditions before purchasing the product from any company. Make sure you can receive enough support when a product fails.


Lead time Te lead time for receiving the switch can easily be neglected. It is an important consideration depending on the project requirements. Delays in time-sensitive projects are costly and can damage the reputation of the responsible person. Carefully evaluate the lead time and select a reliable vendor. Tis will help you meet your project deadlines.


Durability and conformity Industrial switches, by design, are more sophisticated than commercial ones and are prepared to resist harsh conditions. Below are some points that you can consider when selecting your device.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46