Single Pair Ethernet cables for high-stress drag chain and robot applications

Application Areas

Single Pair Ethernet cables can be used for different applications within diverse industries. The intended application is the key factor in the development of SPE cables.
For example, Single Pair Ethernet cables are suitable for fixed installation, mobile applications, and even highly flexible applications. For many industrial applications, high temperature-resistant and rugged SPE cables for indoor and outdoor installation are also required.

SAB’s focus is on two Single Pair Ethernet cables, which have been specially developed for the increasing data transmission rates in automation. In addition to the CATLine C-Track, a drag chain-compatible Single Pair Ethernet cable, SAB Bröckskes has also developed a robot-compatible SPE cable with UL recognition, the CATLine SPE Robot.

The drag chain- or robot-compatible SPE cables ensure safe and reliable data transmission over a bandwidth of 1-600 MHz. These cables are also PWIS non-critical, oil resistant, UL recognized, and RoHS compliant.

H4: SPE Network

As an early member of the SPE network, SAB Bröckskes’ ambition is to help establish SPE technology on the international market and drive new fields of application in the different industries. To this end, the cable specialist from Viersen has developed a complete product range for diverse applications:

CATLine SPE C-Track      Single Pair Ethernet cable, drag chain compatible
CATLine SPE Robot         Single Pair Ethernet cable, robot compatible
CATLine SPE HT              Single-Pair Ethernet cable, high temperature resistant
CATLine SPE Rugged      Single Pair Ethernet cable for rugged indoor & outdoor use
CATLine SPE Rail            Single Pair Ethernet cable for railway applications

Design and Manufacture of SPE Cables

Due to the high mechanical and transmission requirements of Single Pair Ethernet cables, the demands on design and production are also significantly higher compared to multi-pair stranded Ethernet cables. The manufacturing specifications must be complied with to the letter.

All Single Pair Ethernet Cables are designed as single pair cables (2 x AWG 26/7) and can also be designed as hybrid cables depending on the application. SAB expects a lot of application-related special solutions, e.g. with power supply for motors and sensors. SAB considers itself well positioned in this area and would like to offer custom solutions.

Design requirements differ depending on the application. For drag chain applications, a permanently flexible design with a specially adapted stranding technique was chosen for the CATLine SPE C-Track cable. For robot applications, the design was adapted to guarantee flexible use for a torsional application of +/- 180°.

Advantages over Traditional Ethernet Cables

Compared to a traditional 4-pair Ethernet cable, SPE cables save up to 30% on space and are up to 35% lighter. Considering the amount of cable that would be laid in km, the resulting cost savings are considerable. Over the life cycle of a railroad, for instance, you would be looking at savings somewhere within the 6-digit euro range.

Standards & Transmission Quality

A T1 SPE C-Track cable must meet the electrical and transmission requirements of draft standard CD IEC 61156-12 Ed. 1.0. Connectors are available from Harting, for example with which SAB Bröckskes works closely. Used in combination, full compliance with the standard is then assured.

Based on current information, SPE requires no more bandwidth than Cat.7A. SAB cables have already been successfully tested.

Special Solutions for Special Applications

SAB’s manufacturing capabilities extend not only to basic types and standard dimensions, but, in particular, to special cables designed according to each customer’s requirements. Production can also be carried out in small batch sizes, which are of interest for small and pilot series.