New Beckhoff Industrial Ethernet Switches Feature Streamlined Design

To provide industrial Ethernet users with the most robust components possible, Beckhoff Automation has announced the new CU2008 and CU2016 Ethernet switches. The CU series switches have an optimized housing design and therefore cost 16 percent less than earlier models. The CU2008 switch ($150) offers 8 RJ 45 Ethernet ports while the CU2016 switch ($282) features 16 ports.

Beckhoff Ethernet Switches are robust, slimline devices offering user-friendly installation in a stainless steel/aluminum housing via an integrated DIN rail adapter. The switches relay incoming Ethernet frames to the destination ports. In full duplex mode, they prevent collisions. They can be used universally in automation and office networks.

These streamlined Ethernet Switches replace the previous Beckhoff ES series of switches. The CU series switches retain the same form factor with identically arranged RJ 45 sockets and power connections. The status LEDs, are easier to read because they are located directly on the RJ 45 sockets. The new devices no longer have a configuration DIP switch (for which there is generally no need), eliminating the risk of configuration errors during installation and use.