The Helmholz FLEXtra SLIM SPE-Switch is an unmanaged, 6-port Ethernet switch designed for DIN rail installation. It enables seamless data exchange for up to four Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) devices at 10 Mbit/s and two standard Ethernet devices via RJ45 connections at speeds up to 1000 Mbit/s. All connections are bridged through the switch without requiring configuration, making it ideal for industrial environments.

SPE technology allows Ethernet data transmission using just a single twisted pair of wires, supporting data rates from 10 Mbit/s up to 1 Gbit/s. Compared to conventional Ethernet, which requires two or four wire pairs, SPE’s two-wire design significantly reduces cabling weight and space requirements. With the 10 Mbit/s SPE standard “T1L,” cable lengths can reach up to 1000 meters—ten times longer than traditional Ethernet.

The FLEXtra SLIM SPE-Switch supports PROFINET networks and meets Conformance Class A requirements, correctly handling LLPD (neighbourhood detection) and PTCP (time synchronization) functions. It also supports Power over Dataline (PoDL or SPoE), delivering both data and power (up to 18 W) over a single cable pair to connected end devices.

Connections:

• 4x SPE ports (X1 P1 – X1 P4) for 10 Mbit/s devices
• 2x RJ45 ports (X1 P5 & X1 P6) for standard Ethernet up to 1000 Mbit/s
• Power supply: 24 V DC via wide-range input (18–30 V DC) using the included connector plug
• Functional earth (FE) connection must be properly bonded to the reference potential

Compact and industrial-grade, the FLEXtra SLIM SPE-Switch offers a reliable and space-efficient solution for modern Ethernet networks in automation and other industrial applications.