View all switches

Managed and Unmanaged Switches for Mounting Rails

Discover our sophisticated designs of the FLEXtra family with different cable outlets – suitable for even the smallest control cabinets. The Industrial Ethernet switches in the FLEXtra® family are suitable for every machine and system.

FLEXtra Switches – Designs

Slim

Flat

Stages

IP67

Slim design to save space on the mounting rail.

Particularly flat design for enclosures with a shallow installation depth.

Stepwise cable outlet downwards for high port density.

High protection class for harsh environments.

FLEXtra Stage

PROFINET switches
  • stepped cable outlet downwards
  • unmanaged or managed with PROFINET
  • Hybrid operation for 1GBit LAN and PROFINET
  • VLAN
  • Variants with SFP slots for fiber optic connection

FLEXtra Flat

Unmanaged switches
PROFINET switches
  • Flat design for enclosures with low installation depth
  • unmanaged or managed with PROFINET
  • 100 MBit/s or 1000 MBit/s – unmanaged
  • Lightweight and robust design

FLEXtra IP67

Unmanaged switches
PROFINET switches
  • High protection class
  • for harsh industrial environments
  • M12 ports for up to 8 participants
  • 100 MBit/s
  • Installation without control cabinet

FLEXtra Slim

Unmanaged switches
PROFINET switches
  • Minimal space requirement on the mounting rail
  • very low installation depth
  • unmanaged or managed with PROFINET
  • Variants for 100 MBit/s and 1000 MBit/s
  • 5, 8, or 16-port

FLEXtra Slim – SPE Ethernet-Switches

  • 4x SPE ports 10 Base-T1L – 10 Mbps, up to 1000 m cable length
  • PoDL for easy power supply of the SPE devices
  • SPE-Connector: IEC 63171-2 („SPE SA“)
  • SPoE Power Classes: 10, 11, 12 (SCCP)
SPE
switches

Which switch is best suited for my machine or system?

How to choose the right industrial switch: Important features and requirements explained

In the world of industrial automation, reliable switches are the invisible nervous system that ensures smooth communication and data transmission between the PLC and other network participants. Modern production machines are becoming increasingly complex and the number of network participants is tending to increase.

Does the switch have to be managed, unmanaged or equipped with special protocols? How do you select the right design from a wide range? We will be happy to guide you step by step through the selection process!

The first step is to take a close look at the area of application.
Depending on whether the switches are to be used in the harsh “field” or in a control cabinet, different requirements must be met. In addition to the IP protection class and the fieldbus technology used, the available space on the top-hat rail also plays an important role. The necessary network protocols and management functions such as VLAN, QoS or SNMP must also be taken into account.

If a system is to be operated with unmanaged switches within a PROFINET network, make sure that the switches fulfill at least PROFINET Conformance Class A. This blocks certain data packets in order to suppress unnecessary broadcasting.

Selecting the optimum cable outlets and connection technology for industrial switches

A decisive aspect is the consideration of the cable outlet and the bending radii. This also includes the required connection technology such as M12, RJ45 or SFP for fiber optics. Here it depends on how the cabling can best be implemented in your factory hall or outdoor environment. Whether a front cable outlet for quick installation or downward cable routing for enclosures with a low installation depth – we can help you select the right switch for structured and clean network cabling.

Whether it’s production control, process automation or building monitoring – industrial switches from Helmholz are reliable cornerstones that keep the information flow running. Our experts are at your side with their specialist knowledge every step of the way. Together, we ensure that your industrial network has a solid and high-performance structure to meet the requirements of your individual application scenarios.

PROFINET Switch FAQ

Have questions about our PROFINET switches? Our comprehensive FAQ covers topics including:

  • Why do you need a PROFINET switch?
  • Real-time compatibility and RT/IRT support
  • Device exchange during operation
  • MRP redundancy and network reliability
  • Ethernet cable types and speeds
  • PROFIsafe implementation
→ View all frequently asked questions about PROFINET switches!
Discover all switches
Contact our experts