SCALANCE is the Siemens industrial networking range: unmanaged and managed Ethernet switches, security routers and wireless access points built for panel mounting, wide temperature and PROFINET traffic. Alongside them we supply SIMATIC NET communication processors, media converters and the industrial connectors and cabling that hold a plant network together.
SCALANCE Industrial Ethernet & SIMATIC NET we supply
Managed vs unmanaged is the key decision — PROFINET diagnostics, VLANs and ring redundancy need a managed switch.
Count ports including uplinks and spares; a switch replaced like-for-like on port count leaves no room for growth.
Check the media type: RJ45 copper, SC/ST fibre and SFP-cage models are different part numbers.
Confirm the 24 V DC supply arrangement and whether redundant power input is required.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an office switch instead of a SCALANCE?
Electrically it may pass traffic, but it will not survive panel temperatures, has no DIN mounting or 24 V input, and gives you no PROFINET diagnostics in TIA Portal. On a machine network that visibility is usually the point of buying SCALANCE.
Which SCALANCE for a PROFINET ring?
You need a managed model that supports MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol).