1 year warranty
Ethernet & Fieldbus Devices
Ethernet and fieldbus devices provide the network interface hardware that connects SIMATIC PLCs, drives, HMIs, and field devices to Industrial Ethernet and PROFIBUS communication networks within an automation architecture. PLC Direct stocks Siemens SIMATIC NET Ethernet and fieldbus devices, including communications processors, industrial Ethernet switches, PC adapters, and network accessories, available as surplus sealed, refurbished, and used hardware. Contact us to confirm availability.
Where are Ethernet & Fieldbus Devices used in industrial environments?
Ethernet and fieldbus devices are used wherever a SIMATIC S7 controller requires a dedicated network interface module to participate in Industrial Ethernet or PROFIBUS communication, including systems where the host CPU has no onboard network port or must maintain a second independent network connection simultaneously. They are standard hardware in any SIMATIC-based automation environment where PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs, and engineering stations must exchange data over a structured network infrastructure.
Facilities and operations that depend on Ethernet & Fieldbus Devices include:
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SIMATIC S7-300 and S7-400 installations where the CPU has no onboard Ethernet port and requires a CP 343-1 or CP 443-1 communications processor to connect to a PROFINET or Industrial Ethernet network running SCADA, MES, or historian software.
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S7-1200 systems that need an additional PROFIBUS DP master connection via a CM 1243-5 module for integrating legacy PROFIBUS field devices alongside the controller's native PROFINET interface.
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Automotive and discrete manufacturing facilities using SCALANCE X managed switches to segment PROFINET networks by machine cell, manage ring redundancy, and maintain deterministic communication between robot controllers, PLCs, and distributed I/O systems.
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Engineering and maintenance teams requiring Siemens PC adapter USB or CP 5622 PCI Express cards to connect a programming workstation to PROFIBUS or MPI networks for diagnostics, firmware updates, and online programming without interrupting production.
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Food and beverage and pharmaceutical plants building isolated PROFINET segments for production equipment that must be separated from plant office networks while still reporting data to a central SCADA or DCS platform.
A failed communications processor isolates the host SIMATIC controller from its network segment, preventing data exchange with connected SCADA systems, remote I/O, and other networked devices until the module is replaced with an exact model match.
Which Brands of Ethernet & Fieldbus Devices Does PLC Direct stock?
This collection consists of Siemens SIMATIC NET hardware, across four product families.
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Siemens CP 300/400 Series: In-rack communications processors for SIMATIC S7-300 and S7-400 controllers, including the CP 342-5 for PROFIBUS DP and the CP 343-1 and CP 443-1 for Industrial Ethernet and PROFINET connectivity.
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Siemens CP/CM 1200/1500 Series: Communications modules for SIMATIC S7-1200 and S7-1500 platforms, including the CM 1243-5 for PROFIBUS DP master connectivity and the CP 1243-1 for Industrial Ethernet and telecontrol protocol support.
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Siemens SCALANCE X Series: Managed and unmanaged Industrial Ethernet switches, including the SCALANCE XB-000 and XC-100 unmanaged families and the SCALANCE X204-2 managed switch, for building PROFINET and Industrial Ethernet network topologies with ring redundancy and diagnostics support.
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Siemens PC Adapters and Programming Interfaces: USB and PCI Express programming adapters, including the PC adapter USB A2 and CP 5622, for connecting engineering workstations to PROFIBUS and MPI networks for commissioning, diagnostics, and online programming.
PLC Direct stocks Siemens SIMATIC NET Ethernet and fieldbus devices as surplus sealed, refurbished, and used hardware, depending on available inventory.
What should you know before ordering Ethernet & Fieldbus Devices?
Hardware condition options: Surplus sealed units are unused and in original manufacturer packaging. Refurbished units have been inspected and restored to functional operating condition. Used units are tested and operational, with conditions stated on each product listing.
Compatibility and part identification: SIMATIC NET CP and CM modules are matched by controller family and generation. A CP 343-1 is specific to the S7-300 chassis and cannot be installed in an S7-400 or S7-1200 system, and the firmware revision must align with the host CPU firmware to ensure correct initialization. For SCALANCE switches, the model number determines whether the unit is managed or unmanaged, the port count, and whether PROFINET IO device functionality and ring redundancy are supported, all of which affect whether it can be substituted for an existing unit in the network design.
Warranty: All Ethernet & Fieldbus Device hardware purchased from PLC Direct carries a standard 1-year warranty covering defects and functionality, applicable to surplus sealed, refurbished, and used products. PLC Direct supplies Ethernet & Fieldbus Device hardware for replacement and maintenance purposes and does not provide system design, programming, or integration services.