Every day, sensors generate vast amounts of data world-wide and this continues to rise. Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) technology offers completely new opportunities to transmit these data streams reliably even in the most confined areas of the machine. Developed for use in energy chains, Northampton-based Igus (www.igus.co.uk/chainflex) has introduced the chainflex CFBUS.PUR.042 SPE cable.

While a few years ago CAT5 was the standard and CAT5e was a quantum leap, CAT6a and CAT7 are increasingly in demand today. However, all developments so far have ended at the last ‘intelligent’ component of the machine; this is because the size of the cable and the connector were too big to implement connections to the smallest sensors.

Justin Leonard, the-chain director at Igus, said: “The SPE cable uses only one pair of wires instead of the usual four, reducing the outer diameter of the cable by 25%. “Although this reduces the data rate from 10MBit/s to 1GBit/s, it is fast enough for many sensor applications.”

The new cable is designed to fit perfectly with the T1 connector interface, which has been developed specially for SPE. As a result, the durable shielding is retained, resulting in high electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The combination of cable and connector is extremely robust: igus uses an abrasion-resistant, notch-proof PUR jacket and the connector uses robust metal latches with PCB jack.

The reduction in the size of cable and connector creates the oppoortunity to use the smallest e-chain series. The Single Pair Ethernet technology is also an alternative to standard field buses such as Profibus and CC-Link, as well as ethernet derivatives such as Profinet and CC-Link IE. The oil resistant and flame-retardant SPE cable comes with a guaranteed service life of 10 million double strokes and 36 months.