Electricity and Control February 2023

SENSORS + SWITCHES

Seven good reasons to use Ethernet-APL

As development of Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer, or Ethernet-APL, progresses and the benefits for the process industry become clearer, interest in and demand for the technology are growing. More users from around the world are approaching the experts at Pepperl+Fuchs with questions. Here P+F presents the answers to the most common questions – and thus seven good reasons why this technology should be included in today’s process industry plants.

Which DCS manufacturers currently offer control systems with Ethernet-APL? All of themalready offer Ethernet-APL.With the FieldConnex ® rail field switch from Pepperl+Fuchs, the connection into the field of the plant – and thus continuous communication can be easily realised – up to and including the selection of different protocols. Which field device manufacturers already provide Ethernet-APL-capable field devices? The first manufacturer to announce complete instrumenta tion with Ethernet-APL for 2022 was Endress+Hauser, and others followed. What are the benefits for customers if they deploy Ethernet-APL? This is the key question, particularly when comparing Ethernet-APL to 4-20 mA and HART. With universal, barrier free network access to instrumentation at high speed, all the advantages we are familiar with from Ethernet applications in everyday life can be transferred to the requirements of the process industry. Benefits include: - Better SOPs (standard operating procedures) - Less maintenance - Reduced risk of failure and malfunction - Higher output - Greater efficiency. What are the features that enable these benefits? A field network, in conjunction with PROFINET or Ethernet/ IP and appropriate hardware and software, enables appli cations with fully automated workflows interacting with field instruments. Specifically, this means, for example, that sys tems can provide the following functions and applications: - Automatic device detection - Automatic upload and download of the instrument configuration - Upload of the right DTM / EDD device drivers.

Customers can test Ethernet-APL in their own process plant environment. Are there demo devices? How can we experience the technology live? The easiest way for prospective customers to implement a test configuration with Ethernet-APL is in their own envi ronment with the control system or controller they keep on hand for testing. From Pepperl+Fuchs we provide a switch and the expert support. The customer requests the field de vices from their usual suppliers. They can then start testing immediately with a PROFINET controller and PROFIBUS PA field devices. However, before customers do this, the best route is to set the goals. Describe expectations of how the functions of a network infrastructure can make daily work easier and develop respective test scenarios. The NAMUR epics, which describe various use cases, also provide in spiration for this. How can users protect Ethernet-APL networks against cyberattacks? Cybersecurity requires a systemic approach. Engineers consider attack scenarios and the network’s vulnerability in order to protect it from unwanted access and plan for appropriate security measures. For example, maintenance contractors on site may need access to specific areas and only for a limited time; access rights will be granted ac-

The Ethernet-APL rail field switch from FieldConnex ® .

22 Electricity + Control FEBRUARY 2023