A packaging line at a plant in Chonburi stops intermittently. The PLC is fine, the sensors are fine. After hours of troubleshooting, the fault is traced to a failing port on a cheap, office‑grade network switch overheating inside the control cabinet. This wasn’t a cost saving; it was a reliability failure that directly impacted the plant’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Building a reliable machine network is more than just picking an industrial Ethernet switch; it requires a complete system of compatible, industrial‑grade components. A single weak link can bring down an entire production line. This guide provides a comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM) template, simplifying your machine network design and ensuring you specify a robust, end‑to‑end LAPP ETHERLINE® solution.
Why Your Network Needs a BOM, Not Just a Switch
An industrial network is a complete system, and its reliability is only as strong as its weakest component. Using an office‑grade switch or the wrong type of industrial Ethernet cable is a common mistake that leads to failures. The constant vibration, electrical noise (EMI), and high ambient temperatures found in any factory in Southeast Asia will quickly destroy hardware designed for a climate‑controlled office.
A Bill of Materials (BOM) is an essential engineering tool. It forces a systematic approach, ensuring every component—from the switch to the last connector—is specified for the industrial environment, guaranteeing compatibility and performance from the outset.
Building Your BOM: The Core Components
Here are the essential categories for a robust network, with recommendations from the LAPP ETHERLINE® system.
1. The Core: The Industrial Switch
This is the heart of your network. Unlike office‑grade hardware with plastic housings and single power inputs, an industrial switch is built to withstand the factory floor.
What to Look For: Choose ACCESS‑UF models for extended temperatures (–25 °C … +75 °C) and ACCESS‑U for standard cabinets (–10 °C … +60 °C). Both use robust metal DIN‑rail housings with redundant 24 V DC inputs, so one supply failing won’t take down your network.
LAPP Solution: The ETHERLINE® ACCESS family of managed and unmanaged switches is designed for industrial duty. See ETHERLINE® ACCESS UF05T for the extended‑temperature variant.
2. The Nerves: The Ethernet Cable
Choosing the right cable for the application is critical. A cable’s performance depends entirely on its environment.
For Static Runs (PROFINET): For fixed connections inside cabinets or along the machine frame, use a 4‑pair, Cat.6A PROFINET Type B cable with Fast‑Connect inner sheath. ETHERLINE® PN Cat.6A FLEX FC (PVC “Y” or FRNC jacket) delivers 10 Gbit/s up to 500 MHz and speeds up termination with its FC design. See the LAPP product page for ETHERLINE® PN Cat.6A FLEX FC.
For Moving Applications (Drag Chains): Where parts move, specify a high‑flex chain cable. ETHERLINE® FD P Cat.6 4x2xAWG26 is designed for cable chains and moving machinery, with tested multi‑million bending cycles (variant‑dependent) and a durable PUR jacket. Note: FD Cat.6 chain types are intended for patch‑cable channel lengths (up to 60 m).
3. The Joints: Connectors & Patch Panels
Connection points are frequent failure points. Industrial‑grade connectors are essential.
What to Look For: Prefer M12 with threaded locking and high IP ratings for on‑machine connections, and RJ45 inside cabinets. Ensure 360° shield continuity and low‑impedance bonding at the panel entry.
LAPP Solution: The EPIC® DATA series covers M12 and RJ45 for field assembly and in‑cabinet terminations.
A Key Advantage: Predictive Maintenance with ETHERLINE® GUARD
For the most critical connections in your machine—perhaps the main link back to the central controller—how do you know if the cable is degrading?
ETHERLINE® GUARD is a compact, DIN‑rail device that continuously assesses the condition of 100BASE‑TX Ethernet cables in dynamic applications. It provides a percentage‑based line status and can signal alarms via digital output or IO‑Link so maintenance teams can plan a replacement before faults escalate. Learn more on our eShop JJ-LAPP product page for ETHERLINE® GUARD.
Your Downloadable Ethernet BOM Template
Use this template as a starting point for your next machine design.
| Component | LAPP Series Recommendation | Spec |
| Industrial Switch | ETHERLINE® ACCESS | ACCESS‑U: –10..+60 °C; ACCESS‑UF: –25..+75 °C; metal DIN‑rail; redundant 24 V DC inputs |
| Predictive Monitor | ETHERLINE® GUARD | IP20; condition monitoring for 100BASE‑TX cables |
| Static Cable (PROFINET) | ETHERLINE® PN Cat.6A FLEX FC | 10 Gbit/s; up to 500 MHz; Fast‑Connect inner sheath; PROFINET Type B (4‑pair) |
| Drag‑chain Cable (Cat.6) | ETHERLINE® FD P Cat.6 | PUR jacket; multi‑million bending cycles (variant‑dependent); patch cable applications up to 60 m |
| Torsion Cable (Cat.6A) | ETHERLINE® TORSION Cat.6A | Designed for torsion; tested ±180°/m (type‑dependent); PUR/PVC options |
| Field Connectors | EPIC® DATA M12 / RJ45 | M12 (IP67 on‑machine), RJ45 (IP20 in‑cabinet); 360° shielding |
Quick Answers to Common Questions
“Managed vs. Unmanaged switch: which do I need?”
For a simple machine with a few devices, an unmanaged switch is a cost‑effective plug‑and‑play choice. For larger networks where you need VLANs, diagnostics (port mirroring), or tighter security, use a managed switch.
“Why use M12 instead of RJ45 in the field?”
RJ45 is common in cabinets. M12 with its threaded coupling offers a vibration‑proof, IP67‑rated connection on the machine itself.
“How does the ETHERLINE® GUARD connect?”
Mount the GUARD on DIN‑rail between the switch and the field cable you want to monitor. Patch from the switch into the GUARD; run the monitored cable from the GUARD to the device. The unit monitors the passing traffic and outputs an alarm when the defined threshold is reached.
The Bottom Line: Build a System, Not a Shopping List
By adopting a systematic, BOM‑driven approach, you can move beyond simply buying parts and start designing a truly reliable industrial network. Sourcing a complete, end‑to‑end solution from a single partner like JJ‑LAPP simplifies procurement, guarantees compatibility, and ensures you have expert local support right here in Southeast Asia.
Stop chasing network faults. Download our Industrial Ethernet BOM Template, then book a consultation with a JJ‑LAPP specialist.
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