Industrial networks provide complex systems with the flexibility to maintain communication between devices, machinery, and operators. Media converters play a pivotal role in the flexibility of an industrial network. They act as transceivers to connect copper connection devices to fiber optic connection devices and to leverage both. Copper network cabling efficiently carries electrical systems, but it loses connectivity over the course of longer distances. Adversely, fiber-optic lines maintain high-quality connectivity over much longer distances. By integrating media converters, the copper-to-fiber conversion allows for the two-wiring convention (copper) to connect over longer distances (fiber). Read further to see how media converters work in industrial networks.

How Media Converters Work

Media converters are increasingly necessary for handling the growing demands on industrial networks. As industrial networks grow larger to accommodate production needs, more devices are needed to handle the increase in bandwidth while connecting to the existing infrastructure. For many companies, uprooting and installing a new industrial networking system isn’t financially feasible—media converters allow companies to preserve their investments in the existing legacy devices in their network.

Integrating converters allows for interconnectivity between existing devices such as switches, servers, routers, hubs, and other legacy equipment. Legacy devices used in older networks may struggle with modern devices’ need for increased bandwidth, but adding media converters to a network allows for 10/100 or 10/100/1000 rate switching to handle bandwidth distribution. Media converters also reduce the costs of network operation expenditures. With the addition of media converters, companies can handle network troubleshooting and configuration remotely, saving resources, time, and costs.

Media converters can leverage the benefits of copper devices while utilizing the benefits of fiber-optic cabling. As fiber can transport more data over longer distances congruently, more devices can connect to the network. Fiber allows for the increased workload with minimum interference or security risk.

Explore how adding media converters to your infrastructure can add unforeseen value and flexibility. Find the best industrial Power over Ethernet (PoE) media converter to add to your network.