---
title: "Hirschmann Ethernet-APL & Fiber Industrial Switches"
description: "Premium fiber-uplink and Ethernet-APL field switches engineered by Belden Hirschmann for high-integrity loop routing and intrinsically safe hazardous explosion-proof zones."
canonical_url: "https://nodewave.net/store/networking/hirschmann-apl-switch"
last_updated: "2026-10-04T04:05:17.047Z"
---

<note>

The **Hirschmann Ethernet-APL Field Switches** (alongside the **BOBCAT and Managed Modular Series**) extend high-speed
IP communication directly into **explosion-proof process environments**. By utilizing **Ethernet Advanced Physical
Layer (Ethernet-APL)** and 10BASE-T1L single-pair technology, these switches eliminate legacy fieldbus gateways in
hazardous chemical and oil & gas facilities.

</note>

## Executive Summary and Core Capabilities

Engineered by Belden Hirschmann, these switches deliver intrinsically safe communication to Zone 0, 1, and 2 hazardous
areas. Combining high-speed fiber-optic uplinks with single-pair Ethernet field spurs, they deliver <span className="katex">
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, unlocking real-time asset analytics without
risking electrical ignition in explosive atmosphere loops.

<callout color="green" icon="i-lucide-shield-check">

**Direct-to-Field IP Digitization:** Ethernet-APL brings native TCP/IP protocols (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, HART-IP)
directly to hazardous field instruments in Zone 0, replacing slow 4-20mA analog loops with high-bandwidth diagnostic
channels.

</callout>

<accordion>
<accordion-item icon="i-lucide-network" label="Operational Overview">

- **Intrinsically Safe Ex Field Spurs:** Delivers Ex ia / Ex ic field connections, allowing safe hot-swapping and wiring
of instruments in explosive gas and dust environments.
- **High-Integrity Fiber Backbones:** Fast SFP/ST/SC optical interfaces extend network links across kilometers of
high-EMC plant territory.
- **HiOS Industrial Software:** Runs Hirschmann HiOS firmware, featuring sub-20 ms HiPER Ring redundancy and
Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) for deterministic loop timing.

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item icon="i-lucide-cpu" label="Hardware Architecture Deep-Dive">

Housed in ruggedized IP30 or IP67 die-cast aluminum enclosures, the switch features conformal-coated PCB assemblies
resistant to corrosive gases and thermal extremes ranging from <span className="katex">
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.

The architecture provides high isolation between system power supplies, fiber trunk interfaces, and APL field spur
circuits. Built-in diagnostic LEDs, relay contact outputs, and integration with **Hirschmann Industrial HiVision** allow
proactive network monitoring from central control rooms.

</accordion-item>
</accordion>

---

## Technical Specifications Matrix

<tabs>
<tabs-item label="Ethernet-APL and Network Interfaces">
<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th align="left">
      Parameter
    </th>
    
    <th align="left">
      Specification Details
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Field Layer Standard
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Ethernet-APL (10BASE-T1L, IEEE 802.3cg compliant)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Field Spur Port Count
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Up to 16x 2-wire SPE ports supporting combined power + data
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Maximum Spur Length
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Up to 1,000 m (Trunk) / 200 m (Spur) over shielded twisted pair
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Optical Trunk Ports
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      2x or 4x 100/1000 Mbps SFP fiber uplinks (Multimode / Singlemode)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Supported Protocols
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, HART-IP, OPC UA, Modbus TCP
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</tabs-item>

<tabs-item label="Hazardous Zone and Electrical Ratings">
<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th align="left">
      Standard / Certification
    </th>
    
    <th align="left">
      Certified Protection Level
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Switch Installation Zone
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      ATEX / IECEx Zone 2 / Class I Div 2 compliant
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Field Instrument Zone
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Intrinsically Safe Ex ia / Ex ic for Zones 0, 1, and 2
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Power Class Support
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Power Class A, B, and C (supporting up to 500 mW Ex ia power)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Input Operating Voltage
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Redundant 24 VDC (18 to 30 VDC) terminal block inputs
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Electromagnetic Immunity
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Exceeds EN 61000-6-2 heavy industrial EMC standards
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</tabs-item>

<tabs-item label="System Software and Redundancy">
<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th align="left">
      Feature
    </th>
    
    <th align="left">
      Standard Support
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        System Firmware
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Hirschmann HiOS (High Performance Operating System)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Redundancy Protocols
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      HiPER Ring (recovery < 20 ms), MRP, RSTP/STP, Trunking
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Time Synchronization
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) & TSN support
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Cybersecurity Baseline
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      IEC 62443-4-2 compliant, IEEE 802.1X, Encrypted SSH/HTTPS, ACLs
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td align="left">
      <strong>
        Management Platforms
      </strong>
    </td>
    
    <td align="left">
      Hirschmann Industrial HiVision & Belden Horizon software
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</tabs-item>
</tabs>

---

## Target Industry Applications

<card-group>
<card icon="i-lucide-flame" title="Hazardous Process Plant Field Loops">

Routes intrinsically safe 10BASE-T1L loops directly to pressure, flow, and temperature transmitters in Zone 0/1.

</card>

<card icon="i-lucide-activity" title="High-Integrity Fiber DCS Networks">

Forms a redundant optical backbone bridging field instrumentation clusters back to main DCS control rooms.

</card>
</card-group>

---

## External Resources and Documentation

Access official manuals, whitepapers, and product guides directly from Belden Hirschmann:

<card-group>
<card icon="i-lucide-external-link" title="Official Belden Hirschmann Portal" target="_blank" to="https://www.belden.com/about/connected-brands/hirschmann">

Explore the full range of Hirschmann managed switches, APL field devices, and network management tools.

</card>

<card icon="i-lucide-file-text" title="Belden Industrial Managed Switches" target="_blank" to="https://www.belden.com/products/industrial-networking-cybersecurity/managed-switches">

Download detailed datasheets, CAD drawings, and firmware updates for BOBCAT and APL field switches.

</card>
</card-group>