Data communications
Industrial Ethernet, serial, wireless and fibre optic communications form the backbone of any PV plant monitoring and control system. Weidmuller's reliable, efficient and robust data products are ideally suited to photovoltaic systems.
Data communications around solar plants
Data communications around Solar plants are usually either RS485, Copper Ethernet, Wireless Ethernet or Optical fibre Ethernet and each has it's own advantages.
RS485
RS485 is a well established system using twisted pair copper cables. It allows for multidrop of around 32 devices and is usually used with an Open system Master-Slave protocol like Modbus RTU. The main advantage of RS485 is that it offers a simple cost effective connection. Suitable surge protection is important for RS485 when used in typical solar plants. The maximum range is typically about 1.2km.
Copper Ethernet
Copper Ethernet is useful for distances of 100m or under. It provides a faster connection than RS485 and can still be affected by surges and common mode voltages so surge protection is still important. There are many products available for these systems that are designed for office use but Industrial grade products like Weidmuller's are recommended for anything larger than the most basic household installation.
Wireless Ethernet
Wireless Ethernet products can connect up your network over large distances without the need for cabling. These products are available in high speed and high transmission distance versions with a variety of features ideal for industrial networks.
Fibre Ethernet
Optical fibre communication is initially the most expensive due to the cost of fibre optic cabling but can send signals over large distances and has total immunity to electrical noise, surges and common mode voltages between different parts of the system.
Waveline Series media converters
Convert between copper and optical fibre Ethernet networks for reliable communication over longer distances.
Waveline Series Switches for copper networks
Weidmuller have a full range of managed and unmanaged switches for copper Ethernet networks.
Waveline Series Switches for fibre networks
Weidmuller's range fo switches for fibre networks combine media converter and switch capabilities for all fibre connection types and high speed copper networks.
Patch and Installation cables for copper and fibre systems
Weidmuller are established leaders in the field of connection technology. Whatever your data connection application, we have the solution.
SL Series Industrial Serial to Ethernet converters and gateways
RS485 Serial to Ethernet solutions with a power consumption of less than 1W, simple web browser based setup and 1.5kV Isolation on the Ethernet port.
WL-Series industrial wireless modems
Weidmuller’s WL Series industrial wireless products provide a secure, economical and reliable alternative to hard wired signal and data communications.
