Industrial switches are hardened network switches for factories, warehouses, outdoor cabinets, transport systems and other places where an office switch would struggle. Our range includes DIN-rail models and PoE versions from Cisco, LevelOne, Teltonika, Planet and StarTech.com, from small 4 and 5 port units to 24 and 28 port switches.
How to choose an industrial switch
Operating environment. Check the operating temperature range first. Some switches in our range work from -40 to 75 °C, while others are rated only for 0 to 40 °C, which suits a heated control room but not an unheated cabinet. Also look at humidity tolerance (several models accept 5 to 95%) and the storage temperature rating.
Number of ports. Count every device you need to connect, then add spare ports for future expansion. Many models in our range have 4 or 5 RJ-45 Ethernet ports, which is enough for a single machine or a small cell. Larger installations call for the 24 and 28 port models.
Power over Ethernet. Choose a PoE model if the switch will power IP cameras, wireless access points or sensors over the network cable. This saves separate power supplies in awkward locations. Check the total PoE power budget as well as the number of PoE ports, because the budget limits how many devices can run at once. Both PoE and non-PoE switches are available in our range.
Switching capacity and MAC address table. Switching capacity, which ranges from 2 to 128 Gbit/s in our range, shows how much traffic the switch can pass without becoming a bottleneck. The MAC address table (from 1024 to 16000 entries) limits how many different devices the switch can learn. For a handful of machines either is plentiful, but for large networks or heavy video traffic aim higher.
Management and mounting. Managed switches offer VLANs, monitoring and remote configuration, which matter in larger or segmented networks. Unmanaged switches simply work when plugged in. Confirm the mounting method too: most industrial switches are designed for DIN rail, but some are meant for racks or wall mounting.
Industrial switch brands we carry
- Cisco: the largest group in our range, known for enterprise networking and a dedicated line of industrial Ethernet switches.
- Teltonika: Teltonika Networks is a Lithuanian manufacturer best known for industrial routers and gateways, and its switches are designed to work alongside them.
- Planet: a Taiwanese networking manufacturer with a long-standing industrial Ethernet line, including models for wide temperature ranges.
- MikroTik: a Latvian manufacturer whose devices run RouterOS, giving detailed control over network configuration.
- StarTech.com: known for connectivity products, with industrial switches aimed at smaller installations and simple expansion.
- D-Link and TRENDnet: both make networking equipment for homes and businesses and also offer industrial switches for light industrial use.
Also in our range: LevelOne, ALLNET, Roline, Edimax and Digitus.
Industrial switches FAQ
What is the difference between an industrial switch and a normal switch?
An industrial switch is built to survive conditions that damage standard switches: wide temperature swings, humidity, dust and vibration. Many are also designed for DIN-rail mounting and run from low-voltage DC power. A normal switch is designed for a climate-controlled office or server room.
Do I need a PoE industrial switch?
You need PoE only if you want the switch to power devices such as IP cameras or wireless access points through the network cable. If every connected device already has its own power supply, a non-PoE switch is enough. Check that the PoE power budget covers all devices together.
What temperature range should an industrial switch support?
Choose a range that covers the coldest and hottest conditions in the place where the switch will be installed, with some margin. Models rated for -40 to 75 °C suit unheated or outdoor cabinets. A 0 to 40 °C rating is fine for a heated indoor control room.
How many ports do I need on an industrial switch?
Count the devices you will connect now and add a few spare ports. A 4 or 5 port switch covers a single machine or a small cell, while a 24 or 28 port model suits larger production lines or cabinets. Planning for expansion avoids buying a second switch later.
