ProfiHub A5 PROFIBUS multi-repeater, IP65

5-segment PROFIBUS multirepeater for hard environments

The ProfiHub A5 is a network hub with which you create a star metallic PROFIBUS DP topology for PROFIBUS DP devices. This IP65-rated multirepeater is designed for installations in harsher environments or outdoor environments. The maximum number of newly created PROFIBUS DP segments is +5 and all segments are galvanically isolated from each other. Thanks to the ProfiHub multirepeater, interference or a bad signal in one segment does not reach another segment and does not affect the signal quality in another segment.

Thanks to diagnostic LEDs on each segment, it is possible to detect an error before PROFIBUS stops working. In addition, each segment is equipped with a CANON SUB9 connector, which serves perfectly as a measuring point for connecting a PROFIBUS analyzer, e.g. a ProfiTrace 2 tester.

Perfect galvanic separation of all segments

The advanced electronics of the ProfiHub A5 multirepeater allows (unlike competing repeaters) unlimited cascading in succession (i.e. a maximum of 9 repeaters in a cascade does not apply).

The ProfiHub A5 has 100% short circuit protection, i.e. if you short the A/B wires in segment 1 with respect to each other, this short circuit will not pass to the other segments. This behavior is logically expected from a repeater, but unfortunately does not apply to many other repeaters on the market.

In addition, the data on the network is constantly monitored for the presence of skew, which ProfiHub digitally smoothes out. We know from our customers that they prefer ProfiHub multirepeaters precisely because of the better galvanic separation of all segments, which has minimized outages on PROFIBUS networks. 

Thanks to the 100% galvanic isolation of the PROFIBUS segments, the ProfiHub A5 will not pass a jammed or damaged signal from one segment to another.

Preferably fewer stations in the segment

Based on our experience, we recommend that customers do not have up to 31 PROFIBUS stations per segment, because 31 stations means 31 potential causes of problems that can cause signal reflections in the PROFIBUS cable. This reflection increases with the length of the segment and eventually becomes so large that it usually shuts down the farthest station.

We therefore recommend that our customers deploy a maximum of 5-10 PROFIBUS stations per segment. In practice, this means that you bring the signal from the MASTER station into the ProfiHub multirepeater (you can then continue further) and connect a maximum of 5-10 stations to each segment. These can be stations always in one rack, stations in one direction from the rack, all inverters / IO peripherals / HMI panels etc. It doesn't really matter because ProfiHub acts as a hub, so it connects everything to everything. It practically doesn't matter what stations you connect to each channel (segment).

This significantly reduces the time to find the fault in case of problems with the PROFIBUS network, because you can usually find the cause and effect in only one segment.

By placing PROFIBUS stations in multiple galvanically separated segments, the robustness and resilience of the PROFIBUS network to possible interference and faults in other PROFIBUS segments is increased. An error from one segment will not reach the other segment and we can therefore locate the error more quickly.

Main advantages

• Create 5 galvanically separated PROFIBUS segments (1× original + 5× new).
• Higher IP65 rating allows installations in harsher environments.
• You can connect stations in a star or use a tree topology as well.
• Alarm relay contact alerts you to secondary power failure.
• Installation does not require a change in the PB Master station's HW configuration (unless the Diagnostics - DP SLAVE function is activated).
• The CANON measurement port on each segment allows you to connect a PROFIBUS tester and measure each segment separately, but from one location.
• LEDs on each segment clearly indicate the communication status - OK, ERROR, no signal.
• You can establish a redundant connection to a second ProfiHub module via channels 4 and 5.
• You can set a specific PB speed permanently (which is an effective protection against unwanted network speed reduction in the PB Master station, the ProfiHub will not let any speed other than the set speed to continue).
• The small compact design takes up very little space in the rack (de facto replaces 5 side by side connected classic PB repeaters).
• It is a cost-effective solution - 5 side-by-side classic PB repeaters would cost more.
  
  
  

Example of cascade connection of ProfiHub A5 multirepeaters.

Application areas

• Dynamic spur lines to actuators, flow meters and pH analyzers
• Star, tree and bus structured networks
• Removable drives and motors
• Outdoor applications with device and cable stress
• Roof mounted devices in tank farms
• Dirty and humid environments
• Barrier for non-galvanic isolated equipment

Your benefits

• Hot slave insertion/removal during operation
• Short circuit protection on each channel
• Compact and robust construction
• On-board DB9 female connector for maintenance activities
• Suitable for all DP cables
• Conveniently arranged networks
• Extendable installations
• Save costs

Product features

• 5 Isolated repeater channels (6 segments)
• Transparent for all PROFIBUS DP protocols
• Suitable for PROFIsafe and MPI networks
• 31 devices per channel
• 9.6 Kbps - 12 Mbps
• Max. 1200 m segment length (depends on baudrate)
• Integrated termination facilities
• Configurable grounding system
• Glands or optional M12 connectors (16012)
• IP 65 classification

The connection of PROFIBUS cables to the ProfiHub A5 repeater is made via screw connectors.

Each PROFIBUS segment in the ProfiHub A5 multirepeater can be terminated with a built-in resistor.