Erika Grayson, Global Data Product Line Manager at Belden, deep dives into Industrial Ethernet cables — addressing applications and benefits, sharing key selection criteria, and introducing Belden’s DataTuff Industrial Ethernet portfolio.
The global Industrial Ethernet market was valued at $12.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to a value of $21.10 billion by 2033. And that’s no surprise given that Industrial Ethernet cables are the backbone of modern industrial operations — enabling the secure and reliable transmission of data and facilitating advancements ranging from IT/OT convergence to scalability.
We spoke to Erika Grayson, the Global Data Product Line Manager at Belden, to learn more. Here, Erika deep dives into Industrial Ethernet cables, explaining that they’re built to withstand a wide range of harsh environmental conditions and provide faster data transmission speeds, higher reliability, and more robust security than Wi-Fi connections. She also addresses applications, shares key selection criteria, and introduces Belden’s DataTuff Industrial Ethernet portfolio.
Q1. Hi Erika. Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about Belden.
I’m Erika Grayson, and I’m the Global Data Product Line Manager for the Automation Systems business unit at Belden, which was founded as a wire and cable manufacturing company in 1902 but is actively transitioning into a full network solutions provider to better serve the world’s rapidly evolving power and data demands. As such, we now offer an extensive selection of wire, cable, connectors, cordsets, assemblies, and accessories in addition to tools, labels, I/O systems, and a growing variety of industrial networking and cybersecurity solutions, including edge devices, switches, converters, and software solutions — all of which combine to create complete network solutions optimized for virtually any industrial application environment.
I started my career at Belden as a product manager for broadcast cables and connectivity in August 2021. In my next role, I served as the product manager for copper Industrial Ethernet cable, and I recently transitioned into my current role, in which I manage both copper and fiber data cables and connectivity solutions.
Q2. You joined us today to talk about Industrial Ethernet cable. So, let’s dive in. What should people know?
Industrial Ethernet is a communication standard developed for local area networks or LANs. All Ethernet cables provide you with flexibility, control, ease of expansion, and open infrastructure growth possibilities. They also offer many advantages over Wi-Fi connections. For example, they’re consistently faster and more stable, exhibit lower latency, and are a lot less susceptible to interference and security breaches.
The key point to remember about Industrial Ethernet cable versus commercial or enterprise-grade Ethernet cable is that industrial-grade products are designed and constructed to withstand harsher, more challenging operating conditions that aren’t found in offices, data centers, and other controlled environments. These conditions stem from both machinery and environmental factors and include exposure to vibration, noise, humidity, radiation, pressure, extreme temperatures, moisture, oil, chemicals, abrasions, and more. Industrial Ethernet cables are built to withstand these and other harsh-environment conditions and are ideal for use in applications including OEM factories, oil refineries, processing plants, and transportation centers, such as train or bus stations.
Industrial Ethernet networks typically consist of cables and connectors or cordsets that are used to connect the cables to equipment including switches, I/O modules, variable frequency drives, HMIs, programmable logic controllers, and wireless access points. This technology is also very critical for IT/OT convergence, which requires gathering all the necessary data on the OT side and sending it to the IT side.
Q3. What common challenges do people face when it comes to selecting and implementing Industrial Ethernet cable, and do you have any advice for overcoming these challenges?
Selecting the proper cable for your application makes all the difference. First, it’s important to identify if you require a permanent installation or need something that will be connected and disconnected regularly, as these impermanent applications often require cable designed for moderate or continuous flexing. Data rates are also important. If a customer needs to transmit up to 10 gigabits, a CAT 5e cable won’t satisfy those needs. Jacket material is important because some applications, like many transit applications, require a low-smoke zero halogen jacket while other applications require a PVC jacket because it’s a lot more flexible. Shielding is important if you have a noisy environment or a lot of vibration where the cable is installed. Fire ratings are another important consideration, because choosing a cable that doesn’t have the correct rating can result in consequences ranging from failed inspections to dangerous fire hazards.
Installation location can affect cable robustness, flexure, jacket, and shielding requirements and is just one of many variables that can help you identify the right Industrial Ethernet cable for your application.
When we’re helping customers pick the right cable for their use case and application environment, we ask tons of questions. Some of the things we ask about are if chemicals will be present, if it’s a washdown environment, if the application uses robotic arms, and if it’s going to be outside, buried in the ground, installed in a tight area, or subjected to rough handling while it’s being installed. All of these questions and more factor into choosing the right cable.
Q4. Please introduce us to Belden’s DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables.
Our Industrial Ethernet cable design is unique. We have a very specific construction method that allows us to set ourselves apart in the market. Most of our DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables have what’s called a bonded pair construction. The insulation on each of the conductor pairs is bonded together along the longitudinal axis of the pairs, and that prevents them from separating and untwisting as the cable is pulled and moved.
Another part of this construction involves carefully extruded insulation around each conductor that keeps the conductors perfectly centered within that insulation, providing both concentricity and centricity, which is the center distance of the conductors. This makes DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables less susceptible to outside noise and prevents them from radiating their own signal as readily as other cables on the market, which ensures good impedance, lower return loss, and a better signal to noise ratio.
We coined the term “Installable Performance” in relation to these cables because this method of construction ensures that the electrical performance that we’re promising on our technical datasheets is actually what customers can expect when they’re using the product. That also sets DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables apart from the competition.
The quality of our products starts with our engineers who design them. Belden is proud to employ a highly specialized group of engineers that have significant electrical expertise. This is how we ensure that our R&D team has the knowledge they need to troubleshoot, design, and test all of our products — and not only in the initial concept phase but all the way through to a successful product launch.
Before we launch a new cable product, our engineers conduct nine different rigorous tests, including cold impact, high temperature, and UV exposure, to ensure that our cables will live up to the standards we print on our technical datasheets. As such, our extensive Industrial Ethernet product portfolio can be trusted to solve virtually any application demand.
Our product line offers a wide variety of Industrial Ethernet cables and cordsets, including the DataTuff series, connectors, including RJ45 connectors, and accessories, including faceplates.
Our DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables offer low-flex options for permanent installations, moderate flex options for broad suitability, and continuous flex options for impermanent or particularly active installations, like robotic arms. These cables are available in CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7, PROFINET, and Single-Pair Ethernet versions with data rates spanning 100Mb/s – 10Gb/s and operating temperature ratings extending from -70°C to +150°C.
Q5. Are there any other products that industrial customers might need to complete their Industrial Ethernet cable installation?
Belden offers a variety of accessories to provide customers with full network solutions. We’ve got faceplates, patch panels, connector kits, surface mount boxes, switches, I/O modules, and tools. So, our customers can enjoy the dual benefits of getting their needs met with a single purchase order and having access to the highly experienced Belden customer service team if they have questions.
In particular, our patented REVConnect connectors (pictured) are extremely versatile and have a unique insulation-piercing termination option that prevents customers from having to unbond the pairs within the cable to use this system. This makes termination much easier and more reliable and ensures extremely secure connections in the field. Additionally, unlike other connectors, this termination process is the same for both the plug and the jack, which reduces the amount of training needed and offers more flexibility during installation.
Q6. Is there anything else you’d like RS customers to know about Belden or its DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables, connectors, and accessories?
I think it’s important to know that Belden backs its Industrial Ethernet cable with a 10-year warranty because that’s pretty significant in the market. Our engineering, sales, customer service, and product management teams are highly focused on customers in general. So, when you purchase with Belden, you’re not only getting a high-quality product but a product that’s backed by high-quality expertise, warranty, and service. We stand by both our products and our customers.
Reliably transmit your data with robust Industrial Ethernet cables from Belden and RS
Belden designs and develops complete connectivity solutions that are engineered to enable a safer, smarter, and more prosperous future and backed by more than 120 years of experience.
RS offers an extensive selection of Belden connectivity products, including Industrial Ethernet cables and cable assemblies, like DataTuff Industrial Ethernet cables, corresponding connectors, such as DataTuff RJ45 connectors and REVConnect industrial connectors, and accessories ranging from faceplates, patch panels, and surface mount boxes to switches, I/O modules, and tools.
To learn more about DataTuff Industrial Ethernet solutions, please click the links embedded here. To learn more about Belden, check out the company’s other contributions to the RS Expert Advice Series. For assistance identifying, procuring, deploying, and maintaining Belden Industrial Ethernet products designed to reliably transmit data in virtually any industrial environment, please contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722 or reach out to the RS technical support team.
