Phoenix Contact FL SWITCH LM Series Industrial Ethernet Switches: Comprehensive Selection Guide

I. Series Overview: Lean Managed Switches for Industrial Automation

The FL SWITCH LM series offers compact, reliable managed Ethernet switching designed specifically for industrial automation environments. With extended temperature range (-40°C to +70°C) and PROFINET conformance class A support, these switches provide robust performance in harsh factory conditions while maintaining cost efficiency Phoenix Contact USA.

Key benefits:

• Lean Management: Essential network management features without unnecessary complexity
• Wide Compatibility: Supports multiple industrial protocols (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP)
• Rugged Design: Industrial-grade construction for vibration/shock resistance
• Flexible Port Configurations: Multiple copper (RJ45) and fiber (FX) options
• Redundancy Support: Network resilience through RSTP (IEEE 802.1w) and ring detection

II. Complete Product Matrix: Part Number vs. Full Model vs. Features

1. 8-Port Copper Series (8TX Variants)

2. 5-Port Copper Series (5TX Variants)

3. 4-Port Copper + 2-Port Fiber Series (4TX/2FX Variants)

4. 4-Port Copper + 1-Port Fiber Series (4TX/1FX Variants)

III. Nomenclature Explained: Decoding the Part Numbers

FL SWITCH LM [Port Config]-[Suffix]

• LM: Lean Managed Switch (core series identifier)
• Port Config:
  • 8TX: 8 RJ45 (copper) ports
  • 5TX: 5 RJ45 ports
  • 4TX/2FX: 4 RJ45 + 2 fiber ports
  • 4TX/1FX: 4 RJ45 + 1 fiber port
  • TX: Twisted Pair (copper) port
  • FX: Fiber port (SC/ST connector types)
• Suffixes:
  • -E: Preconfigured for EtherNet/IP protocol
  • -B: Preconfigured for PROFINET with PTCP filter Phoenix Contact USA
  • -SM: Special Managed (additional features: enhanced diagnostics, port mirroring) Phoenix Contact USA
  • -ST: Uses ST-type fiber connectors (single-mode)

IV. Key Technical Parameters

V. 3-Step Selection Guide

Step 1: Determine Required Ports

• All Copper: Choose 8TX/5TX variants for standard Ethernet connections
• Mixed Copper/Fiber: Select 4TX/2FX or 4TX/1FX for extending networks over long distances
• Fiber Type:
  • SC connectors: General-purpose, easy installation
  • ST connectors: More rugged, suitable for harsh environments

Step 2: Select Protocol Support

• PROFINET Environments: Choose -B variants (2989446, 2989459)
• EtherNet/IP Environments: Choose -E variants (2891466, 2891660)
• General Purpose: Standard variants (no suffix) work in any environment

Step 3: Choose Additional Features

• Enhanced Management: -SM variants offer advanced diagnostics and monitoring
• Single-mode Fiber: -ST variants for longer distances (up to 20km)
• Alarm Contact: -E variants include a configurable alarm contact for system monitoring

VI. Application Scenarios & Recommended Models

VII. Important Notes & Considerations

1. Compatibility Check: Ensure switch firmware is compatible with your automation system
2. Power Redundancy: For critical applications, choose models with redundant power inputs
3. Fiber Type: Multi-mode (SC) for short distances (<5km), single-mode (ST) for longer distances
4. Firmware Updates: All models support firmware updates via web interface or TFTP
5. -E Models Note: These include a preconfigured web server with EtherNet/IP settings
6. -SM Models Note: Offer enhanced port mirroring, traffic monitoring, and diagnostic capabilities Phoenix Contact USA

VIII. Conclusion: Choose the Right Switch for Your Industrial Network

The Phoenix Contact FL SWITCH LM series provides versatile, reliable Ethernet switching for industrial automation with a range of port configurations and protocol support. By matching the port requirements, protocol needs, and environmental conditions, you can select the optimal model for your application.

For mission-critical applications, consider the -SM variants for enhanced management; for protocol-specific environments, choose -E (EtherNet/IP) or -B (PROFINET) models; and for fiber extensions, select the appropriate fiber type (SC for multi-mode, ST for single-mode).