Belden launches 384-fiber MPO panel and IO-Link hubs for IT/OT networks

Belden has rolled out a set of edge connectivity, rugged switching, wireless management, high-density fiber infrastructure, and life-safety cabling updates aimed at IT/OT networks in industrial and enterprise environments. The launches span analog sensor integration over IO-Link, centralized WLAN control, field-device connectivity into industrial Ethernet, new MPO density options for data center cross-connects, and additional DC power options for substation and trackside switching.

On the industrial edge, the Belden LioN-X IO-Link Analog Hubs tie analog sensors into an IO-Link network using four configurable ports that can be set for voltage, current, resistance, or thermocouple inputs, plus eight digital inputs in the same device. The hubs are powered over IO-Link, so they don’t require an additional power supply or an M12 L-coded connection.

For wireless operations, Belden Wireless Orchestration is a software-based WLAN controller that manages enterprise and industrial access points from a single dashboard. In OT environments where access points are distributed across plants, yards, and remote sites, centralized control can reduce configuration drift and make it easier to keep policy consistent across mixed industrial and enterprise WLAN deployments.

Belden also introduced the ProSoft 8-Channel HART Gateway (PLX51-HART-8I), which bridges eight isolated HART channels to EtherNet/IP or Modbus. The gateway connects up to 64 field devices into a control system without adding additional gateways to the panel.

On the switching side, Hirschmann GREYHOUND GRS2000 Low Voltage adds a low-voltage DC power supply option, in single or redundant configurations, so the switch can connect directly to an existing low-voltage DC rail used at substations, trackside locations, and process sites—without a separate converter. Belden also called it a migration path for sites moving off the Hirschmann MACH1000 and GRS1020/30 families.

For IT/OT convergence switching, Hirschmann IT MTS 2608/2708 Switches are now available in the Americas and EMEA. These are entry-level, eight-port managed Gigabit Ethernet switches with four 1G SFP+ uplinks, ERPS ring redundancy, and a security suite. The MTS2708 variant adds 802.3at PoE+ with a 125 W power budget.

For data center fiber infrastructure, Belden added an ACX 4U Panel and 12 Port MPO Adaptor Strip for APAC. The company lists support for both preterminated and splice applications, delivering 384F and 192 MPO-12/8 ports in a 4U form factor for MDA and IDA environments, with a pull-out drawer design intended to simplify installation and maintenance.

Belden also expanded its Safe-T-Line cabling with EN 50200 PH120- and CPR Cca-rated options (s1b, d1, a1), offered in shielded and unshielded variants for fire alarm, evacuation, and emergency communications systems that require circuit-integrity cabling.

More product detail is available at belden.com/new-products.