Description
Product Overview
The N-Tron 508FX2 is an industrial Ethernet switch from the N-Tron 500 Series, designed to connect copper Ethernet devices while providing two fiber-optic uplinks for longer-distance or electrically isolated network segments. The standard 508FX2 configuration provides six 10/100BaseTX RJ45 ports and two 100BaseFX multimode fiber ports. The copper interfaces use shielded RJ45 connectors, while the fiber interfaces use IEEE-compliant SC or ST duplex connectors depending on the ordered configuration.
For industrial control networks, the N-Tron 508FX2 sits at the network infrastructure layer rather than inside the PLC I/O architecture. It can connect controllers, operator stations, drives, remote I/O gateways, and other Ethernet equipment while extending selected links over multimode fiber. The documented multimode fiber reach is up to 2 km, using 50–62.5/125 µm fiber, with 1310 nm operation identified in the technical documentation.
From a maintenance standpoint, the N-Tron 508FX2 is particularly relevant where an older industrial Ethernet installation still depends on the N-Tron 500 Series form factor and port arrangement. The switch operates from 10–30 VDC redundant input power, supports 4,000 MAC addresses, uses store-and-forward switching, and has a specified minimum latency of approximately 2.2 µs in the documented 508FX2 specification. Its 35 mm DIN-rail mounting and steel enclosure make it suited to control cabinets and industrial network panels.
Product Introduction
A six-port copper switch with two fiber uplinks solves a different problem from a conventional office Ethernet switch: the network may need copper connectivity at the cabinet while the backbone leaves the cabinet through fiber. The 508FX2 was designed around exactly that arrangement, with 100BaseFX multimode uplinks and 10/100BaseTX copper ports.
For a legacy replacement, check the complete ordering code. The suffix can identify management functionality, N-View capability, and the fiber connector type. Buying solely against the base string “508FX2” is not enough when the existing installation depends on a specific ST or SC interface.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | N-Tron 508FX2 |
| Manufacturer / Brand | N-Tron |
| Product Series | N-Tron 500 Series |
| Product Type | Industrial Ethernet Switch |
| Total Ports | 8 |
| Copper Ports | 6 × 10/100BaseTX |
| Fiber Ports | 2 × 100BaseFX multimode |
| Copper Connector | RJ45 |
| Fiber Connector | SC or ST duplex, depending on suffix |
| Fiber Type | Multimode |
| Fiber Reach | Up to 2 km |
| Fiber Wavelength | 1310 nm |
| Fiber Size | 50–62.5/125 µm |
| Switching Method | Store and Forward |
| Backplane Speed | 2.6 Gb/s |
| MAC Addresses | 4,000 |
| Minimum Latency | Approximately 2.2 µs |
| Input Voltage | 10–30 VDC redundant |
| Current | 380 mA at 24 VDC; maximum 1.0 A |
| Inrush Current | 8.5 A / 0.2 ms at 24 VDC |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Standard -S Temperature | -20°C to +70°C operating; -40°C to +85°C storage |
| Relative Humidity | 10–95%, non-condensing |
| DIN-Rail | 35 mm |
| Dimensions | Approx. 2.3 × 5.9 × 3.8 in. |
| Weight | Approx. 1.7 lb |
| Serial Configuration | 9600, N, 8, 1 |
| Installation | DIN rail / industrial panel |
| Management Variants | Standard, Advanced Management (-A), or N-View (-N), depending on suffix |
The published documentation distinguishes the base 508FX2 from variants such as 508FX2-A and 508FX2-N. The “-A” version adds Advanced Management Features including N-View, while “-N” identifies N-View OPC switch monitoring. Fiber connector and temperature options also appear in the ordering code.
N-Tron 508FX2
Related Products
- N-Tron 508TX — Eight-port copper Ethernet switch using 10/100BaseTX connections; relevant where fiber uplinks are not required.
- N-Tron 509FX — Adds a multimode fiber uplink arrangement to the 508TX-style copper architecture; useful for comparison when the number of copper ports must be higher.
- N-Tron 508FXE2 — Similar 8-port architecture but uses singlemode extended-range fiber rather than the standard multimode fiber configuration.
- N-Tron 508FX2-A — 508FX2 variant with Advanced Management Features and N-View capability.
- N-Tron 508FX2-N — Variant incorporating N-View OPC switch monitoring.
- N-Tron 516TX — Larger 500 Series copper switch intended for installations requiring substantially more Ethernet connections.
- N-Tron 526FX — Higher-port-count 500 Series switch with multiple fiber uplink capability.
FAQ
What is the N-Tron 508FX2 used for?
It is an industrial Ethernet switch used to connect Ethernet equipment over six copper 10/100BaseTX ports and two 100BaseFX multimode fiber uplinks. It is network infrastructure, not a PLC CPU or remote I/O module.
What fiber distance does the 508FX2 support?
The documented multimode configuration supports up to 2 km. The published fiber characteristics specify 50–62.5/125 µm multimode fiber and 1310 nm wavelength.
Can I use singlemode fiber with a standard 508FX2?
Do not assume that. The standard 508FX2 is specified with multimode 100BaseFX uplinks. The 508FXE2 is the related singlemode extended-range version, with ordering options for 15, 40, or 80 km segments.
Does the 508FX2 support redundant power?
Yes. The documented input is 10–30 VDC redundant input, making the power arrangement suitable for industrial control cabinets where a second DC source is available.
Does the 508FX2 support firmware or network management?
That depends on the exact suffix. The documentation identifies standard, -A Advanced Management, and -N N-View variants. Do not assume that a base 508FX2 and a 508FX2-A have identical management capabilities.
Can I hot-swap this switch?
The hardware documentation does not establish a universal hot-swap procedure. In a production control network, treat replacement as a planned network intervention unless the site’s approved procedure explicitly permits live replacement. Removing the switch can interrupt every connected device and any control traffic routed through it.
What should I verify before buying a replacement?
Check the complete part number, fiber connector type (SC or ST), multimode versus singlemode requirement, management suffix, temperature option, power arrangement, and existing network configuration. This is especially important with older 500 Series equipment because “508FX2” identifies the product family, while the suffix can materially change the configuration.
Is New Surplus 508FX2 suitable for a legacy system?
It can be, provided the exact hardware configuration matches the installed switch. For a discontinued or legacy network component, I would document the nameplate, connector type, suffix, power-up behavior, port link status, and fiber communication before releasing it for plant service.
