4-WIRE P-NET

4-WIRE P-NET is a wiring principle that enables a number of simple devices to be connected by means of a single cable, which provides both communication and a power supply to all of them.

4-WIRE P-NET is always installed as a bus topology and must be terminated at both ends by a PD 990 4-WIRE P-NET Conditioner connected as a termination.

Traditional P-NET devices can be connected to a 4-WIRE P-NET network by including a

PD 990 4-WIRE P-NET Conditioner unit, wired as 4-WIRE conditioner. See example.

A 4-WIRE P-NET bus segment can have a maximum length of 600 metres and contain up to 125 devices.

The cable for 4-WIRE P-NET must be a shielded type with 2 twisted pairs. One twisted pair is used for the supply of power - “power pair”, and one twisted pair is used for communication - “communication pair”.

4-WIRE P-NET topics:

4-WIRE P-NET cables

4-WIRE P-NET Cable shield connection

4-WIRE P-NET Power supply

4-WIRE P-NET bus termination

4-WIRE P-NET Communication reference

Mixing 4-WIRE P-NET and Traditional P-NET networks

Wiring examples:

M36 cluster with local power supply for I/O

M36 cluster as bus power supply

M36 cluster with termination

4-WIRE P-NET termination

4-WIRE P-NET termination and power supply

Traditional P-NET device connected to 4-WIRE P-NET - bus powered

Traditional P-NET device connected to 4-WIRE P-NET - local power supply

Mixing 4-WIRE P-NET and Traditional P-NET networks

4-WIRE P-NET communication reference

4-WIRE P-NET is based on traditional RS485 with the additional special feature: the communication reference. In RS485, all devices must share a communication reference potential. In 4-WIRE P-NET this reference potential is derived from the supply voltage. This ensures that all devices refer to the same potential (with respect to ground), even if there is a voltage drop and voltage variations along the bus cable.

4-WIRE P-NET communication reference circuit principle:

Communication reference circuit

A traditional P-NET device can be included in a 4-WIRE P-NET system by using a PD 990 4-WIRE P-NET Conditioner to create the communication reference. For more details, please refer to: 4-WIRE P-NET connection to a traditional P-NET device.

In the M36 series, the BM 012 base module includes a communication reference circuit, which allows direct connection to 4-WIRE P-NET networks.

Integrated communication referenced circuit in BM 012 modules:

Communication reference circuit

4-WIRE P-NET cable s hield connection:

The shield is connected to ground (chassis) at each device.

The shield should be connected to ground (chassis) using a clamp, or in such a way that ensures an efficient high frequency connection. The shield connection should cover as large an area and have as low a resistance as possible.

The shield should be connected to ground as close to the cabinet cable entrance point as

possible.

Never connect the shield to ground by a pigtail!

Where possible, the mounting plate of the 4-WIRE device should be connected to ground.

4-WIRE P-NET device without ground connection:

If the device cabinet is isolated from ground, the connection terminal area must ensure a good connection between the shields of the two bus cables.

4-WIRE P-NET bus termination:

A 4-WIRE P-NET net segment must be terminated at each end. Termination is achieved by connecting a PD 990 4-WIRE P-NET Conditioner to the first and last node in the network.

The termination serves two purposes. It prevents signal reflections and applies a bias voltage to the A and B wires. The terminator resistor will absorb the signal as it reaches the end of the bus cable, thus avoiding reflections. The bias voltage ensures that a well-defined signal level is present on the communication wires when communication is inactive (bus idle).