PROFIBUS and PROFINET are both industrial communication standards, but they are not interchangeable. Knowing which one a device uses matters when you replace a CPU or add I/O.
PROFIBUS DP
A serial fieldbus over a two-wire cable, widely used on S7-300, S7-400 and ET 200 systems. It requires correct termination and unique addresses.
PROFINET
An Ethernet-based standard that uses standard network infrastructure, supports more devices and gives access to diagnostics through the network.
Mixing the two
- A gateway or a controller with both interfaces can bridge the networks.
- Newer CPUs often have PROFINET only, so older PROFIBUS devices may need an extra module.
- Check the cable length, baud rate and address plan before you commission.
Our industrial networking range includes communication processors, cables and switches. If you are unsure what you need, send us your network diagram.