Description
N-Tron 508FX2-ST | Red Lion Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch
Dynamic Product Introduction
High electromagnetic interference (EMI) and long distances between industrial control cabinets often cause packet corruption across standard copper Ethernet runs. The N-Tron / Red Lion Controls 508FX2-ST switch solves these noise and distance constraints by bridging six 10/100BaseTX copper ports directly to two 100BaseFX multimode fiber-optic ports using secure bayonet-style ST connectors.
Encased in a ruggedized metal DIN-rail housing, the 508FX2-ST supports advanced management features like N-Ring ring redundancy (sub-30ms recovery time), IGMP snooping, VLANs, and N-View monitoring. Replacing or deploying a 508FX2-ST switch maintains real-time PLC-to-HMI communications, isolates local device networks from ground loops, and protects network backbones across harsh industrial environments.
508FX2-ST
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification Detail |
| Part / Model Number | 508FX2-ST |
| OEM Manufacturer | Red Lion Controls / N-Tron |
| Copper Ports | 6 x 10/100BaseTX RJ45 auto-sensing ports |
| Fiber Ports | 2 x 100BaseFX multimode fiber ports with ST connectors |
| Fiber Range & Wavelength | Up to 2 km (1300 nm wavelength, 62.5/125 µm or 50/125 µm fiber) |
| Redundancy Protocols | N-Ring (fast ring recovery < 30 ms), N-Link, Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP) |
| Power Inputs | Dual redundant 10–30 VDC screw terminals |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to 185°F) |
| Enclosure & Mounting | Heavy-duty metal case with integrated DIN-rail mount |
| Certifications | UL/cUL Class I, Div 2 (Zone 2), CE, RoHS, IEEE 802.3/3u/3x |
Global Sourcing & Live-Test SOP (Transparency Core)
Deploying industrial networking hardware in mission-critical automation rings requires verification of both physical fiber transceivers and firmware logic. Here is our bench validation protocol for every incoming 508FX2-ST switch:
Inbound Verification
- Optical inspection of all RJ45 connector pins, fiber ST ports, and screw terminal blocks for bent pins, physical wear, or dust contamination.
- Cross-referencing part numbers (
508FX2-ST) and hardware build codes against Red Lion manufacturing databases.
Live Bench Simulation & Network Ring Setup
- The 508FX2-ST is connected to a test bench power supply across redundant V+ and V- inputs (24 VDC).
- ST optical patch cables link the switch into an active N-Ring topology with adjacent 500-series switches, while copper ports connect to test PCs and PLCs.
Functional Load & Stress Testing
- Continuous high-bandwidth packet streaming across both fiber transceivers tests optical power margin and packet delivery at full wire speed.
- An intentional ring break test verifies sub-30ms failover recovery without lost HMI connections or dropped PLC heartbeats.
- Thermal testing at 60°C ensures zero optical transmitter power degradation or system processor lockups.
Final Prep
- Protective rubber dust caps are installed over both ST fiber ports.
- Switch configuration is restored to factory defaults and sealed inside anti-static ESD packaging.
The Field Engineer’s Pitfall Guide
❗ Confusing ST and SC Fiber Connector Variants (508FX2-ST vs 508FX2-SC):
The ST suffix specifies twist-lock bayonet optical connectors. Ordering a 508FX2-ST when your existing plant fiber patch panel uses push-pull SC connectors will require hybrid ST-to-SC optical patch cables or adapter couplings.
❗ Mixing Multimode and Singlemode Fiber Cabling:
The standard 508FX2-ST is built for multimode fiber (1300 nm, 2 km max range). Connecting singlemode fiber cables to a standard multimode ST port results in high attenuation, optical mismatch, and total link drop. (Singlemode applications require the 508FX2E-ST-15/40/80 variants).
❗ Ignoring Fault Relay Wiring:
The 508FX2-ST features an internal fault relay output contact. Failing to wire this fault contact into a PLC digital input or panel alarm light means a dropped power rail or broken fiber ring port might go unnoticed until a secondary failure shuts down the network completely.
Intent-Driven FAQ
What is the difference between 508FX2-ST and 508FX2-A-ST?
The -A suffix in N-Tron part numbering denotes advanced management software capabilities enabled (such as N-Ring manager mode, N-View monitoring, DHCP server, and VLAN support). Standard units can often be upgraded or ordered with -A options enabled.
Can I use the ST fiber ports to connect to switches from other manufacturers?
Yes. The 100BaseFX ST optical ports adhere to standard IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet specifications and can connect to any standard 100BaseFX multimode interface (1300 nm). However, proprietary ring protocols like N-Ring require N-Tron/Red Lion switches across the ring nodes.
Does the 508FX2-ST require software configuration out of the box?
No. Out of the box, the 508FX2-ST functions as an unmanaged plug-and-play switch. You only need to configure software settings if you plan to enable VLANs, IGMP snooping, or N-Ring manager configurations via the serial/web interface or N-View utility.
What is the maximum distance supported by the fiber ports on this switch?
The 508FX2-ST supports multimode fiber runs up to 2 km (1.2 miles) using standard 62.5/125 µm or 50/125 µm optical fiber cable.
What warranty is provided on surplus or refurbished N-Tron switches?
Every 508FX2-ST switch passing through our bench qualification protocol includes a full 1-year replacement warranty covering port link integrity, fiber transceiver output, power input redundancy, and firmware stability.
