"Simplify, save time, save money, value design." If you're an engineer, these aren’t just buzzwords; they're expectations built into every project.
The good news? Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) is designed to help. By combining data and power into a single streamlined connection, SPE reduces cabling complexity, lowers costs, and increases efficiency, especially in industrial environments.
With faster data transmission, greater flexibility, and seamless integration into existing systems, SPE is quickly becoming the preferred choice for modern industrial networks. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And why is it gaining traction across industries?
In this guide, we’ll break down how SPE simplifies industrial connectivity, explore real-world applications, and highlight why it’s shaping the future of automation.
Let’s dive in!
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Single-Pair Ethernet | Advantages | Applications | Role in IIoT | Capabilities & Standards | Existing Fieldbus Systems | Future-Proofing | Additional Resources | Frequently Asked Questions
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Traditionally, industrial networks have relied on a mixture of standard Ethernet at the control and enterprise level, and fieldbuses at the device level, requiring four or more pairs of wires to transmit data, twisted pair wiring for fieldbuses, and often, separate cabling for power. That means bulky wiring, complex installations, and higher costs, especially when connecting numerous small devices like sensors or controllers.
Enter Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE). Instead of needing multiple wire pairs for Ethernet communications, SPE transmits Ethernet signals using just one pair, reaching speeds of up to 1 Gb/s while also delivering power and data in a single streamlined connection. This means fewer cables, lower costs, and easier integration, especially for compact industrial devices.
It’s like switching from one of those cheap, multi-cable phone chargers that break after a day, to a modern USB-C cable that handles both power and data in one sleek connection. Just like USB-C revolutionized personal devices, SPE is transforming industrial networking by offering a new standard that’s simpler, lighter, and more efficient.
By reducing cabling needs and simplifying infrastructure, SPE unlocks new possibilities for industrial environments, with applications in factory automation, process automation, and smart buildings.
One of the standout benefits of SPE is its significant reduction in cabling size and weight, up to 25% smaller and 35% lighter compared to traditional Ethernet cables.
While SPE delivers high data rates for short runs, its true industrial advantage lies in variants like T1L, which enable cable runs up to 1,000 meters, providing a robust, future-proof alternative to legacy fieldbus systems across expansive factories and process plants.
SPE offers remarkable versatility, supporting multiple network topologies to meet diverse industrial needs. It enables both point-to-point connections, which are direct device-to-device or device-to-switch links, and multi-drop (daisy-chain) configurations, allowing multiple devices, such as sensors on a production line, to connect along a single cable run.
This flexibility simplifies installation and maintenance and can optimize cabling infrastructure. The multi-drop variant, such as T1S, excels in applications inside control cabinets where multiple devices need to be connected efficiently.
Traditionally, industrial sensors and devices required a gateway to translate analog and fieldbus signals before data could be transmitted over Ethernet. SPE, however, serves solely as a physical layer, allowing any Ethernet-based protocol to be sent directly to sensors or actuators. With an assigned IP address, an SPE field device becomes a native part of the Ethernet network, simplifying integration and communication. This results in:
For example, a humidity and temperature sensor using Modbus RTU would typically require separate power and data lines, plus a gateway to convert its signal to Ethernet. With SPE, an Ethernet-enabled sensor can directly connect to the switch and transmit data in real-time.
One of the most significant advantages of SPE is its ability to transmit both power and data over a single cable using Power over Data Line (PoDL). This eliminates the need for separate power wiring, simplifying installations and reducing costs, especially for industrial applications like sensors, actuators, and field devices that require both communication and power.
SPE supports two main nominal voltages for PoDL. In industrial settings, 24 Vdc is standard and corresponds to Power Classes 10, 11, and 12, designed to meet typical factory automation power needs. In the telecom industry, SPE often operates at 48 Vdc, carrying forward the historical telephone landline voltages, and can replace conventional Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems with Power Classes 13, 14, and 15, all delivered efficiently over just a single pair of wires.
By integrating power and data into a single connection, PoDL enhances efficiency, reduces infrastructure complexity, and ensures continuous operation, a critical benefit for industries relying on automation, process control, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks.
Another advantage of SPE over traditional Ethernet is range:
Traditional Ethernet typically reaches 100 meters (or 328 feet).
vs.
SPE (at 10 Mbps) can extend up to 1 kilometer (or 3,280 feet).
This makes SPE ideal for sensors in remote factory locations where fiber optics would otherwise be necessary. SPE provides a cost-effective alternative to fiber for industries needing long-range, reliable connectivity.
Initial applications of SPE include Building Automation, Environmental Sensors, Food and Beverage processing, and Access Control. Additionally, SPE combined with Advanced Physical Layer (APL) technology is gaining traction in heavy process industries such as Oil & Gas, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical sectors.
The advantages of SPE are already being realized across various industries, improving efficiency, scalability, and connectivity. Here’s how SPE is making an impact:
Additionally, SPE’s two-wire physical layer allows for the use of existing cable infrastructure, enabling easier and more cost-effective IP communication deployments.
With robust transmission speeds up to 1 Gbps, SPE adheres to standards such as IEEE 802.3cg and IEC 63171-5, ensuring reliability and compatibility across a variety of industries.
This image provides an overview of IEEE Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) Standards and Working Groups, illustrating the different SPE transmission speeds and their corresponding maximum distances.
SPE integrates effortlessly with established protocols like Profinet and EtherCAT, simplifying retrofits and maintaining continuity within existing network setups.
And according to IEB Media, the first in-cabinet T1S systems are being launched by ODVA in 2025, marking an important step toward practical deployment. This compatibility allows industries to transition smoothly to SPE (provided that the existing cable infrastructure is tested and validated for SPE transmission) without major infrastructure disruptions.
As industries move toward Industry 4.0, the demand for fast, reliable, and scalable networking is greater than ever. SPE is at the forefront of this shift, enabling seamless real-time data exchange between IT and OT systems, essential for IIoT applications.
SPE simplifies IIoT implementation by providing high-speed communication with lower infrastructure costs. By eliminating complex wiring and offering direct device-to-cloud connectivity, SPE enhances predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
SPE aligns with emerging industrial networking standards like Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and IEC 61918, ensuring compatibility with next-generation automation systems. Its ability to support higher data rates, longer transmission distances, and energy-efficient networking makes it a future-proof solution for industrial communication.
With its role in IIoT and future-ready design, SPE is shaping the next generation of industrial networking, delivering faster, smarter, and more efficient connectivity for evolving applications.
Single-Pair Ethernet is transforming industrial communication by simplifying network infrastructure, reducing costs, and enabling seamless data and power transmission. As industries continue to adopt smarter, more connected systems, SPE stands as a future-ready solution for enhanced efficiency and scalability.
Have Questions About SPE for Your Application?
Contact our team for personalized guidance on industrial networking solutions.
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