Pepperl+Fuchs: New Surge Protection Modules – Improved Safety for Signal, Fieldbus, and Ethernet Lines in the Process Industry
November 3, 2026
In the process industry, hardly any risk is underestimated as often as that of overvoltage. In facilities such as refineries or large-scale water management plants, transient overvoltages can damage apparatus, disrupt control and automation systems, or take entire sections of the plant offline. The consequences range from costly production downtime and property damage to risks to plant and personal safety.
Yet lightning strikes are usually not the cause. In up to 80% of cases, surges are caused by operational events such as switching operations, electrostatic discharges, as well as ground faults and short circuits. Pepperl+Fuchs is addressing this need with a series of new surge protection modules: These devices reduce installation effort in demanding process plants, reliably protect signal, fieldbus, and Ethernet lines, and thus help maximize plant availability and minimize the risk of failure in demanding industrial and hazardous environments.
Surge Protection for Field DevicesNew Modules for Signal Line Protection
Measurement and control signals are the foundation of every process plant. To ensure reliable operation, they must be effectively protected against overvoltage—both at the field level and at the I/O level of control systems. The new surge protection devices expand the portfolio with solutions for Ethernet and signal lines, field devices, as well as power supply and data interfaces in hazardous areas. They address specific requirements such as high signal currents, intrinsically safe measurement loops and bus systems, as well as energy-coordinated and fault-safe protection concepts.
The portfolio includes DIN-rail modules, screw-terminated modules for field devices, and plug-in modules for the K-System—designed to meet a wide range of installation requirements in hazardous areas classified as Zones 1/21 and 2/22, as well as Class I, Div. 1 and Class II, Div. 2.
With the F*-LB-Ex-11*7 module, Pepperl+Fuchs offers pressure-resistant surge protection devices (SPDs) designed to be screwed directly onto field devices in hazardous areas. The devices protect two 24-V lines—either the field device’s power supply and a 24-V signal circuit, or two 24-V signal circuits. The F*-LB-Ex-1147 model combines Ex(i) and Ex(d) protection in a single device.
This means that a single device is sufficient for typical field devices such as 4…20-mA measuring signal converters, 2-wire process field devices, positioners, or intelligent valve controls.
Surge Protection for Fieldbus SystemsNew Modules for Data and Ethernet Cables
Along with the growing volume of data in industrial networks, the need for security is also increasing. Pepperl+Fuchs is expanding its product portfolio to include compact surge protection barriers for Ethernet cables. These not only reduce the space required in the control cabinet but also minimize the overall planning and installation effort.
The combination arresters combine protection against direct lightning strikes (Type 1) and indirectly coupled surges (Type 2) in a single device. Ethernet is routed via RJ45 connectors, so separate protection stages are not needed. With transmission class EA per ISO/IEC 11801, frequencies up to 500 MHz, and full 10 Gbit/s Ethernet compatibility, the modules are future-proof. An integrated status indicator and optional remote monitoring simplify condition monitoring. PoE++ and 4PPoE support also protects powered devices such as IP cameras, access points, and smart sensors.
Certified to ATEX, IECEx, CCC, and UL, the series is also suitable for hazardous environments.
Benefits of the New Surge Protection Modules
- Comprehensive protection with a single portfolio: End-to-end surge protection for power, signal, and data lines, including applications in hazardous areas
- Protection for every critical connection: Reliable protection from the control cabinet to the field device
- Suitable for a wide range of industries: Flexible solutions for power supply, infrastructure, manufacturing, and process automation
- Industrial protection from a single source: One partner for comprehensive surge protection architectures worldwide
