Hirschmann MS20-1600SAAEHC – Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch for Harsh, Space-Limited Control Panels

The model code “MS20-1600SAAEHC” points to a Hirschmann OpenRail MS20 managed switch with 16 Fast Ethernet copper ports, redundant 24 VDC power, and an extended-temperature, conformal-coated build. From my experience, this variant is a favorite in machine lines and process skids where you need stable Layer 2 switching, fast recovery (RSTP/HIPER-Ring), and reliable operation from cold starts to hot cabinets.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Lead time: 1 week if in stock; no more than 1 month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment, remaining 50% before delivery
• Shipping: FedEx, UPS, DHL

One thing I appreciate is how straightforward the rollout is—most teams receive, mount, power, and commission these within a single shift, especially if configurations are pre-staged.

Key Features

• 16 × 10/100BASE‑TX (RJ45) ports – Auto-negotiation and Auto MDI/MDI-X simplify field cabling and device changes.
• Redundant 24 VDC power inputs – Typically 18–32 VDC, dual-feed resilience keeps the network up during a PSU switchover.
• Extended temperature & conformal coating – The “EHC” suffix indicates extended temp operation and board coating for dusty or humid cabinets.
• Industrial L2 management – VLAN (802.1Q), QoS (802.1p), IGMP Snooping, port mirroring, and storm control for deterministic control traffic.
• Network redundancy – RSTP/MSTP, HIPER-Ring, and in many cases MRP client support for quick recovery in ring and mixed topologies.
• Secure & easy management – Web interface, SNMPv1/v2c/v3, SSH/Telnet options; simple integration with existing NMS.
• DIN-rail, fanless, IP30 – Quiet, compact installation for control panels and junction boxes with limited airflow.

You might notice that the 16-port copper layout is perfect when you’ve got a cabinet PLC, HMIs, drives, and a handful of I/O blocks all in the same panel—no fiber uplink needed, just solid Fast Ethernet switching.

Technical Specifications

Related or Supporting Products

• Hirschmann MS20-0800SAAEHC – Same family with 8 Fast Ethernet ports; ideal when space or node count is limited.
• Hirschmann MS20-1600SAAE – Similar 16-port model, without conformal coating; suitable for cleaner, low‑humidity panels.
• Hirschmann BRS20-16TX – Newer BOBCAT platform; offers Gigabit and TSN capabilities if you need higher bandwidth or future TSN migration.
• Hirschmann EAGLE (e.g., EAGLE20) – Industrial firewall to segment your machine network securely when remote access or IT/OT separation is required.
• DIN‑rail 24 VDC industrial power supplies (60–120 W) – For redundant feeds; typically used in pairs with separate MCBs.

A maintenance client recently swapped two aging panel switches for the MS20-1600SAAEHC and saw ring recovery times drop noticeably; they didn’t change their wiring—just leveraged RSTP tuning and a basic HIPER‑Ring where the PLCs needed faster convergence.

Installation & Maintenance

• Panel & cabinet – Mount on 35 mm DIN rail with a solid earth ground. Allow side and top clearance for cable bend radius and heat dissipation; avoid mounting next to high‑heat drives without spacing.
• Power wiring – Use two independent 24 VDC sources (18–32 VDC). Individually fuse each feed (for example 2 A) and connect protective earth. Verify polarity; the device typically tolerates brief reverse but don’t rely on it.
• Networking – Use Cat5e (or better) shielded twisted pair for 100 Mbps runs; keep VFD motor cables segregated or use metal cable ducts to reduce noise.
• Config & security – Change default credentials, enable HTTPS/SNMPv3 where possible, and back up the running config after commissioning.
• Routine maintenance – Quarterly dust check, inspect terminal torque, review event logs, and update firmware during planned downtime. Port LEDs can help spot duplex mismatches or cable damage quickly.
• Firmware & redundancy – If you need quicker failover, enable HIPER‑Ring or tune RSTP parameters; update to a stable firmware build that matches your plant’s standard.

Quality & Certifications

• Certifications – CE, UL/cUL, RoHS compliant; designed for industrial EMC environments (EN 61000 series). Exact file numbers vary by sub-variant.
• Manufacturer policy – Hirschmann typically provides a multi‑year limited warranty on OpenRail products; terms depend on region and registration.
• Our coverage – 365‑day warranty and advance replacement support based on availability.

Note: “Hersman” spelling appears in some requests; the correct brand is Hirschmann. The model MS20-1600SAAEHC corresponds to the Hirschmann OpenRail MS20 family.