In the Roaring Twenties, manufacturing was changing fast, sparking another common nickname for the era: The Prosperity Decade. Many might argue, however, that the 2020s are even more “roaring.” After all, a full century later, innovation is still moving – and faster than ever. As facilities embrace smart manufacturing initiatives, digital transformation, and Industry 4.0 strategies, the amount of real-time data moving across the plant floor continues to grow. That shift demands communication infrastructure that is faster, simpler, and built to survive the realities of industrial environments.
And Amphenol TPC Wire and Cable's (ATPC) newest Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) cable portfolio was developed with exactly that future in mind.
Unlike traditional industrial Ethernet cables that rely on four twisted pairs, SPE delivers Ethernet communication over just one twisted pair. That seemingly simple design change has a significant impact on automation systems, reducing cable size, weight, and installation complexity while extending Ethernet connectivity all the way from enterprise systems to the devices that generate the data.
“The future of automation requires strong, reliable systems with access to real-time, high-speed data,” said Amy Thomas, Product Manager at ATPC. “Our customers operate in challenging industrial environments, where cables must hold up in extreme conditions. So, our products are designed for durability and long-term performance.”
And so the Trex-Onics® Industrial Single Pair Ethernet and Trex-Onics® High Flex Single Pair Ethernet cables were born. Complete with a heavy-duty combination of tinned copper braid, foil shield, and tinned drain wire providing 100% protection from electromagnetic and radio frequency interference and a halogen-free, flame-retardant polyurethane jacket, this innovation is poised to help plants and industrial environments reduce downtime.
Simplifying the Industrial Network
For decades, connecting every level of an industrial automation system often meant combining multiple communication protocols and intermediary devices to bridge the gap between enterprise networks and field-level equipment.
Single Pair Ethernet changes that architecture.
Rather than treating sensors and field devices as isolated endpoints requiring additional hardware, SPE enables a continuous Ethernet network from cloud-connected systems directly to the sensor level.
“Industrial networks once depended on a variety of intermediary devices to keep different parts of a system communicating,” Thomas explained. “Single Pair Ethernet changes that by extending native Ethernet connectivity all the way to the edge of the network.”
The result is a cleaner network architecture that supports the increasing demand for real-time operational visibility while reducing system complexity. And, of course, with a design that’s built to resist common abuses like flexing, abrasion, chemicals, and UV radiation, the Trex-Onics® Industrial Single Pair Ethernet Cable can easily outlast common commodity Ethernet cables.
Smaller Cable. Bigger Possibilities.
The transition from four twisted pairs to one isn't simply about using fewer conductors. It creates practical advantages that ripple throughout a facility.
With only two conductors instead of eight, SPE cables occupy less space in cable trays, which can lead to big gains for forward-thinking companies. The reduced cable size can also help lower installation costs, which also lowers the total cost across large-scale deployments.
“As machines continue to get smaller and more integrated, every inch matters,” Thomas said. “Single Pair Ethernet cables simplify network design while reducing cable size, weight, and overall system footprint.”
Plus, if plants and warehouses opt for a cable designed by the team at ATPC, they may also benefit from longer cable life, which means fewer replacements and less downtime. And as manufacturers continue adding more connected devices across production lines, those efficiencies become increasingly valuable.
Built for Industrial Reality
While simplified connectivity is important, reliability remains non-negotiable, as industrial cable doesn't operate in climate-controlled office spaces. It operates around chemicals, lubricants, abrasion, vibration, extreme movement, and demanding production schedules.
ATPC's new SPE portfolio was designed with those realities in mind.
The Trex-Onics® Industrial Single Pair Ethernet Cable provides long-distance communication up to 1,000 meters, making it well-suited for control systems and automation infrastructure throughout a facility. And with UV resistance built in, that’s also true whether it’s installed indoors or outdoors.
“This cable makes it easy to extend Ethernet connectivity up to 1,000 meters,” Thomas said. “It’s built for both indoor and outdoor use and resists the oils, chemicals, and mechanical wear that come with industrial environments.”
For applications where movement never stops, ATPC also developed a high-flex SPE cable for continuous-flex environments.
“For robotic arms, cat tracks, and moving machinery where constant motion is part of everyday operation,” Thomas said, “this cable is designed to maintain reliable signal integrity even under continuous flexing, helping ensure consistent communication all the way down to the sensor level.”
Together, the two cable options address different automation challenges while sharing the same goal: delivering reliable Ethernet communication where standard commercial networking products simply aren't designed to survive.
Following the Direction of THE Industry
ATPC prides itself on keeping a pulse on industry demands, which has led to many innovations that start with a single conversation. However, the development of Single Pair Ethernet wasn't driven by a single application or one customer's request. Instead, it reflects a much broader evolution taking place across industrial manufacturing.
As manufacturers invest in smart factories, industrial IoT, and increasingly connected operations, network infrastructure must evolve alongside them.
“It all comes back to the shift toward smart manufacturing,” Thomas said. “As companies require faster processing, more real-time insights, and better connectivity across their operations, technologies like Single Pair Ethernet are helping make those goals a reality.”
Those conversations with customers confirmed what ATPC was already observing throughout the market: more OEMs and device manufacturers are embracing Ethernet-based communication at the field level, and SPE is creating a pathway to connect sensors, actuators, cameras, readers, and other edge devices directly to Ethernet networks using a single cable for both data and power. And in many cases, the push toward SPE is being driven by the devices themselves, as next-generation industrial sensors and other intelligent field devices increasingly require greater bandwidth and seamless integration with enterprise networks. That shift also helps simplify network architectures by extending Ethernet connectivity directly to field devices, reducing the need for certain legacy fieldbus or serial communication networks like PROFIBUS, CAN, and RS-485.
“As we talked with customers and saw where the industry was headed, it became evident that Single Pair Ethernet is the way of the future. We wanted to provide a cable solution that not only supports the technological shift, but also handles the real-world conditions of the harsh industrial environment.”
More Than a Product Launch
For Amy Thomas, the launch of Trex-Onics® Industrial Single Pair Ethernet Cable and Trex-Onics® High Flex Single Pair Ethernet Cable represents more than another addition to the catalog. “This is easily the most advanced, technology-driven project that I've had the opportunity to work on. It’s exciting to be part of a solution that’s helping drive the future of industrial automation.”
That excitement comes not only from the technology itself, but from the collaboration behind it.
“What I enjoy most about my role is having the opportunity to learn about emerging technologies while working alongside such a knowledgeable team. There’s always something new to discover, and I love taking those ideas and finding ways to apply them in the real world. Turning innovation into practical solutions that help our customers succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do.”
And in addition to being critical for customer transformation, that innovation also did something magical for Thomas herself.
“It was exciting. After all the hard work, it was really rewarding to hold the finished products and see the project come to life.”
Looking Ahead
SPE represents an important step toward the future of industrial networking, but ATPC is only just getting started.
“This is just the beginning of what ATPC is capable of,” Thomas said. “Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the needs of our customers. That’s what makes projects like this so exciting. Single Pair Ethernet is an important step forward, and I’m looking forward to helping bring the next generation of solutions to market.”
As industrial automation continues pushing toward faster communication, smarter equipment, and more connected operations, the cables carrying that information become just as critical as the data itself. With its new Single Pair Ethernet portfolio, ATPC is helping manufacturers build networks that are simpler, more resilient, and ready for the next generation of automation.
