Why Choose a DIN Rail Mount for an Industrial 4G Router?
In the industrial world, the 35 mm DIN rail (EN 60715) is the universal standard for mounting control and monitoring equipment in electrical cabinets. Programmable logic controllers, input/output modules, relays, power supplies, circuit breakers—all mount onto this rail. It therefore made sense for the industrial 4G router to adopt the same format, so it could be seamlessly integrated into existing enclosures without tools, screws, or drilling into the metal.
The advantages of the DIN rail format for a 4G router:
- No modifications to the control cabinet: no cutting, no drilling, no external enclosure
- Proximity to the PLCs: short LAN cabling between the router and the PLCs within the same control cabinet
- Shared power supply: the router draws power directly from the cabinet’s 24V DC supply, using the same source as the PLCs
- Standard replacement: removal and replacement in less than a minute during maintenance
- Thermal consistency: passive heat dissipation integrated with the cabinet’s natural ventilation
Dimensions and Space Requirements Inside the Cabinet
The Eziwan 4G DIN-rail router has a minimal footprint, designed for the most space-constrained cabinets:
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Width (on DIN rail) | 102 mm (≈ 6 DIN units) |
| Height | 33 mm |
| Depth | 78 mm |
| Weight | 210 g (without cables) |
| Compatible rail | 35 mm symmetrical DIN rail (EN 60715) |
| Recommended wiring space | +30 mm on each side |
By comparison, a Siemens S7-1200 CPU PLC module measures 90 mm × 100 mm × 75 mm. The Eziwan 4G router fits into the same space.
24V DC Power Supply: Compatibility with Industrial PLCs
24V DC is the standard supply voltage for industrial automation. Siemens, Schneider, ABB, and Rockwell PLCs, sensors, solenoid valves, and actuators—all use this voltage. The Eziwan 4G DIN-rail router is powered by this same source:
- Input range: 9 to 36 V DC (compatible with 12 V and 24 V)
- Screw terminal block: 3 terminals (V+, V-, GND), wire gauge 0.5 to 2.5 mm²
- Nominal power consumption: 4 to 6 W (LTE module active, average traffic)
- Maximum power consumption: 8 W (startup peak)
- Protection: reverse polarity, overvoltage up to 45 V, short circuits
A 24V DC 1A (24W) power supply is sufficient to power the router and several additional communication modules. In the event of a power outage, the cabinet can be powered by a DC UPS or a backup battery.
Ethernet Ports and VLAN Management in the Cabinet
The Eziwan 4G DIN-rail router includes a managed Ethernet switch for connecting multiple devices within the same cabinet:
Compact version (2 ports): ideal for cabinets with a single PLC or an industrial switch downstream. Port 1 = PLC/HMI LAN, Port 2 = secondary WAN or DMZ.
Expanded version (4 ports): Direct connection of multiple devices without an additional switch. Each port can be configured as LAN, DMZ, or secondary WAN.
802.1Q VLAN support allows for the segmentation of OT traffic (controllers, sensors) and IT traffic (monitoring, remote access) within the same router, in accordance with the recommendations of the IEC 62443 standard for industrial cybersecurity.
4G Antennas in Metal Cabinets: Best Practices
Steel electrical cabinets act as a Faraday cage—they block cellular radio waves. To ensure a good 4G signal, there are two possible approaches:
Outdoor Wired Antenna (Recommended): An SMA outdoor antenna mounted on the exterior wall of the cabinet, connected to the router via an SMA coaxial cable that passes through the wall via an IP67-rated waterproof RF cable gland. Antenna gain: 3 to 9 dBi, depending on the model. Kits available from Eziwan.
Cabinet with a plastic window: Some cabinets have a plastic panel built in to allow for radio communications. If your cabinet has this feature, the router’s internal antenna may be sufficient.
In areas with poor coverage, a 9 dBi directional antenna pointed toward the nearest carrier tower can provide a significant improvement.
Use Case: Modernizing Existing Cabinets
The DIN-rail 4G router is particularly well-suited for the non-intrusive retrofitting of existing industrial control cabinets. Here are a few concrete examples:
Process Control Cabinets: Adding 4G connectivity to a Siemens S7 PLC cabinet without any restructuring—the router occupies 6U on the existing DIN rail, draws power from the cabinet’s 24V DC supply, and connects the PLC directly to the cloud network.
HV/LV Substations: Integration of 4G remote management into the electrical cabinets of substations without the use of a network subcontractor. Compliant with EMC requirements for high-voltage environments.
Pumping stations: Control cabinets in utility rooms (lift stations, booster stations, wastewater treatment plants) have 4G remote access for Modbus monitoring of flow, pressure, and level sensors.
Main Distribution Board (MDB) and Metering Cabinets: Remote meter reading for Modbus meters integrated directly into the main distribution board, without the need for additional network cabling.