When you're building an industrial networking fieldbus setup, the first decision isn't which brand to buy-it's which kind of device goes in the panel. Do you need a bridge between fieldbus equipment and industrial Ethernet, or do you need more rugged Ethernet ports to connect machines that already speak the same protocol? The Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway and the Industrial 6P Ethernet Switch sit at different ends of that question, and their prices reflect those very different roles.
Quick Verdict
Choose the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 if your control architecture needs fieldbus-to-Ethernet translation and a specialized gateway fits your maintenance plan. Choose the Industrial 6P Ethernet Switch if you want a switch with copper and fiber expansion for straightforward Ethernet networking.
Comparison
| Burkert 00307390 / ME43 | Industrial 6P Ethernet Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 249.99 | USD 29.99 |
| Condition | Used | New |
| Device type | Industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway | Ethernet switch |
| Port configuration | Fieldbus gateway | 4 Gigabit RJ-45 ports + 1 RJ-45 uplink + 1 SFP port |
Where Each Product Wins
The Burkert wins when you need a gateway function. It is purpose-built for translating fieldbus traffic onto industrial Ethernet, and the 00307390 / ME43 model identifies it as a specific industrial component. This is not a port-expansion device; it is the bridge that makes fieldbus and Ethernet talk.
The switch wins on port flexibility and ready-to-install simplicity. It gives you copper and fiber expansion options, and the included mount lets you drop it into a panel quickly.
Product Notes
Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway
The Burkert 00307390 / ME43 is priced at USD 249.99, making it the higher-priced component here. It is a fieldbus gateway, not a switch, so its value comes from protocol translation rather than port count. It is a used working pull and comes as pictured, so condition is an honest part of the decision. If your network depends on connecting fieldbus equipment to industrial Ethernet, this dedicated gateway is the reason to spend more. The limitation is that you are paying more for a used component, and its job is narrower than a switch's. Buy it when you need translation, not when you need more ports.
Industrial 6P Ethernet Switch with DIN-Rail and 1 SFP Port
The Industrial 6P Ethernet Switch costs USD 29.99, which puts it on the opposite end of the price range. It is new and built for DIN-rail or wall mounting with hardware included. The port layout gives you four Gigabit RJ-45 ports, one RJ-45 uplink, and one SFP port, with a 12 Gbps switching capacity and automatic MDI/MDI-X detection. That makes it a flexible building block for a control panel or factory network. The limitation is that it is not a fieldbus gateway, so it cannot translate between fieldbus and industrial Ethernet protocols. If your devices already speak Ethernet, this switch gives you an inexpensive way to connect them.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the Burkert ME43 when your machine speaks fieldbus and needs a gateway onto industrial Ethernet. Choose the Industrial 6P switch when you need more rugged Ethernet ports and want to keep spending down. The two devices serve different jobs, so the right pick depends on whether your problem is protocol conversion or port expansion.
