Deciding between an Ethernet switch and a fieldbus gateway is one of the more common forks in the industrial networking fieldbus. The two options here sit on opposite sides of that fork. The Phoenix Contact 1085255 FL SWITCH is an industrial Ethernet switch listed at $156.56, while the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 is an industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway listed at $249.99. The decision is not just about the $93.43 price gap; it is about whether your automation network needs simple Ethernet switching or the protocol conversion that a gateway provides.
Quick Verdict
If your priority is a simpler device for straightforward Ethernet switching, the Phoenix Contact 1085255 FL SWITCH is the pick. If your network needs a bridge between fieldbus and Ethernet, the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 gateway is the specialized option.
Comparison Table
| Consideration | Phoenix Contact 1085255 FL SWITCH | Burkert 00307390 / ME43 |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $156.56 | $249.99 |
| Condition | New In Box | Used |
| Primary role | Industrial Ethernet switch | Industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway |
| Best fit | Connecting Ethernet devices in an automation network | Translating between fieldbus and Ethernet |
Where Each Product Wins
- Phoenix Contact 1085255: This is the switch you want when your automation network already uses Ethernet end to end. It passes traffic between PLCs, HMIs, and other connected components without adding extra network complexity. Its limitation is that it cannot join a fieldbus side to an Ethernet side on its own.
- Burkert 00307390 / ME43: This is the gateway you need when the network has a fieldbus side and an Ethernet side. It handles the connection between those two network types, which is exactly the job a switch cannot do. Its limitation is that this extra capability does not help a network that is already uniformly Ethernet.
Product Notes
Phoenix Contact 1085255 FL SWITCH
The Phoenix Contact 1085255 is a new in box industrial Ethernet switch. It is intended for control networks where stable Ethernet-based data transmission matters, and it connects PLCs, HMIs, and other automation components through standard network switching. For a straightforward machine network, this is the simpler device: it focuses on moving Ethernet traffic rather than bridging different network types. The new condition means you are not inheriting prior service life, which matters if you want equipment with a clean starting point. The trade-off is that a switch, by nature, does not bridge fieldbus and Ethernet; if your devices use a different bus protocol, you will need separate gateway hardware.
Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway
The Burkert 00307390 / ME43 fills a different role. It is an industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway, so it is built to link a fieldbus network to an Ethernet network and manage the handoff between them. That makes it the right choice when your automation setup mixes fieldbus devices with Ethernet-based controls. The condition is the main thing to weigh: this unit is used and listed as a working pull, so it has prior operational history. You are accepting that history to get the specialized gateway function. If your network is already uniformly Ethernet, you can likely skip the gateway layer and use the simpler switch instead.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the Phoenix Contact 1085255 FL SWITCH when your automation network is Ethernet-based and the switch role is what you need. Choose the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 when you need a fieldbus gateway to connect fieldbus and Ethernet.
