IEC 61784-5-20:2018

Overview

IEC 61784-5-20:2018 defines the installation profiles for CPF 20 (ADS‑net) used in industrial communication networks. It documents how the communication profiles (CP) in CPF 20 should be installed by stating which requirements of IEC 61918:2018 fully apply and where they are supplemented, modified, or replaced. The standard is delivered with normative annexes (e.g., CP 20/1 and CP 20/2) that provide specific installation requirements and tables covering network characteristics, cabling, connectors and verification procedures.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard focuses on practical installation‑level requirements for fieldbuses and includes:

• Installation planning

  • Network capabilities and topology considerations for CPF 20 (ADS‑net)
  • Selection of cabling types (balanced copper/Ethernet and optical fibre)
  • Planning documentation and verification of cabling specifications

• Cabling and component selection

  • Parameters and tables for balanced cabling (Ethernet-based CPs) and optical fibre
  • Guidance on cable types (fixed cables vs cords), connector types and optical connecting hardware
  • Requirements for terminators, connectors and mechanical installation practices

• Implementation and site work

  • Cable routing, connector installation, device mounting and coding/labeling
  • Earthing, bonding and shield handling principles for reliable EMC and signal integrity

• Verification, acceptance testing and administration

  • As‑implemented documentation, installation verification steps and acceptance tests
  • Installation administration, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance

• Conformance and normative references

  • How to demonstrate conformance to the installation profiles
  • Normative Annex A/B that are read in conjunction with IEC 61918 for CPF 20 CPs (e.g., ADS‑net/μΣNETWORK‑1000 and ADS‑net/NX)

Applications and intended users

IEC 61784-5-20 is intended for parties involved in designing, installing and maintaining industrial fieldbus networks using CPF 20 (ADS‑net). Typical users include:

• Industrial network and automation engineers
• System integrators and installation contractors
• Plant owners and asset managers specifying network installations
• Test and commissioning teams performing acceptance tests
• Certification and compliance assessors

Use cases include factory automation, process control installations and any industrial environment where ADS‑net profiles governed by CPF 20 are deployed.

Related standards

• IEC 61918:2018 (installation of communication networks in industrial control systems) - IEC 61784-5-20 is intended to be used in conjunction with this standard.
• Other parts of the IEC 61784‑5 series (installation of fieldbuses) for additional CPF families and CP installation profiles.

Keywords: IEC 61784-5-20, CPF 20, ADS‑net, installation profiles, IEC 61918, industrial communication networks, fieldbus installation, cabling, verification, Ethernet, optical fibre.