In the world of building automation, connectivity is everything. As systems become more integrated and data-driven, the need for a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective communication infrastructure is growing. That’s where 10BASE-T1L comes in — an innovative Ethernet standard designed for the unique needs of modern commercial environments.
Smart Controls and ASI Controls together are developing new solutions built around integrating 10BASE-T1L, and we are excited to share how this new technology will be the key to unlocking your building’s optimized potential for building owners and facility managers alike.
What is 10BASE-T1L?
10BASE-T1L (also known as “T1L”) is an Ethernet standard (IEEE 802.3cg-2019) that uses only a single pair of twisted wires to deliver 10 Mbps communication speed at distances of up to 1,000 meters — far beyond the reach of traditional Ethernet cabling. It is part of a broader industry evolution toward Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), which aims to bring robust and reliable IP-based communication cost-effectively to edge devices, such as sensors and actuators.
What makes 10BASE-T1L particularly primed for building automation:
- It runs over just two wires.
- It expands network reach further than ever, simplifying your building infrastructure with fewer necessary field devices to install.
- It’s fully compatible with existing Ethernet/IP protocols like BACnet/IP, Modbus/TCP, BACnet/SC, and more.
In short: 10BASE-T1L can bring the simplicity and standardization of Ethernet to the parts of your building that used to rely on legacy wiring and fieldbus protocols.
4 Key Benefits of 10BASE-T1L for Building Automation
| Benefit | Business Value |
| Reuse Existing Wiring |
Many commercial buildings already have twisted-pair wiring in place for legacy systems, such as RS-485, Free Topology, or fieldbus. With 10BASE-T1L, that wiring can often be reused — significantly reducing retrofit costs and minimizing disruption during upgrades. |
| Simplify Network Architecture |
By extending Ethernet all the way to field devices, you can eliminate the need for protocol converters, dedicated fieldbus controllers, and data silos. The result is a cleaner, more unified network that’s easier to scale and maintain. |
| Extend Reach to 1,000 Meters |
Unlike traditional Ethernet wiring (limited to 100 meters), 10BASE-T1L can reach up to 1,000 meters at 10 Mbps — ideal for large facilities, long corridors, mechanical rooms, and remote field equipment. |
| Future Proof Your Building |
With Ethernet support, your system can easily scale upward: aggregate traffic into higher-speed switches or connect to cloud platforms without translation layers. Plus, when paired with a fail-safe bypass switch, communication is maintained during a power outage or device failure. |
What This Means for You
10BASE-T1L is an innovative game-changer that aligns with our mission at Smart Controls and ASI Controls to deliver high-performance, cost-effective solutions for modern commercial buildings.
With 10BASE-T1L integration into our upcoming product lines, we can better provide our customers with:
- Lower installation and retrofit costs
- Simpler integration with IT infrastructure
- More flexible system design
- Better access to edge device data
- Longer cable runs with fewer constraints
We are driven to develop solutions that will help building owners and operators take full advantage of 10BASE-T1L — whether you are modernizing an existing facility or designing a high-performance smart building from the ground up.
Let’s Build the Future Together
If you’re exploring upgrades to your building automation system, or want to learn more about how 10BASE-T1L can fit into your long-term operations strategy, we would love to connect.
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