EMG NET16 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

EMG NET16 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The EMG NET16 series represents a core communication and I/O module platform deployed across heavy industrial environments including chemical processing plants, nuclear power facilities, and petroleum refineries. Manufactured by EMG Automation GmbH (Germany), the NET16 architecture was designed to serve as a distributed network interface layer within process control systems, enabling deterministic data exchange between field devices and supervisory control layers. Its modular backplane design and robust EMC shielding made it a preferred choice for safety-critical installations requiring long operational lifecycles and high mean time between failures (MTBF).

The NET16 platform is widely integrated into legacy DCS and SCADA architectures across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Its continued presence in operational plants — many with 20+ year design lifetimes — creates sustained demand for spare parts, replacement boards, and lifecycle extension services.

The Evolution of NET16 Architecture

The NET16 series was introduced as part of EMG's second-generation distributed I/O strategy, succeeding earlier single-board relay interface modules. The platform standardized on a 16-channel network node architecture, allowing scalable expansion through daisy-chained backplane segments. Early revisions (NET16-1.0, NET16-1.1) used parallel bus communication with proprietary EMG protocol framing. Version 1.2 — the most widely deployed revision — introduced improved noise immunity, revised firmware addressing, and compatibility with EMG's NET-BUS fieldbus standard.

Later variants added support for PROFIBUS-DP and Modbus RTU bridging, extending the platform's integration range into third-party PLC environments. As the broader DCS market migrated toward Ethernet-based architectures (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP), the NET16 series entered a maintenance phase. EMG officially transitioned new projects to the successor NET32 and NETPRO platforms, but NET16 hardware remains in active service at thousands of installed sites. Firmware updates ceased after version 3.7; hardware support from the OEM is limited to existing stock.

NET16 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Communication & Network Interface Modules

• EMG NET16-1.0: Original 16-channel parallel bus network node, first-generation firmware
• EMG NET16-1.1: Revised addressing scheme, improved backplane termination
• EMG NET16-1.2: Standard production revision; enhanced EMC, NET-BUS compatible circuit board
• EMG NET16-1.3: Extended temperature range variant for outdoor cabinet installations
• EMG NET16-PB: PROFIBUS-DP gateway variant, DP slave interface integrated
• EMG NET16-MB: Modbus RTU bridge module, RS-485 port, configurable baud rate

Digital Input (DI) Modules

• EMG NET16-DI-24V: 16-channel 24 VDC digital input, sink/source configurable
• EMG NET16-DI-48V: 16-channel 48 VDC digital input for high-voltage field circuits
• EMG NET16-DI-AC: 16-channel 120/230 VAC digital input module

Digital Output (DO) Modules

• EMG NET16-DO-24V: 16-channel 24 VDC transistor output, 0.5 A per channel
• EMG NET16-DO-R: 16-channel relay output module, 2 A / 250 VAC rated contacts
• EMG NET16-DO-SSR: Solid-state relay output variant, zero-crossing switching

Analog I/O Modules

• EMG NET16-AI-420: 8-channel 4–20 mA analog input, 12-bit resolution
• EMG NET16-AO-420: 4-channel 4–20 mA analog output, loop-powered
• EMG NET16-AI-TC: 8-channel thermocouple input, K/J/T/E type selectable

Power Supply Modules

• EMG NET16-PS-24: Dedicated 24 VDC backplane power supply, 5 A rated
• EMG NET16-PS-R: Redundant power supply module with automatic switchover

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete NET16 Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for EMG NET16 series components. As OEM production of NET16 hardware has ceased, the primary sourcing channels are tested surplus stock, decommissioned plant equipment, and authorized refurbishment. DriveKNMS sources NET16 modules through a verified global supplier network and subjects all units to functional testing before dispatch.

For end-users operating plants with NET16 infrastructure, DriveKNMS provides: direct replacement of failed circuit boards (including the NET16-1.2 revision), cross-reference support for identifying equivalent modules across revisions, and advisory services for migration planning toward EMG NET32 or third-party successor platforms. Long-term maintenance contracts are available for facilities requiring guaranteed stock reservation over multi-year horizons.

Quality Control for the NET16 Range

NET16 modules present specific testing challenges due to their integrated backplane bus transceivers and proprietary NET-BUS communication protocol. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all NET16 units:

• Visual inspection: PCB trace integrity, capacitor condition, connector pin alignment
• Power-on test: Supply rail verification (3.3 V, 5 V, 24 V) under load
• Bus communication test: NET-BUS frame transmission and acknowledgment verification using EMG-compatible test master
• Channel-level functional test: Each I/O channel exercised at rated signal levels
• Burn-in: 48-hour continuous operation at 40°C ambient prior to shipment
• Firmware version verification: Confirmed against known-good NET16 firmware image library

All tested units are issued a DriveKNMS inspection certificate with test date, technician ID, and pass/fail log.