When you're building or upgrading an industrial networking fieldbus environment, the first fork in the road is often a choice between a protocol gateway and a managed network switch. Both connect production equipment to an Ethernet backbone, but they do very different jobs. The Burkert 00307390 / ME43 is a fieldbus gateway that translates between industrial fieldbus protocols and Ethernet, while the Cisco IE-3000-8TC is a rugged managed switch that moves data between many Ethernet devices. With the two priced within a cent of each other, the decision comes down to what your network actually needs to do, not your budget.
Quick Verdict
Choose the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 if you need to link fieldbus-based devices to an Industrial Ethernet network. It's a purpose-built gateway for protocol conversion, not a switch. Choose the Cisco IE-3000-8TC if you already have Ethernet-capable devices and need a managed, rugged switch to connect them in a harsh or hazardous location. The Cisco also gives you 16 Ethernet (RJ-45) ports, dual DC power inputs, and an alarm relay.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Burkert 00307390 / ME43 | Cisco IE-3000-8TC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 249.99 | USD 250.00 |
| Price bar | ||
| Device type | Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway | Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Model / MPN | 00307390 / ME43 | IE-3000-8TC |
| Network ports | Not specified | 16 Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Power inputs | Not specified | Dual DC (Pwr A / Pwr B) |
| Operating temp | Not specified | -40°C to +60°C |
Where Each Product Wins
Burkert 00307390 / ME43 wins when you need protocol translation between a fieldbus system and Industrial Ethernet. That's its core job, and it's ready as a working pull for integration into an existing setup.
Cisco IE-3000-8TC wins for network expansion. With 16 Ethernet ports, managed switching features, dual DC power inputs, an alarm relay, and a console port, it's built to be the backbone of a rugged industrial network.
Product Notes
Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway Used
If your production line speaks a fieldbus protocol and your controls speak Ethernet, this gateway is the bridge you're looking for. It's a used working pull from a previous installation, sold as pictured, so you can put it straight into a test bench or replacement project. The model and MPN are both 00307390 / ME43, which makes it easy to cross-reference against your existing Burkert documentation. A word of caution: because it's a gateway, it doesn't provide additional Ethernet ports. If your bottleneck is wire count rather than protocol compatibility, this won't solve that problem. You're also buying a used unit, so expect normal signs of prior service rather than factory-new packaging. For the $249.99 asking price, it's a focused tool for a specific protocol-conversion job, not a general-purpose network device.
Cisco IE-3000-8TC Industrial Ethernet Switch Managed Network Equipment
This is a different kind of industrial networking workhorse. The IE-3000-8TC is a managed switch with 16 Ethernet (RJ-45) ports, so it's designed to expand your network and handle traffic between multiple devices in tough environments. It's rated for hazardous-location applications, with dual DC power inputs for redundancy, an alarm relay for fault notification, and a console port for configuration. It also has a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +60°C. It's a Grade B unit, meaning it may show slight scratches from handling, and it has been tested for key functions. Keep in mind that it does not come with accessories, so you'll need to supply your own mounting hardware or cabling. At $250.00, this switch gives you a lot of port density for the price, but it won't translate fieldbus protocols like the Burkert can.
Final Choice by Use Case
If your main task is connecting fieldbus devices to an Industrial Ethernet network, buy the Burkert 00307390 / ME43. If you need to connect many Ethernet devices in a harsh environment and want managed-switch features like redundancy and remote configuration, buy the Cisco IE-3000-8TC. When the prices are only separated by a penny, the smartest buy is the device that matches the job you actually have.
