In many industrial applications, USB is still used as a reliable interface – whether for connecting peripheral devices such as scanners, touch panels or machine controls. However, classic USB hubs made of plastic or for office use are unsuitable for industrial environments. What is needed here is robust, interference-resistant hardware that can be flexibly installed and supplied with power. Delock fills precisely this gap with its industrial hubs 60686 (4 ports) and 60687 (7 ports).

We took a look at both models and show where their strengths lie – and how they prove themselves in practice.

Robust design with a focus on industrial requirements

Both hubs are built into a robust metal housing that is not only mechanically stable but also easy to install. The scope of delivery includes brackets for DIN rail mounting (e.g. in the control cabinet) as well as for wall mounting. This means that the devices can be easily integrated into industrial environments without the need for DIY solutions.

The USB-A ports are equipped with screw holes (M3) so that the plugs can be firmly fixed in place – a major advantage in the event of vibrations, e.g. in production facilities or on mobile platforms. The connection to the host is made via a USB-B socket, a suitable cable is included.

Flexible power supply: 5 V or 9-36 V DC

A decisive difference to conventional USB hubs is the power supply. In addition to the usual 5 V socket (for power supply units), both models offer a 3-pin screw terminal connection that accepts voltages between 9 V and 36 V DC. This allows the hubs to be connected directly to industrial 24 V circuits – without any additional voltage converters.

This flexibility is worth its weight in gold, especially in mechanical engineering, building automation or testing environments.

Application example: USB integration in the control cabinet

A concrete practical example shows how useful the hubs can be:

A small industrial PC is used for machine control in a production plant. This is to control various USB devices:

• A barcode scanner for parts identification,
• a touch display for operation,
• a USB-to-RS232 adapter for connecting an older PLC,
• and a USB stick for data backup.

Only a 24 V power supply is available in the control cabinet – no problem thanks to the terminal connection. The 60686 (4-port) is mounted directly on the top-hat rail and supplied with 24 V. The USB cables are neatly routed and secured with M3 screws. The result: reliable USB distribution without tangled cables or loose connections.

If additional devices are added in the future, the 60687 with 7 ports offers a practical extension – without any changes to the power supply or the mounting concept.

Key technical data at a glance

60686 – Delock Industrial Hub

• USB ports: 4× USB 2.0 Type-A
• Host connection: 1× USB type-B
• Chipset: Genesys Logic GL850G
• Data rate: Up to 480 Mbps
• Power supply: 5 V / 9-36 V DC
• Operating temperature: 0 °C to +60 °C
• ESD protection: Up to 15 kV
• Mounting options: DIN rail / wall

60687 – Delock industrial hub

• USB ports: 7× USB 2.0 Type-A
• Host connection: 1× USB type-B
• Chipset: Genesys Logic GL850G
• Data rate: Up to 480 Mbps
• Power supply: 5 V / 9-36 V DC
• Operating temperature: 0 °C to +60 °C
• ESD protection: Up to 15 kV
• Mounting options: DIN rail / wall

Our conclusion: Small, sturdy and well thought out

The Delock models 60686 and 60687 are ideal for anyone who needs to work with USB in industrial or semi-industrial environments. They score points with their robust hardware, sophisticated mounting options and flexible power supply. The fact that they rely on plug-and-play and require no drivers makes integration particularly easy – whether under Windows, Linux or in embedded systems.

The 60686 with 4 ports is completely sufficient for simple applications. If you want to connect more devices or are planning future expansions, the 60687 with 7 ports is the right choice. Both models are attractively priced and offer genuine industrial quality.