WCA July 2013

Intelligent communication interfaces

Profibus DP and Profinet IO industrial fieldbus standards have been used successfully for communication between devices of different manufacturers in automated production lines. With a new update to its Profibus DP interface, Zumbach is raising the usability of its devices to a new level. In addition, Profinet IO Industrial Ethernet is now available for the entire Zumbach family of devices. In industrial production, numerous automation, engineering and visualisation systems are connected to a bus. The Profibus interface enables centralised control of all devices involved in the production process as well as many standard diagnostic functions – and all this via a secure and fast connection (up to 12 Mbps). The cyclic collection and preparation and reliable evaluation of the measuring data via the interface has a significant effect on the quality of the monitoring. Zumbach’s communication via Profibus DP not only significantly improves the workflow between individual production units, but also requires little hardware (one engineering tool for all devices), reducing investment and service costs. Thanks to the bus topology, sensors can be coupled and uncoupled during operation.

❍ ❍ A selection of gauges with Profibus/Profinet interface

Practically every Zumbach device is available for use in Profibus DP structures – directly or via a Profibus interface. Through the use of an intelligent protocol, the complete functionality of each sensor is fully supported from the initialisation step all the way to the actual data exchange. Specifically, the Profibus firmware has been adapted and the GSD file has been significantly improved. Now it provides for an easier, faster and more cost-effective installation: • Easy drag-and-drop installation: install device-specific language version of the GSD file (DE, FR, EN), then drag the Zumbach device to the user interface of the customer. • Actual value acquisition: operational readiness with two inputs thanks to device-specific parameters, very easy to add measured quantities/modules Profinet IO – the successor to Profibus DP – is designed for data exchange between Ethernet-based field devices. The open industrial Ethernet standard meets the increasing demands of automation reliably and sustainably with optimum flexibility, efficiency and performance. Zumbach has developed a new GSDML file for Profinet which makes the implementation of Profibus and Profinet easy and practically identical. Zumbach Electronic AG – Switzerland Website : www.zumbach.com Ultrol ® cleared for nuclear General Cable’s low-voltage line of Ultrol 60+ nuclear qualified cable has completed third-party environmental qualification testing. Ultrol 60+ cables are intended to support both the existing nuclear fleet and Gen III reactors, following a five-year testing and certification programme to develop a second generation 60-year-life product line. General Cable – USA Website : www.generalcable.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – July/August 2013

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