PROFIBUS PA to Fibre Optics (PROFIBUS PA OLM)

-
We’ve been receiving numerous requests for converting PROFIBUS PA to fibre optics lately.  I believe that really what the request is that there is an existing PROFIBUS DP master with DP (and possible existing PA) infrastructure and the requirement is to add some PA devices that are out in the field. PROCENTEC have a range of COMbricks modules that are able to meet almost ant type of network configuration. In this article we'll investigate some of the configuration options and which components should be used in each configuration. Your network layout might look something like the picture below: 



Being able to run fibre to these field areas has the following advantages:

  • Fibre can be run over longer distances, PROCENTEC offer up to 30km on single-mode fibre. Typically, 2km on multi-mode. 
  • Fibre can run through areas that are susceptible to EMC interference without being affected
  • The inherent electrical isolation means that the complicated story of earthing on PA systems is simplified to just the field area. In other words, the complication of Earth loop current over long distance is avoided.

Before going ahead with the design, one needs to answer some questions:

  • Will multi-mode or single-mode fibre be used? Or is there a mixture? 
  • What connector types will be used on the fibre? 
  • Is a fibre redundant ring required? 

These are the options using the COMbricks solution:

1) Multi-mode off one COMbricks fibre module in the substation (1 is spare):

COMbricks components used in above implementation:
  • x3 Head Station Type 1B (101-20011B)
  • x3 PROFIBUS Fiber Optic Module (101-201510)
  • x2 PROFIBUS PA link/coupler Module (101-201610)
  • x2 SCOPE Repeater (101-201210) for connection the DP devices in the substation 

2) Multi-mode off one COMbricks fibre module in the substation (1 is spare), redundant ring:

COMbricks components used in above implementation:
  • x3 Head Station Type 1B (101-20011B)
  • x3 PROFIBUS Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Ring Module (101-201530)
  • x2 PROFIBUS PA link/coupler Module (101-201610)
  • x2 SCOPE Repeater (101-201210) for connection the DP devices in the substation 

3) Multi-mode off one COMbricks fibre module in the substation, redundant ring for each field area:
COMbricks components used in above implementation:
  •      x3 Head Station Type 1B (101-20011B)
  •      x4 PROFIBUS Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Ring Module (101-201530)
  •      x2 PROFIBUS PA link/coupler Module (101-201610)
  •      x2 SCOPE Repeater (101-201210) for connection the DP devices in the substation


3) All of the above implementations could be implemented using single mode fibre. Simply replace the multimode fibre module with the Single-Mode Fiber Optic Ring (101-201531). 

4) It is possible to mix multi-mode and single-mode using the PROFIBUS Multi-Mode and Single-Mode Fiber Optic Ring module (101-201532):
COMbricks components used in above implementation:
  • x3 Head Station Type 1B (101-20011B)
  • x1 Multi-Mode and Single-Mode Fiber Optic Ring module (101-201532) in substation 
  • x1 PROFIBUS Multi-Mode Fiber Optic Ring Module (101-201530) for area 3
  • x1 Single-Mode Fiber Optic Ring (101-201531) for area 2
  • x2 PROFIBUS PA link/coupler Module (101-201610)
  • x2 SCOPE Repeater (101-201210) for connection the DP devices in the substation 


COMbricks is a modular network component solution with flexibility to meet almost any type of network architecture. All COMbricks head stations can be connected to the local LAN and be used to remotely access and view the health of the segments the COMbricks modules are attached to. They can even be configured to issue email alerts if a PROFIBUS error has been detected on the segment so that it can be addressed before it causes a failure. This is part of your pre-emptive maintenance strategy. 

Michael Garnham 
PROFIBUS/PROFINET Competence and Training Centre Manager - Industrial Data Xchange cc

Popular posts from this blog

Common pitfalls when installing a Modbus RS485 network on site

-
Image
Last week IDX were called to site at  a large commercial residence building in Pretoria, South Africa. Where our  client was implementing an IoT solution for remote monitoring and control of various HVAC and power systems in the building.  The control system the SI chose in this case was a Modbus enabled Industrial Micro PC called the Revolution PI. The client had Modbus sensors connected to boilers, air conditioning systems, ventilation systems and power meters. The Modbus  communications between the controller and the sensors were intermittently failing due to various installation and implementation faults: 1. Earthing and Shielding Within any fieldbus communication installation, one of the requirements to ensure uninterrupted operation is to implement adequate grounding and shielding techniques. Effective grounding and Shielding help to prevent electrostatic and electromagnetic pickup, which can lead to failed communications. Some of the shielding and grounding req
Read more

IEC61850 to Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, M-bus, PROFINET or PROFIBUS

-
Image
The SG-gateway family is a current leading Smart Grid application solution, acting as a remote terminal unit for the energy market. The SG-gateway enables the remote control and management of electrical equipment in power grids, controlling and monitoring assets, processes and installations in the field. Networking and interfacing between various fieldbuses and Industrial Ethernet protocols is where this gateway shines, allowing cross interfacing between: IEC61850 (Client/Server) IEC60870-5-104 (Client/Server) Modbus TCP (Client/Server) Modbus RTU (Master/Slave) Various Serial RS232, RS485 and RS232 PROFIBUS PROFINET EtherNet/IP Here are some application examples: Transmission can also be made available via Ethernet or 3G VPN connection into your server. The SG-Gateways sports an easy web based configuration tool using a standard browser, configuring with a simple drag and drop method. Choose the right SG-gateway to suit your requ
Read more

IDX 8 Tag Manager - Managing the unmanagable?

-
Image
Tag management of real-time data systems can prove challenging. As an industrial IT company we frequently come across the problem where tags need to be migrated from one system to another or where tags need to be synchronised and maintained between systems including historians. Generally, this ends up being a manual process, often involving Excel and much diligence and patience of the maintainer’s behalf. IDX Unifig was the first incarnation of a tool we designed with the aim to simplify the migration and management of tags between systems. The tool worked, but with as with most first editions of software tools, we could see the need for improvement and refinement of the approach used. Thus Tag Manager was born, and has become the key stone in the IDX 8 software suite. All other IDX 8 modules, such as Data Exchange, Alarms and Events and the Historian use Tag Manager to store and reference tags. The comparison result we like to see - no changes.   Tag Manager employs a plug
Read more