There are many manufacturers of PLCs that are used in the automation industry. ABB PLC is one of the leading PLC manufacturers in the world. They offer a full line of industrial PLC controllers and safety PLC controllers like ABB AC500-S with a wide range of I/O cards, interfaces, and modules.
Let us know about this system in detail through this article below.
What is It?
The ABB AC500-S is a safety programmable logic controller (PLC) that is used in various applications. This includes factory automation, machinery, and process automation.
It can protect people and machines seamlessly. The standard AC500-S ranges from 128 kilobytes of memory for small applications to models with 160 megabytes of memory for larger applications.
Each model of ABB can accept several different terminal units that can provide interfaces for communication and various modules.
The modules include AC and DC digital input and output modules and voltage and current analog input and output modules. Special terminal units are used when hot swapping of modules is required.
Features of It
The features include the following:
- Separate safety CPU provides the choice of non-safety CPU performance
- Direct connection to PNO certified components saves I/O modules and reduces wiring efforts
- More number of test pulses ensures high degree of fault diagnostics and reaction
- Safety CPU can be configured to work even if the non-safety CPU is in STOP or maintenance mode or during online change
- Address switch on the safety CPU allows implementing flexible design concept in machines
- Failure of a PN slave will not stop the safety CPU
- Standard SD card can be used to clone both safety and non-safety programs and configuration for later replication on other machines
- Max cable length for connected process signals can go up to 1000m or 600m
- Easy handling of modules
- Front panel rotary switch for PROFIsafe address ensures less maintenance effort
- Ease of wiring
- 100% fool-proof system
- Extreme condition modules are available
- Wide variety of non-safety communication possibilities like Ethernet
- Built in module power supply
- Channel diagnostics for each individual safety channel.
Applications of It
The first fail-safe condition monitoring is integrated with a safety PLC. It now complements the non-critical condition monitoring, extending the range of applications that can be embraced by functional safety standards.
ABB launched the first safety PLC with integrated condition monitoring. This is to improve overall functional safety of various applications to global safety standards. It also reduces manual inspection and maintenance.
- Monitors the Brake Status
Fail safe condition monitoring complements standard condition monitoring. This enables more applications to feature functional safety on-board.
This opens up the ability to monitor the brake status of automated guided vehicles. The safe monitoring of excessive vibrations is experienced by centrifuges or wind turbines.
For instance, precise measurement of vibrant signals with a wide range of frequencies up to 20 kHz can be supervised safely. As a result it avoids spontaneous critical failures like wind turbine or centrifuge collapse.
Also, vibration based monitoring of brakes, for example on mobile machines, enables longer intervals between inspections. Fail safe supervision provides more accurate data on the status of safety-critical machine parts.
ABB AC500-eCo is a range of scalable compact PLCs offering cost effectiveness for modern industrial automation applications. Here small and flexible PLC solutions represent the ideal solution.
- Prevent Breakdown
The system provides an early warning that prevents machine breakdown and the costly consequences of stopping production.
For example, you can implement safely-limited speed mode activation to reduce downtimes. This is based on feedback from the failsafe condition monitoring instead of safe emergency stop. It is done when it is permitted in the application.
The solution uses ABB AC500-S safety PLC, the modular architecture. This enables the combination of the PLC’s fail safe and condition monitoring units.
Safety functions up to SIL CL 2 (IEC 62061), SIL2 (IEC 61511) and PL d (ISO 13849-1) can be implemented with fail safe condition monitoring.
The expected analog safety signal’s profile can be saved within the safety PLC’s 120 kB flash memory. The measured signals connected to the AC500 condition monitoring module channels can be compared with the pre-defined signal profile saved on the safety PLC.
- Easy Integration With Machinery Systems
Using a safety CPU and IO device ensures that the safety evaluation result can be exchanged from one fail-safe condition monitoring system to multiple safety controllers.
This enables the performance of the full machine emergency stop or plant wide emergency stop function when required.
Condition monitoring using ABB AC500-S provides easy integration with all kind of machinery systems. This enables precise management of an application’s real time condition.
This provides more efficient machines, predictable performance and remarkable reduction in maintenance costs. The AC500 is suited to build optimized and self-analyzing automation solutions. This performs condition monitoring and control with protection and safety.
Planned maintenance than spontaneous repair ensures predictable performance. Approaching damage is identified very early. Cost in maintenance and lost production time are reduced.
Optimal utilization of the aggregates until the real end of life is provided. It is simple to use and maintain with easy adaptability and expansion.
Other AC500 PLC models like ABB AC500-eCo provide specialized functionality. This is a small and compact PLC with a small number of I/O integrated into the processor module.
Final Words
The ABB AC500-S is a very user-friendly controller system that is used in various projects. Their easy usage and maintenance make them appropriate for diverse applications.
They offer solutions for both new and experienced users with scalability and easy to manage features.
