PLCs, DCSs & Controllers


Schneider Electric announces a new era of control

June 2019 PLCs, DCSs & Controllers

Schneider Electric’s new high-end Modicon M580 Ethernet programmable automation controller (ePAC) features redundant processors, native Ethernet, and cybersecurity embedded into its core. It combines native Ethernet capabilities, high performance, high availability for processors and networks, improved industrial cybersecurity, greater flexibility in design and improved agility for operations. Fitted with sensors and Internet connectivity, these devices can communicate and interact with each other over the Web, and can be remotely controlled and monitored.

The IIoT refers to the billions of industrial devices connected to wireless networks gathering and sharing data. The introduction of inexpensive sensors and high-bandwidth wireless networks means that even the tiniest devices can now be connected and provided the intelligence that enables them to be monitored and tracked, sharing data and communicating with other devices. This mountain of data can then be analysed and acted on in real-time to make better informed process decisions. As advances in technology make it more cost-effective to deploy the IIoT, industries will need to acquire a strategic approach to integrating new sensor data with pre-existing data environments. The competitive advantage this data can bring means industrial organisations are looking for ways to integrate controls, automation and data analytics visualisation software, to gain competitive operational benefits.

EcoStruxure for converged solutions

With this in mind, Schneider Electric has spent decades developing solutions to help manufacturing organisations reap the benefits from their systems and harness the power of the Internet. Firstly, the company’s EcoStruxure empowers customers to implement scalable and converged IT/OT solutions to deliver innovation at every level. This interoperable technology platform unites energy, automation and software, ensuring that end-users enjoy enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability and connectivity.

“The company’s commitment to innovation around digitisation over the last twenty years, has also inspired the development of IIoT solutions for edge control such as the Modicon M580, its flagship controller with Ethernet at its core,” comments Marc Ramsay, VP Industry Business at Schneider Electric.

A platform that optimises open networks, the M580 ePAC provides industrial plant operators with the power to design, implement and run a process that actively employs the benefits of open networking, helping customers to access consistent and accurate data for timely decisions, and reduce downtime with detailed insight into alarms and events. In addition, it enables customers to diagnose and identify the root causes of problems, as well as make informed decisions about plant operations and energy management.

Secure and versatile

With the Achilles Level 2 certification, this controller was built with security, performance, and sustainable evolution in mind. It is the most advanced PAC ever designed by Schneider Electric in terms of industrial cybersecurity and is tested according to Ethernet services and protocols, such as ARP, ICMP, TCP, IP and others. Firmware integrity is checked at every start-up and is compiled and stored in memory, preventing its recompilation by an outsider.

Mark Williams, director of the Plant Solutions Competency Centre at Schneider Electric says: “The M580 ePAC is leading the next generation of PACs that leverage open and fast Ethernet communications. Powerful performance is a core feature of the ePAC. It delivers high levels of computing power through a multicore processor, allowing high speed connectivity to network devices while enhancing resistance to cybersecurity threats. In addition, upgrading to the M580 ePAC requires no additional investment in wiring, software development or training.”

The M580 is also compatible with the xBus communications of the Modicon M340 and Premium PLC. Users can easily switch between the different controller sizes in the Modicon range without changing their I/O racks and cabling. It has been built for PlantStruxure, a collaborative and integrated automation architecture that brings together the telemetry, PLC/scada, and DCS offerings, with complete lifecycle services to help make operations more efficient and seamless. From initial design to modernisation, PlantStruxure transparently connects the control, operation and enterprise levels of the business.

For more information contact Silindelokuhle Dumakude, Schneider Electric SA, +27 11 254 6400, [email protected], www.se.com/za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Opinion piece: Digital twins in manufacturing – design, optimise and expand
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Digital twin technology can help create better products, fast. It can also transform the work of product development. This strong statement from McKinsey reinforces how far digital twins have come in manufacturing.

Read more...
UPS systems are key to keeping SA’s automotive industry up and running
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
During loadshedding, PLCs and OT systems often fail, not because they are directly tied to the factory’s core manufacturing process, but because they are now an integral part of IT infrastructure. When an IT system shuts down, the impact is far more complex than simply restarting machinery.

Read more...
Asset tracking is key to driving operational excellence and sustainable growth
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Asset tracking plays a critical role in the success of industrial businesses. By effectively managing and monitoring assets, companies can optimise their operations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently. This leads to improved productivity and reduced costs.

Read more...
Automation in the energy and process industries
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
For over 40 years, ABB has built and maintained a leadership position in the distributed control system (DCS) market by preserving its customers’ capital investments while providing new capabilities.

Read more...
Advanced contactor solution to revolutionise motor management
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched the TeSys Deca Advanced, an advanced contactor solution designed to revolutionise motor management with unparalleled efficiency, reliability, simplicity and sustainability.

Read more...
Schneider Electric launches first registered Innovation Hub in Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has officially launched its first registered Innovation Hub in Africa. This provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments and businesses such as energy, buildings, data centres, industrial, and power and grid.

Read more...
Food industry operations – not as simple as flipping a switch
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
The food industry represents a huge portion of the global economy, and is expected to reach $9,68 trillion in 2025. It is completely reliant on power, and due to its sheer size and the nature of its operations, power interruption can be catastrophic for its bottom line.

Read more...
4Sight OT Automation receives Schneider Sustainability Impact Award
Schneider Electric South Africa News
4Sight OT Automation is a winner of the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Award in South Africa.

Read more...
Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.

Read more...
New enhanced Breaker Status and Communication Module
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Breaker Status and Communication Module (BSCM) Modbus SL/ULP, which delivers enhanced performance, improved connectivity and simplified integration for power distribution systems.

Read more...