A slice of flexibility
April 2004
Motion Control & Drives
Access Control & Identity Management
Security Services & Risk Management
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Circuit Breaker Industries (CBI), has launched a new Profibus-based remote plug-in I/O series, the Melsec ST from Mitsubishi Electric. The ST stands for 'slice-type terminal', a plug-in remote I/O system made up of plug-in electronics modules. The architecture is versatile and precisely configurable and has gold contacts, coded modules and a fast backplane bus, which provide maximum reliability.
It features the latest 'hot swap' technology, which makes it possible to replace I/O modules at the touch of a key while the system is running. Because of its permanent wiring system, no cables need be re-connected. The Melsec ST series can also be deployed universally in distributed automation systems; with its non-proprietary protocols it is compatible with all masters conforming to the Profibus standard. It is suitable for systems with continuous or long-term processes calling for exceptional availability performance - for example power stations, sewage treatment plants and car factories.
Melsec ST improves the flexibility of automation components, enabling users to build and expand their systems 'slice by slice'. To provide the inputs and outputs needed for controlling system components, modules are added to the head station, a bus interface module, as required. The head station transports all the control signals quickly and securely to and from all the Profibus-compatible masters via a single bus cable. The advantage over compact block-type modules with fixed numbers of inputs and outputs is that there are no unused channels, which saves space and cuts costs.
The slim, space-saving electronics modules are 12,6 mm thick. They can be mixed with different functions in any order, for configuration to individual needs. This applies to the I/O modules and the power supply modules, making it possible to set up precisely configured module groups in any position required within a station. The Melsec ST product range currently includes analog inputs and outputs for current and voltage, short-circuit-proof digital transistor inputs and outputs and digital relay outputs.
For more information contact Eddie Milne, Circuit Breaker Industries, 011 928 2000, [email protected], www.cbi.co.za
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