New communication module for PAC measuring devices enables cost-effective power monitoring in the manufacturing industry.
With the new Switched Ethernet Profinet module, Siemens is expanding the function spectrum of its PAC3200 and PAC4200 measuring devices. Now the devices also support the Ethernet transmission standard Profinet IO as well as the Profinet-based power management profile Profienergy. As a result, the power values of industrial plants collected with the help of the measuring devices can be integrated directly in higher-level production automation and power management systems and be used for sustainable reductions in power consumption and carbon emissions.
During production stops and idle times, the sensors and actuators distributed throughout industrial plants still consume up to 40% less power than they require in normal operation. With Profienergy, the power management protocol defined by the Profinet User Organization, it is possible to reduce these standby losses and to control a plant’s energy consumption in accordance with demand. For example, units can be switched off automatically during scheduled or unscheduled downtimes. The most energy-efficient operating mode for the given conditions is determined and then implemented through flexible adaptation.
With PAC measuring devices, the power requirements of the various operating states can be determined exactly and power management during production can be optimised further. Thanks to the new Switched Ethernet Profinet module, higher-level systems can be made available via Profienergy and be used as a basis for implementing power saving measures. Similarly the values can be transmitted via Profinet IO and be integrated in control systems such as Simatic 7.
The installation, networking and commissioning costs for the Switched Ethernet Profinet module are minimal: the module is simply plugged onto the back of the power monitoring device and, thanks to the integrated Ethernet switch, is directly connected to the PAC and further Ethernet stations. Additional external switches are no longer needed for this purpose, resulting in further cost savings and less installation work. The module is detected automatically and can be easily programmed using the powerconfig software from Siemens, or the menu on the modules integrated display.
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