The ubiquitous problem common to every plant is the interface of plant measurement signals to the monitoring and control systems. Unfortunately for many plants this is the single biggest area of weakness and with the success of the organisation depending on these measurements more attention should be afforded to the integrity of signal conditioning systems.
The problems faced by these systems are numerous and include:
• Aged cabling and interfaces.
• Long cable runs.
• Earth loops.
• Interference from other plant devices.
• Floating earth potentials.
• Isolation of signals from PLC, scada and DCS.
• Legacy instrumentation.
• Isolate grounded equipment.
• Adding instruments to existing loops.
• Poor design.
• Converting current loops into accurate 1-5 V.
• Protecting against open circuit loops.
• Load dependency calibration.
The consequences can be onerous to the bottom line when these listed costs start adding up: damaged PLCs and DCS front end; downtime losses; inaccurate readings which affect plant production; reactive plant troubleshooting and increased maintenance load.
Many well informed plant owners and system integrators fit signal conditioning interfaces as standard during the design phase – the increase in cost on the signal interface more than pays for itself later in productivity and reliability. This is often sacrificed and traded off in the initial design.
Omniflex has accumulated 40+ years of experience in signal conditioning system design and has produced many innovative products in this particular field. Retrofitting this to plant is easy with DIN rail mounted modules which can be located in marshalling panels or termination boxes. A compendium of common plant interface problems is addressed in the following tutorial: “Loop powered isolators are a cost effective solution to solving loop problems”.
Upgrading an outdated alarm monitoring system Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Legacy alarm replacement specialist, Omniflex has successfully upgraded Guernsey Electricity’s MPAS90 alarm annunciator systems, which were first installed decades ago and are obsolete.
Read more...Introduction to Part 2 loop signatures and process transfer functions
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The previous series of loop signature articles dealt with the basics of control loop optimisation, and concentrated on troubleshooting and ‘SWAG’ tuning of simple processes. In this new series, consideration will be given to dealing practically with more difficult issues like interactive processes, and with processes with much more complex dynamics.
Read more...Siemens sets new standards in drive technology
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Siemens is setting new standards in industrial drive technology with the launch of its new high-performance drive system, Sinamics S220. This offers a seamless and innovative drive system with comprehensive simulation and analysis capabilities and advanced connectivity features that enable full integration into digital work processes.
Read more...Cathodic protection design considerations that influence ESG outcomes Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Electrical Power & Protection
Major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines and tanks are at constant risk of corrosion. David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist Omniflex, explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments, while simultaneously lowering costs and improving maintenance capabilities.
Read more...PC-based control in the plastics industry Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nissei Plastic, an injection moulding machine manufacturer based in Japan is implementing a worldwide tend towards open automation systems from experienced specialists using PC and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...Upgrading obsolete rack-based alarms Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Industrial Wireless
Legacy alarm replacement specialist, Omniflex has supported a major oil and gas company in Qatar by upgrading the obsolete MPAS 90 alarm systems at one of its major plants in the country.
Read more...Becoming a leader in alarm annunciators Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
SCADA/HMI
The rise of the digital age and PC-based systems and graphical interfaces led many to view the traditional annunciator market as obsolete. Omniflex explains how the company saw the market differently to then established players like Highland and Rochester, and how it reshaped the industry.
Read more...Loop Signature 31: Non-linearity in control loops (Part 2) Michael Brown Control Engineering
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
This article is a continuation of Loop Signature 30 published in the last issue in this series, exploring reasons for non-linearities which may be encountered in feedback control loops
Read more...PC-based control optimises robotic parts handling on plastics machinery Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
NEO is a cartesian robot developed by INAUTOM Robótica in Portugal for parts removal on plastics machinery. Its aim is to increase system productivity. NAUTOM Robótica has entered into a strategic partnership with Bresimar Automação to increase the working speed of the cartesian robots using advanced control and motion solutions from Beckhoff. The result is a comprehensive, future-proof automation solution for its entire family of cartesian robots.
Read more...PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding. This enables extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version