Modular redundancy said to offer highest TyV integrity rating

March 2002 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

GE Fanuc Automation Genius Modular Redundancy (GMR) has received a Class-6 integrity rating from TyV, As a result of these new certifications, GE Fanuc says that the GMR platform can offers users the greatest flexibility for critical applications. "We not only offer all ESD and safety configurations within a single product line, but we can also configure high-availability, hot-standby systems as well. With these certifications, customers can implement all safety integrity levels (0-3) on a single, cost-effective platform.

Designed for the most demanding mission critical and safety-related applications, GMR is a flexible and scalable solution that provides variable redundancy for up to three PLC processors. The system is comprised of a standard Series 90-70 PLC and GE Fanuc's Genius I/O components, which have the capability to diagnose system faults and take corrective action automatically. To ensure correct control decisions, system inputs, CPU and output demands are majority voted. In the unlikely event of a system failure, all Genius I/O modules are configured with 'safe state' default parameters.

Because GMR is fault-tolerant, single faults do not affect the operation of the control system. Comprehensive diagnostics identify individual faults by periodically testing every modular component in each control channel. Fault information is logged and made available to application programs, enabling appropriate control actions to affect repairs without interrupting system operations.

Due to the critical nature of typical GMR applications, GE Fanuc initially sought independent certification through TyV in March of 1995, when GMR was awarded DIN Class-5 TyV certification. Two years later, an enhanced GMR product was awarded the same approval rating. With Class-6 status, GMR has now achieved TyV's highest integrity rating.

GMR has been applied to many critical and safety-related applications such as emergency shutdown, fire and gas detection, burner management, and rotating equipment protection systems used in refineries, chemical plants, and offshore drilling platforms.

GE Fanuc Automation is a leading global supplier of automation controls. These products and services include CIMPLICITY monitoring and control products, micro to high-end PLCs.

Peter de Lange, GE Industrial Systems

011 314 7500

[email protected]

www.gefanuc.com

Further reading:

Electrostatic spark discharge – when static strikes back
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck technical manager, Steven Lumley explains how static electricity accumulates in modern low-conductivity lubricants, why compact system designs and fine filtration make ESD more likely, and how to recognise the degradation it leaves behind.

Read more...

---

High-speed cameras for crash testing
Horne Technologies Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vision Research has expanded its Phantom C-series with two cameras optimised for crash and safety testing, offering 4 and 8 megapixel sensors rated to 170G, up to 1180 frames per second, and Phantom Academy application training planned for South Africa next year.

Read more...

---

SKF extends remanufacturing expertise to bearing clearance modification
SKF South Africa Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Using its clearance modification expertise, SKF helped a mining equipment OEM salvage spherical roller bearing inventory that would otherwise have been scrapped, confirming a new capability within its remanufacturing services and avoiding redundant procurement.

Read more...

---

When maintenance-system compliance starts replacing plant reliability
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck ARC division manager, Annemie Willer argues that the greatest threat to effective maintenance is no longer a lack of technology, but the gradual replacement of technical judgement by CMMS compliance, leaving no one owning the machine.

Read more...

---

Automatic lubrication systems drive mobile mine machine reliability and uptime
SKF South Africa Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
SKF’s Lincoln P203 progressive lubrication systems are improving reliability and uptime on mobile machines at a Zambian gold mine, with installation of 45 units completing by October 2026.

Read more...

---

Nitration: the acid you didn’t see coming
Wearcheck Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Nitration is as destructive as oxidation in many engines but far less understood. WearCheck technical manager, Steven Lumley explains how nitrogen oxide gases degrade lubricants, why the process is difficult to detect, and what oil analysis can reveal before damage occurs.

Read more...

---

KSB makes mechanical seals for its own pumps and other brands
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
KSB Pumps and Valves is expanding its range of mechanical seals to fit its own pumps and competitor brands. The portfolio covers component and cartridge seals, API 682-compliant systems, slurry and high-pressure seals, and ATEX-certified solutions, supported by refurbishment and field service capabilities.

Read more...

---

Omniflex delivers ICCP systems in London
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection systems for landmark London buildings, protecting reinforced concrete from corrosion and extending the service life of commercial, retail and heritage sites.

Read more...

---

Modernising acid cooler protection without disrupting production
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex has supplied an advanced anodic protection control system to phosphate producer Foskor, replacing a legacy transformer rectifier system while maintaining uninterrupted production. The distributed PowerView CP solution provides remote monitoring and DCS integration.

Read more...

---

Engineering partnership delivers longer life for vibrating feeders in mining
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
OST-Africa’s combination of VISAM vibrating motors and advanced rubber mounting technology has helped Euro Sales achieve a 30 to 40% increase in component life on vibrating feeders at several major mining operations, with zero mount failures in the first 12 months.

Read more...

---