Foxboro migration cards upgrade Moore APACS systems

Using Invensys' well-proven 'plug-in' migration approach, this DCS upgrade can be accomplished without having to replace existing field wiring, termination assemblies, system enclosures, or power supplies. Invensys replaces the old APACS input/output (I/O) modules with new Foxboro I/A series I/O modules specially designed to plug right into the existing system racks. Hence, with proper upfront planning, database conversion, and off-line testing, the actual system switchover can be achieved in hours, with minimal – if any – costly process downtime. To reduce engineering costs, the existing APACS per-channel configurable I/O approach is retained. This eliminates the need for complicated I/O mapping.

And to save even more on engineering and operator training requirements associated with the migration, the existing APACS ProcessSuite graphics can be reused within Invensys' advanced InFusion View human machine interface (HMI). InFusion View can be seamlessly layered over the new I/A series DCS components to provide users with both a familiar HMI and an initial building block toward implementing a complete InFusion ECS.

Easy, low-risk and cost-effective

Betty Naylor-McDevitt, director of the Foxboro Automation unit of Invensys Process Systems, comments: "Invensys brings new meaning and value to the term, 'migration.' Not only do we make it a relatively easy, low-risk, and cost-effective proposition for users of legacy DCSs to migrate to a state-of-the-art I/A series system to help immediately improve plant performance, we also position those same users to be able to take advantage of the latest InFusion ECS technology, which is designed to help improve overall enterprise business performance."

The new I/A series migration modules for APAC systems (which meet or exceed original specifications) support the latest Foxboro I/A Series system capabilities, including:

• Rugged, optionally redundant/fault-tolerant 200 Series I/O for non-stop analogue, discrete, and HART digital field communications

• High-performance, optionally-redundant/fault-tolerant ZCP- and FCP-270 control processors provide the power, flexibility, and reliability needed to implement today's demanding unit- and plant-wide process control strategies

• The new I/A series field device manager takes advantage of both EDDL and FDT fieldbus technologies to reduce configuration, commissioning, and ongoing support costs for intelligent field devices over the instruments' entire life cycles

• One GB Mesh Control Network takes full advantage of proven commercial networking technologies to help ensure unconstrained performance and non-stop communications over the process control network

Using the company's well-proven plug-in migration approach, Invensys has already helped more than 400 customers around the world upgrade their legacy Honeywell TDC2000 and TDC3000, Bailey NET 90 and INFI 90, Fisher PROVOX S10 and S20, Westinghouse WDPF, Siemens Moore APACS, and Foxboro SPECTRUM and SPEC 200 systems to current Foxboro I/A series technology.