Posted to News on 28th Jan 2008, 21:00
XPS-MF40 safety PLC uses SafeEthernet fieldbus protocol
New from Telemecanique, a brand of Schneider Electric, is the XPS-MF40 compact yet powerful safety PLC designed for applications requiring multiple simultaneous safety functions. It meets SIL3 requirements of the functional safety standard EN 61508 (and EN 62061 for machines or EN 61511 for process control), as well as category 4 of EN 954-1 (and the equivalent in EN 13849-1).
The hardware features 24 totally configurable digital inputs/outputs for flexibility, eight pulsed control channels for category 4 input circuit short-circuit monitoring on devices such as emergency stops, and an integrated two-port Ethernet switch with failsafe SafeEthernet protocol. To complement this, up to 64 remote safety I/O modules (each with up to 24 I/O) can be connected in the form of XPS-MF1/2/3 units.
All safety-related data transferred between XPSMF40s and remote safety I/O is over SafeEthernet, a deterministic system suitable for large-scale, long-distance applications using the standard black channel of Ethernet (copper, fibre or even wireless). SafeEthernet has already found application in large distributed machinery projects, on multi-site lock safety controls over 30km apart, in complex press safety control systems, burner management systems and in the chemical industry. Non-safety-related communication for diagnostics (either to other PLCs or HMIs) is over Modbus TCP-IP (Modbus over Ethernet), or if serial comms are required, then transfer is over Modbus or Profibus.
The software for the XPSMF40 makes programming simple by separating the hardware configuration from the software configuration. 14 certified safety function blocks and a library of IEC 61131-3 function blocks further assist programming.
