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Smart cable adapts starters to any bus

01 May, 2002

Smart cable adapts starters to any bus

ABB has developed a technology which allows control equipment to be connected to any fieldbus system by using the appropriate "smart" connecting cable. At the Hanover Fair, the company presented a range of motor starters and controls which are the first products to use the FieldBusPlug (PBP) technology.

The motor controls are fitted with a non-specific bus connector into which one end of the cable is plugged. The other end of the cable has a connector to the chosen bus system. The cable incorporates the "intelligence" needed to translate the signals for the appropriate protocol.

ABB says the FieldBusPlug (shown above) will simplify project planning, commissioning and maintenance, and provide greater flexibility.

The initial motor control modules supporting the FBP include:

• a starter providing switching and fuseless protection for motors rotating in one direction and drawing currents from 0.1-12A;

• a 45mm-wide reversing starter, which switches and protects motors rotating in either direction;

• an interface which snaps into ABB`s MS325 motor protection switch to form a complete starter, including diagnostics; and

• a "flagship" motor controller which supports star-delta and actuator functions for motors from 0.2-63A, and incorporates six 24V DC digital inputs, and three relay outputs. These modules are designed to mount either on one DIN-rail or on two if extra vibration resistance is required.

Other products, including inductive and capacitive sensors, limit switches, and I/O protected to IP65, are being developed to support the FieldBusPlug technology.




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