Product category:
Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications
News Release from: ABB Automation Tech (Drives and Motors) | Subject: Intelligent Ethernet module
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 March 2003
Ethernet module puts motor drives online
Controlling a drive across continents is now possible thanks to a new intelligent Ethernet module that connects drives to the Internet.
Controlling a drive across continents is now possible, thanks to a new intelligent Ethernet module from ABB, which connects drives to the Internet The Ethernet module works with any ABB drive that provides a fibre-optic link, communicating via a standard web browser
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 8 Feb 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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The module gives simple, real time access to the drive via the Internet.
The user can set up a virtual monitoring room wherever there is a PC with an Internet connection, including a simple dial-up connection.
This enables remote monitoring, configuration, diagnostics and, when needed, control.
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The drive can also provide process related information, such as load level, run time, energy consumption and I/O data, for instance bearing temperature of the driven machine.
The intelligent Ethernet module has an embedded server with all the necessary software for user interface, communication and data storage.
This gives ease of access, real time information and the possibility for two-way communication with the drive, enabling immediate response and actions, saving time and money.
This is possible without using a PC at the local end, as required by other remote solutions.
The module can also send condition triggered event alerts to predefined email addresses.
This opens new possibilities for monitoring and maintenance of unmanned applications across a range of industries, for instance water, wind power, building services and oil and gas, as well as any decentralised application where the user needs access to the drives from more than one location.
It also provides an opportunity for OEMs and system integrators to support their installed base globally.
Up to nine drives can be connected to the intelligent Ethernet module.
It is available as an option for new drives, as well as an upgrade for existing systems.
Ethernet allows the integration of office and process environments into a global network.
The module supports the usual HTTP, IP, TCP, SMTP, BOOTP, UDP, Telnet and FTP protocols, as well as Modbus/TCP based process control.
Access to the module is secured by user ID and passwords.
Multiple security level enables the allocation of different access rights to normal users and administrators.
Even higher levels of security can be achieved using a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
The module is mounted onto a standard mounting rail inside or outside the drive unit, depending on drive type and configuration.
It connects to the drive with fibre optic cables.
The size of the module is 93 x 35 x 76.5mm.
The IP address of the Ethernet module can be freely allocated.
The user interface with the drive is created using embedded Java applets.
The web page of the module is opened like any other web address.
The home page shows a general overview of the system with traffic lights and action buttons to guide the user through the different sections.
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