GE Fanuc expands 8000 Process I/O range

A GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms UK product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 7, 2008

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the availability of the 8129 supervised discrete input/output module, the 8132 universal analogue input module, and the 8133 analogue input with Hart.

The devices are additions to the the company's 8000 Process I/O line.

'8000 Process I/O is a completely modular distributed I/O solution for both general purpose and hazardous area applications,' said Dave Reynolds, product marketing manager for GE Fanuc's Process Solutions.

'Unlike most process control equipment, it is built to be mounted in the entire spectrum of plant environments.

'It is able to withstand extreme temperatures of -40 to + 70C.

'With ISA G3 corrosion resistance and extended shock and vibration capabilities it can handle the most demanding applications.' The Process I/O modules are available for virtually any process signal, including analogue, thermocouple, RTD, potentiometer, discrete, high-speed counter, frequency and quadrature.

For hazardous applications, it integrates intrinsic safety and sensor signal conditioning in one package.

'The three modules we are introducing will provide customers with the flexibility to configure an I/O to suit their applications,' said Jim Leatherby, product manager.

The 8129-IO-DC supervised discrete input/output module provides the flexibility for interfacing to eight channels by allowing any combination of discrete inputs and outputs to be configured.

Each of the eight channels of the module may be configured, on a channel-by-channel basis, as either an input or an output.

The module's internal diagnostics monitor all inputs, check for line faults and check for proper operation.

Each channel has an input transition counter and optional latching.

When configured as an output, the channel is capable of switching up to 2.0A (maximum of 6.0A continuous per module).

Comprehensive diagnostic tests are conducted on each of the channels including test for stuck 'on' and stuck 'off' output switches.

Each output channel is short circuit protected and offers a pulsed output option.

The 8132 universal analogue input module provides for eight isolated universal input channels.

It is configurable on a channel-by-channel basis for 4-20mA, THC, RTD, and resistance and voltage inputs.

The 8132 interfaces to a broad range of standard input types, including support for 10ohm Cu RTDs, bipolar voltage inputs and current inputs down to 0mA.

It supports 250V AC rms channel-to-channel isolation, multiple thermocouple and RTD types, and multiple voltage input types.

The 8133 HI-TX supervised analogue input module with Hart provides the interface to eight channels of 4-20mA input signals.

The Hart capabilities allow acquisition of up to four secondary variables per channel, which can be used by a standard application program.

The module also interfaces to several asset management packages and can communicate with any Hart field device transparently, using Hart pass through.

The module carries out a number of diagnostic checks to confirm the accuracy of the measurement reported and the correct operation of the module, plus can automatically detect if there is a module problem.