Category Archives: Industry Solutions

Back To The Future: Interbus Obsolescence

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Written by Tony Deane, Sales & Marketing Manager- Industry Management & Automation

Interbus is still an integral legacy part of industry, still supporting and operating countless systems throughout several industries from Automotive, Food and Beverage, Printing, Materials Handling and many more.

One of the defining characteristics of many Interbus systems is that, in many cases, they are spread over a wide area within a factory. In fact, due to the integrated repeater function in each device, the total expansion of the INTERBUS system can reach 13 km (8.078 mi.). Replacing a controller is one thing, replacing an entire network infrastructure of that magnitude on an operationally critical system to a business is an entirely different proposition and undertaking which, if at all possible, you would want to avoid.

The issue facing many legacy Interbus users is that many vendors who, in the past, used Interbus to leverage its ground-breaking properties when launched in 1986 (and used in new installations up to as recently as 2013), no longer support the PLC Systems that used Interbus as a fieldbus network, or no longer supply the Interbus master interface card, as the factory automation industry moves away from serial copper based network technology to Ethernet based networks (Profinet, Ethernet IP, Ethercat).

So, the question is how can you upgrade your control system to the latest control technology without having to replace a perfectly robust, extensive, and functioning network infrastructure overnight?

As the creators of Interbus in 1986, Phoenix Contact offers you not one, but two options.

Firstly, we offer the FL NP PND 4TX 2985974 Profinet proxy device.

The FL NP PND 4TX device allows your control system to control your Interbus network by combining a Profinet device with an integrated Interbus G4 Master within one product.  The device allows the PLC to talk to the Interbus network via Profinet. This will provide a path towards a gradual change of network infrastructure, whilst the plant remains in operation.

For the second option, Phoenix Contact offer PLC Next Technology utilising the AXC F XT IB 2403018 Interbus master interface. This option requires a far more comprehensive re-engineering approach than the FL NP PND 4TX but will allow you to bring an existing, robust and dependable Interbus system into a control platform that can leverage High level languages including C#, C++, Opensource software, allow you to use the likes of NodeRed and allow instant IIOT cloud access to process data via Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and our own Proficloud service to give visibility and transparency, to enable early diagnosis, intervention and ultimately, efficiency to your system.

Both solutions allow for a gradual migration to Profinet over an extended period, therefore making the inevitable move to an Ethernet technology-based network, a project-based undertaking with less disruption both operationally and financially.  

For more information or demonstration of either option contact Tony Deane on 07824 437393 or email tdeane@phoenixcontact.com

Embrace power from the sun

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Written by Mark Lloyd, Senior Product Manager- Surge Protection & Power Supplies and Fraser Cowie, Product Manager- Interface

Whether you own your home, run a business, or have some land that can be developed, you can make use of this space to install solar panels, which will help reduce your carbon footprint and you can benefit from lower energy bills.

Phoenix Contact have a plethora of solutions which can be utilised in solar applications helping you to install, control and protect your solar application.

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PLCNext – Limitless Possibilities

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Written by Andrew Ellis – Field Application Engineer, Automation and Renewables

As an automation engineer with nearly 20+ years of experience with multiple automation systems across many industries,  you would think that answering questions on automation products would be easy. However, having recently joined Phoenix Contact, one of the more difficult questions I get asked is how would I describe PLCnext?

My first thought is to equate PLCnext to a blank piece of paper. With a pencil you can draw and create plans. Scissors allow you to cut out shapes, and folding the paper with your hands allows you to build. Tools are what make PLCnext so flexible. With the ability to program in IEC 61131, C++, Matlab, Python, Rust, Node Red etc you can find the right tool for the job. PLCnext provides the flexibility of Linux, with the reliability of a PLC.

Then I think to myself, maybe a better analogy would be with a multitool. PLCnext provides a single platform for small scale systems, through to full scale decentralised systems and also edge computing. Extension modules provide further functionality with PROFIsafe, IO link, Machine learning and of course, compatibility with the full range of Axioline IO modules and remote IO.

Or maybe it should be likened to a mobile phone. The PLCnext store allows you to extend the functionality of the system with pre-built software extension, or you can download fully realised apps directly to your controller. Furthermore, if you have an app you wish to commercialise, then let us assist you to take advantage of our eco-system and sell your app on the PLCnext store. Phoenix Contact also provide a social space to exchange ideas and support each other within the PLCnext community.

For more information about PLCnext, contact Andrew on 07584514958 or email aellis@phoenixcontact.com

Or maybe I just need to ask what ideas do you have for your next product? Then we can demonstrate how PLCnext can be open to your automation possibilities, rather than limit your solution.

How can you install your Smart Building projects with the least amount of wiring?

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Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure

With Niagara 4.11 recently released, I have some new innovative features that are now available from our Infrastructure solutions to share with you. Don’t take these solutions only for Building Automation projects, we can do so much more with Niagara. Speak to me today and I can explain how!

  1. Our ILC 2050 controller now offers,via its Shell environment, the ability to create IP Static Routes. For those networking experts this reduces the requirement of a Layer 3 switch. Now that’s a game changer offering benefits in cost & time saving in your projects.
  2. Further improvements in CPU utilisation.

Have you ever wondered how you can install your projects with the least amount of wiring in retrofit applications? Have you ever struggled with how to turn legacy buildings into Smart Buildings?

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A new era for Industry Management and Automation at Phoenix Contact UK

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Written by Tony Deane, Sales and Marketing Manager- Industry Management and Automation

My new role at Phoenix Contact UK has set me many new challenges and objectives, both engineering and commercial. 

In Industry Management, it is putting a team together an Industry Management structure for

In the realm of Automation, it is maintaining a solid product management team and technical support structure in the following disciplines

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Seamless integration for your Building Automation

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Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure

In my previous blogs I have talked a lot about some of our great solutions for Building IOT. If you haven’t checked them out, you can here.

When it comes to designing Building Automation solutions, it is difficult when you have old hardware to work with or you are integrating many systems. For example:

  • HVAC – AHUs, VAVs, etc.
  • Smart Meters – Energy meters, flow meters, heat pumps, etc.
  • Security – Access control, fire panel, etc.
  • Lighting control
  • Workplace environment – Room booking, room control, etc.
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Smart design for smart buildings

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Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Interface

In my previous blogs I talked a lot about some of our great solutions for Building IOT. If you haven’t checked them out, you can here.

When it comes to designing requirements for a Smart Buildings solution, it is important to consider whether the design is robust or smart. Our solutions help engineers feel confident in their designs being robust and smart. This is achieved using our ILC2050 flexibility and software configuration tools, such as Project+, for designing and putting together hardware requirements for a project.

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Supercharge your milk float!

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Written by Nigel Dawbarn, Sales & Marketing Manager – Industry Management and E-Mobility

The world is a fast paced place, with so much available on demand we are no longer used to waiting! And with time being money we cannot afford to be waiting for hours for our vehicles to charge to carry on our journeys or deliveries.

Phoenix Contact has recently launched the Universal Inlet for use in passenger cars but also for many commercial and industrial vehicles. Imagine road sweepers, refuse trucks, buses larger trucks and delivery vans (and don’t forget the motorcycle!) all being available in electric form in the coming years, our air quality will see a massive improvement when these vehicles are being used in our towns and cities. But how can we reduce the time needed to charge these vehicles?

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How can you make an old building smart?

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Written by Deepan Patel, Industry Manager- Infrastructure

New features alert!

With Niagara 4.9 recently released, I have some new innovative features that are now available from our Infrastructure solutions to share with you. Don’t take these solutions only for Building Automation projects, we can do so much more with Niagara such as Email/SMS alerts, Data Logging, HTML5 autogenerated pages, visualisation engine, etc. Speak to me today and I can explain how!

  1. Our ILC 2050 controller now offers via its Shell environment, the ability to create IP Static Routes. For those networking experts this reduces the requirement of a Layer 3 switch. Now that’s a game changer!

2. Improved CPU load performance with the latest firmware release.

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The green light for Clixtrab surge protection

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Written by Mark Lloyd, Senior Product Manager- Power Supplies & Surge Protection

Safety-related systems, such as signalling systems found on our railway networks, require reliable lightning and surge protection. You could imagine the outcry if a lightning strike was to take out a trackside signalling system and stop trains in their tracks (no pun intended)!

Our new family, CLIXTRAB, is specifically designed for use in the kind of safety-related systems you find in the railway industry but is also suitable for many other industry sectors.

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