Benefits of advanced physical layer diagnosis for PROFIBUS PA

The two key benefits of Fieldbus are reduced capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX).   These reductions can be achieved by using the diagnostic information available from the field devices, which could be analysed by the DCS.

Additionally, there are tools available which measure basic physical layer values but, these tools don’t make the information available to the DCS and/or Asset Management System. The measurements are only taken during commissioning or in the event of trouble shooting.   For this reason alone, realisation of predictive or proactive maintenance for the physical layer is very difficult and would therefore require further measurements to be taken on a periodical basis.   To cover all required measurements, an oscilloscope is needed. Online measurements would simplify this process.

During the presentation, an explanation will be given as to which new diagnostic tools could be used, how these devices support the user during the commissioning phase with an automated wizard for loop checks, which additional physical layer values shall be measured and how to integrate these measurements into a DCS and/or Asset Management System.

An explanation will also be given with regards to the information required in a DCS and also in an Asset Management System. The presentation will show what functionalities are required for troubleshooting and the benefits to an end user.

Thomas Klatt, Pepperl+Fuchs

Thomas Klatt is Business Development Manager for fieldbus systems within the Pepperl+Fuchs group. Since 1996, he has been involved in many PROFIBUS projects within different industries, especially PROFIBUS PA for use in hazardous areas.