Advanced Diagnostics

The fieldbus physical layer of FOUNDATION fieldbus H1 and PROFIBUS PA turns into a manageable asset with the Advanced Diagnostic Module (ADM). The ADM automates commissioning and documentation, monitors the fieldbus segment online, and identifies faults in realtime.

An embedded expert system learns and interprets the electric values and behavior of each segment. Plant maintenance receives early, easy-to-understand warnings. This is supported by the simple user display:

• Commissioning wizard
• Diagnostic display
• Segment monitoring views with NAMUR color indication according to NE 107
• Data export function for analysis of long-term trends

With ADM, fieldbus is now much easier to manage. Information is available from the safety of the control room. Unnecessary trips into the field are avoided for the safety of personnel within the plant.

The fieldbus diagnostic handheld (FDH-1) is the only portable solution with embedded expert system. For novice and experienced users alike the FDH-1 offers functions to check and monitor the quality of the fieldbus physical layer. Our users can check:

• the quality of an installation with just one push of a button,
• existing cable for their usability with fieldbus,
• messages from the expert system giving concise advice about quality and possible remedy of faults in the Installation.

Highest availability and minimizing fault conditions is the main demand in process plants. Researching fieldbus installations since 2001 has led our scientists and engineers to design fieldbus components and accessories that detect and isolate these types of faults. “Diagnostic” enabled components installed in the field will detect, alarm, and where possible, isolate these faults.

Monitoring the control cabinet requires additional inputs and outputs. They are now available with diagnostic gateways – the central component of making Advanced Diagnostics work in the DCS. Status of heating and cooling equipment, condition monitoring of fans and information about unauthorized access reach the control room as alarm messages.

Accessories monitor and alarm water ingress in junction boxes or instrument housings. Surge protectors issue alarms when replacement is required. Testing and re-testing in the field is no longer necessary.