ABB 800xA Device Management and Fieldbus Overview

When configuration is complete, additional fieldbus manage ment tool features support commissioning and installation of the fieldbus networks and devices. After initialization of the network, all device configurations are downloaded. Bus timing and schedule are generated auto matically, while device parameters can be displayed and mod ified individually online. The ability to tune device parameters from the control room through the system infrastructure reduces the need for trips to the plant floor and speeds up commis sioning significantly. Data stored in the system’s data base and in field devices can be reconciled. For larger installations, Bulk Data Manager helps to compare parameters in the field devices with the settings planned in project databases. When parts of the plant are already running and further field bus devices need to be added, System 800xA supports such additions with minimal impact on the running application and field devices.

Operation and maintenance

Operation

System 800xA’s Workplaces are the user interfaces for plant operators, engineers, maintenance technicians, and managers to control and monitor applications based on field devices and to maintain these devices. Based on different user roles, the workplaces can be adjusted to take advantage of field device data according to different plant operation paradigms.

Operator Workplace

Status information coming with process values of fieldbus devices can be displayed on faceplates to give operators guidance how reliable a signal is, based on the condition of the field device. This data can be enriched with diagnostics or alarms & events created on the device, so that operators be come aware of anomalous situations immediately and can take corresponding action. It is even possible to give operators access to DTMs so that they can read detailed diagnostics directly out of the device.

Maintenance Workplace

In plants where maintenance personnel are on site around the clock, direct access to devices will typically be limited to maintenance engineers working out of the Maintenance Workplace.

This workplace allows grouping and structuring of field devices and other plant assets according to maintenance needs, e.g. by device categories or maintenance teams as shown in Figure 4. Device functionality is easily accessible via context menu.

By combining Device Management with 800xA Asset Optimi zation, additional features become available like overview dis plays allowing assessing the plant’s health at a glance based on continuous monitoring powered by Asset Monitors. Asset Monitors help to track down root causes of failures quicker and enable more efficient preventive maintenance schemes or predictive maintenance. By regularly scanning device status and internal parameters, Asset Monitors can detect upcoming maintenance conditions before a device actually breaks. In addition to presenting such alarms in maintenance alarm groups on the system workplace, the system’s SMS and email messaging service can be used to notify key plant personnel via mobile telephones, email accounts, and pagers. Comprehensive fault reports including relevant operating pro cedures can be created out of Asset Monitors and automati cally transmitted to a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to initiate the work order process. For the Device Object Types of 800xA Device Libraries, all aspects are preconfigured to take advantage of the enhanced Asset Optimization features. Further details and additional options like integration with cali bration management tools are described in the 800xA Asset Optimization Overview document. In summary, the flexibility of System 800xA combined with the integrated Device Management solution can make device in formation available wherever needed in the system in a seam less fashion.