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Emerson Extends Vertical I/O Concept to SISs

ControlGlobal.com
09/16/2008

By Andrew Bond, Industrial Automation Insider

Back in 2005, when Honeywell introduced its “designed vertical” Series C I/O for Experion PKS, it didn’t take Emerson long to point out that mounting I/O modules vertically in cabinets in order to simplify wiring and promote air flow may have been revolutionary in Phoenix, but it had been common practice in Austin for some time.

That particular bit of tit for tat may well be repeated with the introduction by Emerson of DeltaV VerticalPlus I/O carriers, which extend the concept to its integrated safety system, DeltaV SIS, and makes the advantages of flexible installation, increased I/O density and better thermal management available to both basic process control systems (BPCSs) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SISs).

Less bends

Vertical I/O is claimed to be easier to install and maintain than conventional configurations because cables that enter at the bottom of the cabinets―standard practice especially in equipment rooms with raised floors―can be fanned out and terminated without multiple wire bends. The arrangement also reduces the overall air-conditioned cabinet footprint and ensures better thermal management and improved airflow.

The redesigned vertical carrier supports both simplex and redundant DeltaV SIS modules that communicate via a redundant safety bus, separate from the BPCS communications. The carriers can also communicate secure SIS data via redundant SISNet Repeaters to other DeltaV SIS nodes on vertical and horizontal carriers.

The power/controller carrier mounts to a T-type DIN rail with separate bussed field power provided for each individual card. Further I/O carriers can be added as required. Emerson claims that, overall, its PlantWeb digital architecture results in typical customer savings of over 30% on installed costs.

Emerson has acquired Louisville, Kentucky based valve instrumentation specialist TopWorx for an undisclosed sum. The company becomes part of Emerson Process Management, expanding its valve instrument offering and extending the reach of its PlantWeb architecture to on/off valves and other instruments.

TopWorx has over 50 years experience of process automation and introduced the industry’s first Foundation fieldbus enabled on-off valve controller. Its Valvetop discrete valve controllers connect on/off valves to a variety of fieldbus networking protocols while its GO Switch leverless limit switches provide reliable position sensing in harsh environments and tough applications. Outside the US it has locations in the UK, Singapore and South Africa.

“The acquisition gives us a quick and significant entry into the discrete instrumentation market, and is highly complementary to our existing valve, valve automation and instrument businesses,” explained Emerson Process Management president John Berra, who added that it will “enable us to provide a complete valve instrument portfolio, both wired and wireless.”