Everything fieldbus

May 10, 2007
Every month, Control’s editors take a specific product area, collect all the latest, significant tools we can find, and present them here to make your job easier. This month, we focus on fieldbus.

 If you know of any tools and resources we didn’t include, send them to [email protected], and we’ll add them to the website.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This website gives the answer to many questions asked about Foundation fieldbus technology: What is Foundation technology? Are there registered Foundation devices? What is Foundation H1? What is Foundation HSE? Are Foundation devices interchangeable? What applications are best suited for fieldbus? and more. Fieldbus Foundation; 512/794-8890; www.fieldbus.org/index.php?option=com_simplefaq&Itemid=309

LITERATURE DOWNLOADS
Dedicated Fieldbus website lists many downloads on technical, educational and product brochures on fieldbus technology. Literature titles include FieldConnex Catalog; Fieldbus Poster; Fieldbus Fast Facts; free download of fieldbus software development tool; and many white papers. Pepperl+Fuchs; 330/425-4607; www.FieldConnex.info

WHY USE A FIELDBUS?
White paper entitled “Why Use a Fieldbus” discusses where and why fieldbus technology is being installed worldwide in many industrial sectors, not just high-end petrochemical and refining industries. It discusses issues such as how much can be saved by installing fieldbus systems and the learning curves for personnel. Profibus Trade Organization; 480/483-2456; www.us.profibus.com/docs/Why%20Use%a20%Fieldbus.pdf

LEARN ABOUT FIELDBUS
This website introduces users to PlantWeb University’s online courses that make it ease to understand and evaluate today’s automation technologies for improving project, process and plant performance. There is a course on choosing the right fieldbus (networks for process automation, HART, Profibus PA, Foundation fieldbus), network wiring and hardware, planning a project and installation. Emerson Process Management; 800/654-7768; www.emersonprocess.com/home/feature/pwu-fieldbus.html

INTRODUCTION TO FIELDBUS
“Introduction to Fieldbus” white paper explains, in terms any engineer, technician or operator can understand, how fieldbus works. It explains the difference between Foundation fieldbus H1 and other fieldbus technologies; the elements of fieldbus: H1 cards, power supplies, segments, trunks, device couplers and segment terminators; how fieldbus device couplers work; and more. Moore Industries-International; 818/894-7111; www.miinet.com/moorehawke

FIELDBUS TRAINING COURSES
The Fieldbus Center at Lee College, a NSF-recognized and funded institution, is offering a Foundation fieldbus training course for power and wire installers. The two-day course covers installation and testing for fieldbus physical layer components. The course allows 12 students at a time to receive instruction in laying out, securing, terminating and testing wiring used for a Foundation device networks. Fieldbus Center, Lee College; 832/556/4446; www.knowthebus.org

THE WORLD OF FIELDBUS
This website bills itself as “the web’s most comprehensive information source for fieldbus and related industrial networking technologies.” It contains links to information about associations, testing, standards, events, training, books and magazines and more. Fieldbus World; www.fieldbusworld.com/