Ethernet-APL technology from Pepperl+Fuchs works well for high-availability safety applications

Ethernet-APL technology has many benefits.

Pepperl+Fuchs industrial solutions are available in Canada from Process Instruments and Components Inc. (PIC). One new offering in the Pepperl+Fuchs portfolio is products supporting the Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer technology. Ethernet-APL allows powerful, consistent digital communication in process automation from the sensor to the control level, while offering the features necessary to a modern, future-proof network.

To exploit these digital advantages completely, functionally safe automation can also be implemented within the same network architecture.

Higher accuracy and flexibility

As an innovative concept, Ethernet-APL works most effectively with newer manufacturing facilities, but implementing Ethernet-APL within a brownfield application is possible, as existing wiring and devices can still be used in some cases. Among its most potent features and advantages are the ability to have a uniform communication infrastructure across all process management and company levels and the high rate of speed (10 Mbit/s) in which data can be transmitted when compared to legacy HART or fieldbus installations. Using Pepperl+Fuchs Ethernet-APL solutions from PIC, users can transfer measured process values directly to automation systems with no loss of quality; this enhances measurement accuracy for optimized process control and higher safety. Other advantages that digital measuring points offer over analog ones include the transmission of several values and the automated evaluation of these measuring points. HAZOP studies often require conversion from digital to analog interfaces, but Ethernet-APL eliminates this disadvantage, since control and safety measurement are based on the same communications technology.

Ethernet-APL enables a differentiated evaluation and reaction to alarms with no loss of measured values, which helps to optimize diagnostics, and users can evaluate maintenance messages to reduce the testing effort. This technology also enhances predictive maintenance through the transmission of digital information to an actual measurement signal. It also makes extended production run times of facilities possible, as users can conduct many tests without interruption.

With Ethernet-APL solutions, users no longer require two separate field communication technologies in process control and safety applications, enabling uniform infrastructure. And the flexibility of this technology contributes substantially to the availability of a system, so users can select previously common star topologies without failure of individual devices affecting the overall system.

This innovation also future-proofs automation and safety, while enabling easier device replacement and monitoring, flexible planning, and reduced commissioning effort.

To learn more, contact PIC.

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