PLCs for railway applications
January 2014
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Pilz has expanded its automation system PSS 4000 with a new series of modules for use in railway technology. These modules have an -R (railway) in the product name and are characterised by a particularly robust design. The overall solution meets increased safety and environmental requirements up to SIL 4 of CENELEC 5012x.
Railway industry users benefit from a standardised industrial solution, reducing the work involved in gaining approval. The R modules can be used in a range of different applications within the railway industry. These include control functions on track building machinery and traction units, as well as control and monitoring functions in the signalling area. Signal monitoring on level crossings, control and safety technology or signal box connections are also included.
“With the R modules in the PSS 4000, Pilz makes it clear that industrial control solutions are suitable for use in modernising signalling technology in the rail network,” explains Armin Glaser, head of product management at Pilz. “Standardised solutions, simple configuration and programming as well as low investment and operating costs are just some of the benefits of using industry-proven safety control systems.”
Due to its openness and flexibility, the PSS 4000 automation system from Pilz is used not only in classic mechanical engineering but also in car production. It can also be used by customers in the chemical industry, on cable cars, dockside cranes and sluice systems. The benefit: it examines aspects of standard automation and safety within one system. What’s more, PSS 4000 offers the benefits of a decentralised control structure without the complexity that is normally associated with such a system. In detail, PSS 4000 consists of multiple hardware and software components, plus the real-time Ethernet SafetyNET p and corresponding network components. These can be used to connect other decentralised control systems and input/output modules, as well as to download both safety related and non safety related data.
Pilz control technology is used all over the world for safety in passenger and freight transportation: on level crossings, in the shunting yard or in building services technology in railway stations.
For more information contact Craig Cuff, Prime Automation, +27 (0)41 819 7746, [email protected], www.primeautomation.co.za
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