Ideal annunciator display for any PLC
Jan 2000
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Omniflex
Omniflex, the manufacturer of the Omni-16 annunciator range, has released the Omni-16c Serial Display, designed to work directly with PLCs in alarm monitoring applications. The Serial Display connects to the PLC via RS232 or as a multidrop using RS485 where up to 32 displays can be connected to a single port.
Using a serial modbus connection between the display and the PLC eliminates the need for an entire output card in the PLC to drive the annunciator, this alone resulting in savings. Further savings are achieved in the annunciator logic which now does not have to be written in the PLC as it is already programmed into the Omni-16c Serial Display. Thus, all the PLC has to do is send the input status to the display which then triggers the relevant alarm window. Each window can be programmed for a different alarm sequence which handles the annunciation functions, lamp flashing, audible relays, control pushbutton inputs, horns and group alarms etc. Furthermore, these sequences can be changed easily, something that would be infinitely more difficult in PLC logic.
There are many plant engineers who prefer to use PLCs for monitoring all plant inputs and as alarm displays still play a vital role in the modern control room, the separate cost of the annunicator plus the PLC and associated I/O cards is rather expensive. Furthermore, in an attempt to try and save costs, annunciation software is often written for the PLC which often takes longer than anticipated and does not offer the full functionality of a preprogrammed Omni-16c Serial Display. A major downside to programming the PLC to do the alarm logic is the burden this places on the PLC's CPU.
This new generation of serial display not only reduces total installation costs while offering a redundancy strategy for mission critical applications but it also removes the loading on the PLC's CPU and frees it up to do what it should be doing.
A single external pushbutton station can be used for all the Serial Displays, which are then synchronised or, if required, optional built-in control pushbuttons in each display can be used instead.
The display technology offers incandescent lamp or LED illumination options, the latter being either backlit or side-lit. As with all new Omni-16c annunciators, laser-printed legends replaces the older style manually engraved plastic windows as they are easier to produce and quick to duplicate.
As a further cost saving, an integral mains power supply (110/220) saves the need for a separate 24 V d.c. instrument supply
The new product range is also available in a true half-size 8-point version and an 8-point micro version which is the same size as a standard panel meter with full annunciator functionality, ideal for MCCs and RTU applications.
Omniflex
(031) 207 7466
[email protected]
www.omniflexdirect.com
Further reading:
ABB updates distributed control system
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange.
Read more...
Four ways modern operations control can boost sustainability and efficiency
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With the growing importance of digital transformation, HMIs and scada have evolved from control panels to vast operational hubs. Next-gen HMI/scada can bring together data, personalisation, and advanced insights to successfully achieve organisational goals, it is important to think about HMI/scada holistically within the operations ecosystem.
Read more...
The convergence of intelligence: DCS, SCADA and TLC
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the early days of industrialisation, control systems were primarily mechanical, and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops to manage processes. Now, in the 21st century, industrial process automation systems are mind-blowingly intelligent, and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making them integral to modern industrial systems.
Read more...
PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...
ABB modernises key board mill
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has secured a landmark contract to modernise Smurfit Kappa’s Paper Machine 5 at its corrugated cardboard mill near Mexico City. ABB will provide Smurfit Kappa with DCS, accompanied by a comprehensive paper machine drives system, encompassing some of the market’s most advanced drives and motors meticulously designed to optimise PM5’s performance.
Read more...
The synapses of the distributed control system
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Industrial operations require a distributed control system (DCS) to coordinate and control their process subsystems in real time. Like the brain, a DCS is a multitasking maestro, controlling and coordinating complex processes in a myriad of industrial setting such as large manufacturing plants, providing valuable top-down control.
Read more...
Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing
Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.
Read more...
Selecting the best remote access solution for your application
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, remote mobile access is a necessity for many industrial applications. There are several ways of implementing this connectivity with routers and virtual private networks.
Read more...
PLCs and PACs simplify data acquisition
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Data acquisition, data logging and data analysis are required functions for most modern industrial control systems. The simplest and lowest cost way to provide these functions is often by using the same platform providing real-time control, namely the PLC or the PAC.
Read more...
Small-scale custom development in the information age
H3iSquared
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the twenty-first century, the ability to put together custom electronic devices has become much more accessible to smaller companies, and even the private user. With the open nature of these platforms, potential developers can start learning systems easily, and do not need a massive capital output to do so.
Read more...
printer friendly version