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ISA automation professionals explain key considerations for using variable frequency drives.

The shaft speed of a motor is directly proportional to the frequency and is inversely proportional to the number of poles.

An actuator is a device that applies the force necessary to cause a valve's closure member to move.

Understanding and reducing noise from control valves is an important consideration for the process industries, especially those close to residential areas.

By Guido Beckmann The Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) protocol enables safety-relevant data transmission, in parallel to standard data on the same network. FSoE is a technology certified by TÜV, developed according to IEC 61508, and internationally standardized in adherence to IEC 61784-3. The protocol can be used in applications requiring a Safety Integrity level as high as SIL3.

By EtherCAT Technology Group In Part 1, the Working Counter was described as a mechanism for EtherCAT master devices to cyclic-synchronously monitor slave behavior. Part 2 covers further diagnostic mechanisms that allow master devices to precisely detect the location and cause of error conditions both at the hardware and at the application level of a slave.

By EtherCAT Technology Group EtherCAT provides a powerful diagnostic mechanism that can be used by master applications to monitor the network status synchronously with the communication cycle. Master applications such as PLC programs can therefore react immediately to any error condition within the network with a simple evaluation of the Working Counter in the application software.

By Rainer Schmidt, Harting PROFINET is an independent, proprietary system, which is primarily used for communication between PROFINET components. If PROFINET wants to seamlessly communicate right into the SAP level, it runs into the structured cabling which the IT infrastructure of the company uses.

By John Lewis, Cognex The need to use PCs to interface with vision systems and ID readers required the purchase of expensive hardware and development of sometimes complex software. A new generation of vision systems and ID readers with built-in EtherNet/IP connectivity streamlines factory network integration.

By Jim O’Callaghan, EnOcean Energy harvesting wireless technology stems from a simple observation – where sensor data resides, sufficient ambient energy exists to power sensors and radio communications. Harvestable energy sources include: motion, indoor light and temperature differentials.

The kit has a PIC32 microcontroller (MCU), HCI-based Bluetooth radio, and everything that a designer needs for rapid prototype and development of Bluetooth SPP designs.

Valve position control can be implemented in a matter of hours to start optimizing the efficiency or capacity of a unit operation.

Several different on/off actuator designs are available today. Some employ a scotch yoke mechanism, others use a rack and pinion, Plant experience suggests that the diminutive piston o-ring design can

What are the failsafe positions for a valve?

As pressure increases (controlled variable), the valve output would increase to open the valve in order to relieve the pressure.

Readback control of valve position compensates for a host of unknowns in connection with valve response but a positioner, like a controller, must be tuned.

Where possible, use a diaphragm actuator sized to meet at least 150% of the maximum thrust or torque requirement.

What are the factors that affect VFD rangeability?

Learn how to use key PID features that can greatly expand what you can achieve. Includes innovative application examples for feedforward and rate limiting.

Control valves often determine the capability of the control system. Poorly sized and selected control valves will make tight control impossible regardless of the control strategy or tuning employed.