New fieldbus options provide drives’ users with fast, accurate control of processes as well as access to large amounts of data on how the process is behaving, say ABB. Its latest variable-speed drives offer two option slots for fieldbus modules. These modules can be of different types, allowing, for example, a PROFIBUS module and an Ethernet module to be run at the same time.
 
This dual system also allows for a more robust system design. Users can connect the drives to any industrial network by installing an option module. As well as the ability to use PROFIBUS-DP, ABB say its latest drives can connect to Modbus, CanOpen, DeviceNet, EtherCat and PowerLink. Future plans will also see the drive able to operate with LonWorks and ControlNet.
 
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