Nearly a decade ago, Siemens introduced SIMOCODE-DP, replacing the need for space-eating, high-density relay panels with a microprocessor-based motor management system that communicates over Profibus-DP. It revolutionised traditional motor control center (MCC) structure by combining the circuit overload protection and control, which were formerly separate entities, as well as integrating communications capability all in one convenient package. A lot of things have changed since then; SIMOCODE has capitalised on all the latest technologies to not only keep pace, but also drive new innovations. That led to the introduction of the SIMOCODE pro motor management system less than two years ago. With its basic SIMOCODE pro C system for routine applications and its SIMOCODE pro V system for more complex applications requiring the ultimate in flexibility and functionality, Siemens moved motor management capability to a new level. Siemens is demonstrating its innovative leadership by introducing further enhancements to its SIMOCODE pro V system.
Before discussing these enhancements in detail, a quick review is given to understand the SIMOCODE concept and SIMOCODE pro features, particularly to those not fully familiar with SIMOCODE.
SIMOCODE Basics
SIMOCODE offers considerable savings in both space and installation time requirements. SIMOCODE eliminates the large amount of wiring that used to be required between the MCCs and the I/O cabinets. This is because the SIMOCODE modules have their own on-board I/O and the I/O cabinets have been replaced with individual points in each MCC module.
“Integration between the automation system of a process and its control system has become much easier,” says Siemens Low-Voltage Controls & Distribution Product Manager, Robert Geppert,.
“With SIMOCODE, the system installer needs only to pull a single Profibus-DP cable to the MCC to provide the communications connectivity. Combined with the robust nature of the RS-485 network, the startup and commissioning have been greatly simplified.
“But it doesn’t stop there. As only one motor management tool needs to be utilised for each load, except for variable frequency drives, engineers save time on programming the logic into the automation system”, he said.
In many ways, the SIMOCODE pro motor management system emulates a “mini-PLC” by giving the programmer an ample amount of simple local logic in the SIMOCODE base unit. This built-in local logic can be used to configure basic discrete function control and other more powerful analog logic functionality. In fact, with SIMOCODE ES Professional, each check box in the configuration tool can represent twenty-five lines of ladder logic that do not have to be programmed at the actual controller level. This helps to dramatically reduce the overall engineering time for a project, and takes burden and overhead off the PLC/DCS system.
Another powerful feature of SIMOCODE is the amount of information that can be monitored, collected and communicated. Traditional I/O solutions were very limited, but with SIMOCODE, a high degree of detail on status and performance of each motor load is now possible. This includes measured values like actual motor current, motor voltage, loss of load CosΦ, RTD temperatures and even analogue input mA values. With the system’s simple-to-read display, these values can be displayed as well as service and statistical data such as number of starts, number of stops, motor run time and number of overload trips. Because of the SIMOCODE pro large itemised binary status reporting capability, it is possible to give details on faults, warnings, motor direction, phase status, overload status, hardware problems and even reporting an open circuit event on one of the analogue inputs. All this information gives the end-user the ability to troubleshoot a motor load failure before the failure actually occurs.
An additional very important feature is the fail-safe security of built-in redundancy. Although this is usually done at the distributed control system (DCS) level with dual processors, dual code and dual networks, SIMOCODE pro gives the end-users the ability to do cellular process control should there be an automation system or network failure. At the occurrence of such an event, SIMOCODE pro takes over its single function until the automation system gets back online. Component level redundancy for certain applications is already a standard practice; however it requires engineering time and integration of many discrete devices. Now SIMOCODE pro gives a more elegant bump-less transfer of control by maintaining the portions of the process that must continue throughout interruptions and it works immediately out of the box.
SIMOCODE pro Enhancements
Siemens SIMOCODE pro V has been equipped with even more features. The new enhanced version includes a LCD text display operating panel (OP), which has 20 pre-defined display profiles, a graphic LCD for indication of measured values, status and diagnostic information. There are four freely assignable buttons and LEDs, four menu and scroll buttons and three status LEDs. There are also sheets of pre-punched legend strips that can be customised using a conventional computer printer. It also includes a new decoupling module (DCM) for measuring voltage in ungrounded systems.
In addition, Siemens has extended the overload protection to a higher amperage level and added scaling capability, as well as increasing the system’s reporting features. Now standard interposing current transformers for each of the three phases can be used in conjunction with the Siemens CT modules, which gives the new enhanced SIMOCODE pro V the ability to handle and fully protect up to 8kA on the primary side. The SIMOCODE ES professional software can scale the primary-to-secondary ratios while maintaining very accurate thermal overload curves for these larger amperage loads. Reporting power consumption is also available. The enhanced version can now integrate the KW over time to report measured power usage in kilowatt-hours (KWh). There is also an online strip chart viewing functionality built into the system software. Up to five strip charts can be included in the same y-t diagram that is displayed. Values are made available with the SIMOCODE ES professional software.
The new enhanced SIMOCODE pro V also boasts arithmetic function blocks so that any analogue value can be adjusted and or converted to another analogue value. This makes common process requirements such as converting Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C) or converting % of current ratio for the set current (ls) to full load current in amps (A) very easy as it is managed at the system’s component level and not the higher controller level.
The enhanced version is suitable for all S7-300/400 PLCs with net routing capability and can be integrated as an S7-slave (OM object in HW). When using a 3TK safety relay in combination with SIMOCODE pro C & V, it is now available for Safety Category 2 and 4 with monitored start, and it is suitable for DOL, Reversing, star/delta, pole changing, and Dahlander starting.
For more information or enquiries relating to this media release, please use the contacts box below.