Profinet extension for electric actuators

Louise Davis

Profinet standard gives the actuator manufacturer a second industrial Ethernet-based networking option alongside Modbus TCP/IP

A new interface for AC.2 actuator controls now allows AUMA actuators to be integrated into Profinet networks. The increasingly popular Profinet standard gives the actuator manufacturer a second industrial Ethernet-based networking option alongside Modbus TCP/IP.

The new interface meets the requirements of Profinet specification 2.3 and supports Conformance Class B (CC-B). Rates of up to 100Mbit/s are possible. Implementation into line and loop topologies is facilitated by the integrated switch function. Loop topologies additionally provide redundancy via the Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP). Physical connection is made via field-assembled RJ45 connectors.

AUMA actuators with a Profinet interface integrate smoothly into network infrastructures: commissioning, handling of actuators and fault diagnostics are easy and convenient, thanks to features including automatic address assignment. Actuators can be identified and addressed by device name from any point on the network. An integrated web server allows swift and easy performance of connection tests, status requests and fault diagnostics at any time. All operation commands and feedback signals offered by the Profibus DP protocol are available to AC actuator controls thanks to the standardised device description (GSDML).

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