The Plantguard Controller
Plantguard is highly compact - 240 fault tolerant TMR I/O points with Modbus communications in a single 6U chassis. At the heart of each Plantguard system is the controller chassis housing the TMR processor, its companion slot for bumpless changeout to a spare and 8 interface slots. The interface slots accept I/O modules, communications modules or interface modules to expanders.
The Plantguard Expander
Up to seven I/O expanders, each housing up to 12 I/O slots may be located up to 10 km from the controller chassis, connected by separate 250 Mbit high speed triplicated fibre optic links.
Save on cost
We have taken great care to make the Plantguard product easy to use and easy to integrate into wider control schemes. So easy in fact, that using Plantguard, you can now have the true fault tolerance of TMR at the same or lower overall cost than redundant PLC's. And that's not just purchase price; because Plantguard TMR is packaged to make it easier to use, lifetime cost of ownership is significantly lower than alternative schemes.
I/O Modules
A wide range of dedicated modules for both analog and digital, plus a unique "Universal I/O" module that allows you to mix signal types on the same module, gives maximum flexibility to closely match the application requirements. All modules have full stuck on/stuck off testing, configurable line monitoring and indication LEDs per channel. I/O configuration is easily set in software with the loop parameters set by link configuration on the termination assembly.
Connectivity
Plantguard communicates with other Plantguard systems, PC based graphics, PLCs and host DCSs using Ethernet and TCP/IP, leveraging commercially available Ethernet hardware and software tools to build fault tolerant Ethernet LANs. Plantguard also uses OPC (Object linking and embedding for Process Control) to give drag and drop connectivity to any OPC client with network redundancy managed by the OPC server software.
Power Supplies
Plantguard can be powered directly from a single or dual conditioned 24 VDC supply, or from AC sources using the 19" by 6U Plantguard modular power supply to provide redundant power feeds in blocks of 250 Watts. Supply configuration can be either 100% redundant or n+1.
Integration Tools
The familiar tools in the Plantguard IEC 1131 Compliant Toolset allow you to define up to 250 individual programs with the flexibility to mix safety related programs and continous process programs in the same Plantguard fault tolerant system. The IEC 1131 Toolset has comprehensive simulation, de-bugging and cross-checking tools to help you implement the application safely.
Integration Hardware
A comprehensive range of I/O termination panels, power distribution units, prewired cable harnesses and many other integration aids make building and integrating a Plantguard system quick and simple.
Plantguard is approved to TUV AK6, the highest possible rating for programmable safety systems, and also carries approvals for NFPA 72 and Gosstandart of Russia.