Product category:
Motors and Variable speed drives
News Release from: Control Techniques | Subject: LonWorks option
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 February 2008
Flexible drives now have LonWorks
communications
Control Techniques, part of Emerson Industrial Automation, has launched its 21st option module to provide the added functionality of LonWorks communications to their range of AC drives
This new LonWorks communication module will be a popular choice, particularly for heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications "This extends our technical lead in the intelligent drives market," says the Control Techniques Marketing Manager, Gareth Jones: "We already have about 50% of the world's market in intelligent drives and this new module reflects our continued development at the top end of the drives sector
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 13 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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We recognise that connectivity with LonWorks networks is crucial to our further growth in the HVAC sector and we now expect continued growth in this area".
This new module joins a huge range of plug-in modules that give the Control Techniques AC range its tremendous versatility.
Modules give connectivity to virtually all the major industrial networks, allow feedback from a large array of devices and add on-board intelligence that takes the drives well into what had formerly been regarded as PLC territory.
The LonWorks communications platform is for networking devices over media such as twisted pair, power-lines, fibre-optics and RF and is popular for the automation of various functions within buildings, such as lighting and HVAC.
LonWorks is a flexible and robust network that is optimised for non-time critical systems and is, essentially, a distributed control system with software tools for configuring and managing the network traffic.
The new option module, which simply plugs into the interior of the appropriate variable speed drives (taking up no additional cubicle space) is compatible with Control Techniques range of Commander SK, Affinity and Unidrive SP variable speed AC drives, which are becoming increasingly popular for energy-saving in heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications and for other building control systems including lift control.
"The LonWorks module will allow users to integrate the HVAC system right down to drive level," says Gareth Jones: "Now, using our AC drives with the LonWorks module, facilities managers can have central monitoring of all key drives parameters, with plenty of advance warning of any problems, such as impending motor failure, improving both the quality and reliability of air handling in the building".
The LonWorks modules are LonMark certified to provide instant access to any LonWorks network. Request a free brochure from Control Techniques ...
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