Moeller PLC for wind-turbine control systems

Moeller Electric's XC-CPU101-FC modular programmable controller (PLC) has an integrated CANopen fibre-optic fieldbus interface.

The company said the PLC is designed for use in wind-turbine control systems and in other applications where reliable operation must be maintained, even when severe electromagnetic interference is present.

In addition to its use for connecting remote inputs and outputs, the fibre-optic interface in the XC-CPU101-FC PLC can also be used for programming purposes.

This makes it easy to implement interference-tolerant decentralised control systems, such as those commonly used in the nacelles (the structure that houses all of the generator components, gearbox, drive train, and so on) of wind turbines.

Featuring a compact construction, XC-CPU101-FC PLCs have a built-in real-time clock, and a slot that accepts standard multimedia memory (MMC) cards.

These cards provide a fast and easy way of loading application programs, recipe data and even operating system upgrades into the PLCs.

Moeller's new PLCs are equipped with eight digital inputs and six short-circuit proof outputs.

Four of the inputs can be used as interrupts to ensure an immediate response to events, irrespective of the PLC's cycle time.

Their modular design means that the PLCs can be expanded locally by the addition of up to 15 XIOC modules.

These are available in a range of digital and analogue I/O versions, as well as in versions to provide the PLC with additional communication functions.

High-density XIOC I/O modules for use with the new PLCs accommodate up to 32 I/O points in a width of 30mm.

Using these modules, the PLCs can be expanded to their maximum capacity of 494 digital I/O points, yet still require only 510mm of mounting space.

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