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ProcessMaster, ABB’s next-generation electromagnetic flowmeters, are now available with Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer) connectivity, allowing for high-speed transmission of field data. The new ProcessMaster flowmeters offer possibilities for simplified connectivity and high-speed collection and analysis of a wealth of process and diagnostic data in chemical factories, oil & gas operations, power plants, and the water industry. The release follows the launch last year of its Ethernet-APL-enabled SwirlMaster and VortexMaster flowmeters.
With the ability to measure flow in any process application, the ProcessMaster with Ethernet-APL supports the production process and opens new possibilities for process engineers and plant managers. The new capabilities support real-time decision-making and predictive maintenance based on real-time data, significantly reducing errors and downtime.
Ethernet is the most common communication technology in industrial applications. However, in most process industries, its use has remained minimal due to concerns about safety, cost, and limitations on cable length, which have made it difficult to establish communication networks in large industrial facilities. These issues were addressed with the introduction of Ethernet-APL, which was created through the successful cooperation of 12 major industry suppliers of process automation, including ABB, and four international standard organizations.
Ethernet-APL offers enhanced data rates of up to 10 Mbps, a shielded two-wire connection for carrying power and data safely over the same cable, and cable lengths of up to 1,000 meters. Intrinsic safety is also fully integrated, including a profile that limits supply voltage and current to eliminate the risk of sparking, enabling Ethernet-APL to be deployed in hazardous environments.
By providing a high-speed channel for process data as well as configuration and diagnostic information, Ethernet-APL offers a readily scalable solution for connecting devices in the field to a control system. It enables simplified networking with all instruments in the plant as well as opens new opportunities for process optimization by utilizing valuable data that was previously locked away. The devices have an integrated web server and support various protocols such as Profinet and Modbus TCP.
Find out more about the Market for Industrial Flowmeters.
