ABB Ability System 800xA 6.1

ABB Ability System 800xA 6.1 provides significant innovations to the entire DCS architecture and introduces technologies that are said to shorten timescales for project execution, reduce the impact of late changes and enhance the scalability of the system, bringing value to capital projects. This is achieved by the introduction of Ethernet I/O solutions, additional High Integrity controllers and a series of engineering tools such as an Ethernet I/O Field Kit, an Ethernet I/O Wizard for field commissioning and the possibility to engineer with signals in the Control Builder.

The Select I/O is an Ethernet-based single-channel I/O that uses xStream engineering to reduce project delivery schedules. Independent teams can work in parallel and then bind together later. This reduces the impact of changes during the project, particularly late changes, and effectively reduces the commissioning time. Pre-tested, standardised cabinets can be wired directly to field devices and eliminate the needs for physical marshalling cabinets, reducing drawings, equipment and labour. Testing efforts and the hardware footprint are reduced as well.

Version 6.1 supports IEC 61850 Ed 2, which means that it is ready for modern digital solutions such as digital substations. System 800xA’s hardware is said to be equally effective for small hybrid systems as it is for large, high-availability, integrated automation applications. The modularity of the subsystem results in high return on assets by providing the flexibility to choose the specific functions necessary to meet actual requirements.