Securing cellular modems in industrial applications
17 February, 2022 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdThe traditional cellular network exposes your devices directly to the public internet, and all the risks that are incurred with that access.
Measurement data on the lookout for artificial intelligence
02 November, 2018 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdNetworked intelligence is the key to taking the process industries to the next level.
Maximising monitoring: three key ways to improve profitability
17 July, 2018 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdEnergy monitoring is generally sold as a money-saving technology, but when properly utilised it can provide insights to improve a plant's overall efficiency in other areas.
Steam generation with 2-in-1 relay modules
20 August, 2013 | Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd
The production of agricultural and industrial chemicals frequently involves the use of steam-powered plants, and pure water is needed to generate the steam for such plants. SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz uses Phoenix Contact coupling relays to control their generators as they require less space in the control cabinet.
Oil refinery well isolated
16 April, 2013 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdAs part of ongoing plant upgrades, Oil Refinery Oberrhein (MiRO) has recently introduced a new automation solution in its blending plant.
Building a bridge to safety: automation safety over a non-safe industrial network
26 March, 2013 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdSafety in today’s market has come a long way from the simple, single-function safety relays of the past. Now engineers are left to question which is best for the efficient implementation of the prevailing safety requirements in their process: programmable, network-enabled safety controllers or spatially limited, configurable safety relays?
Expanding plant networks with WirelessHART
26 February, 2013 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdWith process instruments getting ‘smarter’ every year, their capabilities are often underutilised. Important data that could help save costs remains unused. This potential can be tapped by using WirelessHART.
Take advantage of communication opportunities provided by HART signals: consistent information flow increases availability
04 September, 2012 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdEvery manufacturer and user active in the area of process engineering is familiar with the HART protocol but experience has shown that the procedure is commonly known but rarely used.
Network security for automated production
20 August, 2012 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdZF Sachs, with 16,500 employees, has been a renowned partner in the automotive industry for more than 100 years. The traditional office network security solution, using VLANs, was rejected by ZF Sachs as being unsuitable in the harsh environment of the plant floor.
Single loop integrity: replacing devices while operational
16 March, 2012 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdCompared with parallel wiring, fieldbus systems have a negative impact on the availability of process-related plants and systems. This is because users have to isolate the entire bus segment from the network in order to, say, replace a defective component.
Wireless communication in track-guided transport systems
14 February, 2012 | Phoenix Contact Pty LtdTrack-guided transport systems have been used in highly automated production environments for some time now. Whether in automobile production, automation of material flow or warehouse logistics, rail-based mobile units transport the required parts in all of these areas. Normally, communication to the mobile units is established using contact lines and mechanical contacts.
Post-Stuxnet industrial security
17 August, 2011 | Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd
By now, Stuxnet has become well known as the computer malware worm that allegedly infected Iranian organisations in 2010, most notably those plants alleged to be used for uranium enrichment. But regardless of its original purpose, Stuxnet now proves that insufficient IT security opens automation networks to a clear and present threat.
Machine safety design
16 April, 2011 | Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd
There comes a point in machine safety design when the designer needs to decide if it makes more sense to use multiple safety relays or to upgrade to a safety controller.
OLD Machine safety design
18 March, 2011 | Phoenix Contact Pty Ltd
There comes a point in machine safety design when the designer needs to decide if it makes more sense to use multiple safety relays or to upgrade to a safety controller. This point typically occurs when the application requires three or more safety relays. This article focuses on some of the issues that designers must consider when determining whether a safety relay or a safety controller is the best solution for a particular job.
