There are many manufacturers of Programmable Logic Controllers
that are used in the Automation industry.
One of the leading PLC manufacturers in the world is ABB.
ABB offers a full line of industrial PLC controllers and safety PLC controllers
with a wide range of I/O cards, interfaces, and modules.
The AC500 PLC is a scalable platform
that provides options for small to very large automation systems.
The standard AC500 PLC is offered in models
ranging from 128 kilobytes of memory for small applications
to models with 160 megabytes of memory for larger applications.
Each model can accept several different Terminal Units
which can provide interfaces for communication and various I/O modules.
The I/O modules available include AC and DC digital input and output modules
and voltage and current analog input and output modules.
Special Terminal Units are used when hot swapping of I/O modules is required.
A large number of communication interfaces are available for AC500 PLCs.
Each CPU has the capability for up to four interfaces to integrate into the CPU module.
Additionally, up to four slots are available for additional communication modules.
Supported modules include Ethernet, EtherCAT, Profinet, Profibus DP,
CANopen, DeviceNet, Serial, Modbus TCP, as well as others.
All modules are equipped with standard connection ports
based on the interface and terminals for wired connections.
Other AC500 PLC models provide specialized functionality,
such as the AC500-eCo, which is a small, compact PLC
with a small number of I/O integrated into the processor module.
The AC500-HA family of PLCs
provides hardware redundancy through the use of redundant bus connections
and a synchronization cable.
The AC500-S PLC platform
provides an integrated safety system
featuring safety-rated controllers and I/O cards.
The AC500-XC controller
is used in areas where extreme environmental conditions are likely to exist.
All AC500 are programmed using the “ABB Automation Builder” software.
Three versions are available:
Basic, which is a free version for basic system engineering tasks,
Standard, and Premium.
The Standard version is intended for integrated system engineering
with additional support for communication interfaces.
The Premium version extends the Standard version
by adding productivity and collaborative features,
such as change management tools,
Python scripting, and Open Device integration.
ABB Automation Builder is an integrated software package
that allows configuration and programming of PLC controllers,
safety controllers, I/O, motor drives, motion control,
ABB CP600 HMI panels, and SCADA functionality,
such as data archiving and process alarming.
For larger systems, Automation Builder includes a multi program download tool
that allows program downloads to multiple PLCs from a single setup.
Additional software modules available for Automation Builder
include several very useful applications that are often used in automation systems.
The AC500 OPC Server application
allows data in AC500 devices
to be shared with other applications and servers,
including data historians and 3rd Party PLCs,
such as Siemens S7 PLCs or Rockwell Logix PLCs.
The Virtual Commissioning Platform add-on application
allows testing of the software program independent of the hardware.
Virtual devices are used to emulate the real hardware,
so field signals and communication between devices can be simulated.
The speed of the Virtual Controller execution can be sped up,
slowed down, or frozen so that logic states can be inspected.
ABB AC500 PLCs are typically programmed using Continuous Function Charts,
an advanced type of function block, and structured text.
Support for the other IEC 61131-3 standard languages
such as Ladder Logic, Sequential Function Charts,
and Instruction List is also provided.
Standard libraries, objects, and connectivity tools
help the automation engineer integrate the various devices and applications
that are required for a complex system.
Automation Builder can be installed on Windows 7,
Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2012.
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