Ethernet communications system reduces energy consumption in multiple areas

SERCOS Energy defines parameters and commands for the reduction of energy consumption in a uniform vendor-independent manner.

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The SERCOS vendor organizations have released the energy profile specification for the SERCOS III Real-time Ethernet Communications System.

SERCOS Energy reduces energy consumption in three areas. First, the permanent load at motor/machine standstill is reduced; second, the consumption depending on the process is dynamically adjusted considering the target completion times/dates (partial load operation); and third, energy is saved during processing by switching off components that are not required at a particular time or point in the process (partial machine operation).

SERCOS Energy is an application layer profile that defines parameters and commands for the reduction of energy consumption in a uniform vendor-independent manner. The control reads out parameters of each SERCOS Energy component via the SERCOS III network, receiving status information and detailed consumption values. Depending on the situation (e.g., scheduled or unscheduled breaks, machine components not needed in the current production process) the control can switch connected components (drives, I/O, sensors) into energy-saving conditions up to complete shut-down, considerably reducing their energy consumption.

An 8-page whitepaper describing SERCOS Energy can be downloaded.

www.sercos.com

SERCOS

- Edited by Amanda McLeman, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com