EC: Modicon M580 ePAC

Machine & Embedded Control — PACs, IPCs: The M580 ePac is a revolutionary automation controller that uses open Ethernet standards to enable a new level of process efficiency and flexibility and providing the highest level of cybersecurity through its Achilles Level 2 Certification. This is a Control Engineering 2015 Engineers’ Choice award winner.

By Control Engineering October 20, 2014

The new Modicon M580 Ethernet PAC (ePAC) is a revolutionary automation controller that uses open Ethernet standards to enable a new level of process efficiency and flexibility, while ensuring the highest level of cybersecurity through its Achilles Level 2 Certification. The M580 ePAC gives industrial plant operators the power to design, implement, and run a process that actively employs the benefits of open networking, helping customers:

  • Access consistent and accurate data for timely decisions
  • Reduce downtime with detailed insight into alarms and events
  • Rapidly diagnose and identify root causes of issues
  • Make informed decisions about plant operations and energy management.

The Achilles Level 2 Certification is the most advanced PAC ever provided by Schneider Electric in terms of cybersecurity, due to the fact that the system is tested according to Ethernet services and protocols such as ARP, ICMP, TCP, IP, and more. Firmware integrity is checked at every start-up and is compiled and stored in-memory, preventing its decompilation by a third party.

Upgrading to the M580 ePAC is possible without additional investment in wiring, software development, or training and users can easily switch between the different controller sizes in the Modicon range without changing their I/O racks and cabling.

The Modicon M580 ePAC has been built for PlantStruxure, which is a collaborative and integrated automation architecture from Schneider Electric. PlantStruxure brings together the telemetry, PLC/SCADA, and DCS offerings with complete lifecycle services to help make operations more efficient. From initial design to modernization, PlantStruxure transparently connects the control, operation and enterprise levels of the business.

Schneider Electric

www.schneider-electric.com