Report from Hannover: Phoenix Contact shows new networking, safety relay, junction box

The new Phoenix Contact Ethernet Port Adapter FL WLAN EPA integrates automation devices to wireless WLAN 802.11b/g networks.

Hannover, Germany – (April 20, 2009) At Hannover Fair, April 20-24, 2009, Phoenix Contact featured an array of automation-related technologies available to its global customer base. Recent releases of particular relevance to the North American audience include the following. MGuard routers feature router, firewall, and VPN gateway technology in one unit. The routers are said to provide for highly secure remote machine service that can be turned on or off by machine operators via a physical key lock device. Access to the MGuard router takes place over Internet browsers and requires no proprietary software. The router is also said to be compatible with any industrial Ethernet protocol. The new Ethernet Port Adapter FL WLAN EPA integrates automation devices to wireless WLAN 802.11b/g networks. The Ethernet Port Adapter can be connected as an industrial WLAN client module directly to the Ethernet port of an automation device (and can accommodate any Ethernet protocol). The compact IP65-rated enclosure is equipped with a circularly polarized antenna, which allows for stable wireless communications in harsh, highly metallic industrial environments. Phoenix Contact supports the Trusted Wireless standard for its WLAN products, enabling wireless connections of up to several kilometers.

The Phoenix Contact SR Trisafe relay is a new configurable safety module.

New GSM modems from Phoenix Contact make use of the worldwide GSM cellular network in conjunction with Internet technology to provide secure connections to distant industrial Ethernet networks. In addition to on-demand GSM dial-up connections for remote servicing of machines and systems, this modem can also be used to establish TCP/IP-based GPRS connections. Since GPRS and Edge are billed by data volume and not connection time, this is a cost-attractive option in applications where data has to be captured continuously. (Note: Edge technology offers faster data transmission rates than GSM—up to 210 kBit/s). Password-protected dial-up, IPsec encryption, and an integrated firewall offer a high degree of data security. Six integrated switch inputs can be used to send alarm messages as SMS text messages or e-mails in remote monitoring applications. The PSR Trisafe relay is a new configurable safety module. Safety circuits in machines and plants—from emergency stops to safety door monitoring— can be monitored using this single intrinsically safe switching device. Measuring 67.5 mm wide, this relay can be used to monitor up to 20 incoming safety signals. It also provides four intrinsically safe outputs as well as outputs for clock signals, alarms, and ground switches. The safety logic can be customized using drag-and-drop functionality in the graphical configuration software Safeconf.

Not yet available in the U.S., Phoenix Contact has developed a new junction box for use in the manufacture of solar panels.

Though not yet available in the U.S., Phoenix Contact has developed a new junction box for use in the manufacture of solar panels. In solar panels, electrical connections in photovoltaic components are established using a junction box. The PV-JB 2.5/2-20 junction box (available in an IP65-rated enclosure) can be positioned by a robot above the contact ribbons and pressed down into place with one motion to establish the required contacts. Typically complex movements performed manually to connect junction boxes to solar panels are not necessary with the JB2.5/2-20 junction box. The junction box can make contact with two ribbons 4 mm wide and 0.3 mm thick. Since both the design and the materials in use comply with VDE 0126, this box conforms to current photovoltaic standards. Cables with external diameters ranging from 5.4 t0 5.9 mm can be connected to the junction box.For more information, visit www.phoenixcontact.com . Also see Phoenix Contact video from Hannover Fair . Control Engineering editorial director David Greenfield, Consulting-Specifying Engineer editor Michael Ivanovich, and Plant Engineering editor Bob Vavra will be reporting from Hannover Messe this week on the new ideas and new technologies from the 2009 event, below.

Monday – Flying penguin, innovations, efficiency – Phoenix Contact shows new networking, safety relay, junction box – Report from Hannover: Daily Innovation Focus Tuesday – Wind in the sails for Hermes Award winner – Looking for an attendance bump at Hannover Fair – Voice of youth at Hannover Fair Wednesday – Buzzwords include ‘Pleasantly surprised’ – Product focus is on innovation, energy, says Siemens executive – Daily Innovation Focus: sensors, Ethernet switches, safety, controllers – World Energy Dialogue says lead environmentally to succeed Thursday – New SEW system designer packages, stainless steel gear motor Friday – New Beckhoff automation hardware, software – Daily Innovation Focus: explosion-proof sensors, efficiency certification

– Edited by David Greenfield , editorial director Control Engineering News Desk Register here .

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