What the heck is IO-Link?

  

What is IO-Link? 

If you haven't heard about this technology, you will!  It is currently being used in Europe, and coming to North American Automation Distributors.  IO-Link began in 2010 and its organization is comprised of leading Automation providers determined to provide a full range of sensor, actuator, and controller technology in support of a new concept.  IO-Link is a neutral interface and is fieldbus independent. This technology is used in automation systems below the IO (PLC or Remote I/O) level for individual linking of field devices (sensors/actuators).

So what, you're probably thinking? Well, some of the benefits of IO-Link are the reduction of wiring, labor, PLC I/O and inventory.  Since IO-Link is physically comprised of a 3-conductor design, sensors, including analog versions, will only require 3-conductors.  Additionally, diagnostic information is reported on the device's condition.  The diagram below shows the pin-out description.

Pin 1 - 24VDC+, Pin 2-open, Pin 3-DC-, Pin 4-IO Link data or SIO (standard I/O mode) **note PNP outputs only**

The IO-Link Master will coordinate the sensing device's value with a register in the fieldbus controller (PLC or remote I/O node).  If you decide to replace an IO-Link sensor with a standard PNP sensor, it will operate with no problems.  However, automatic ID and other communication functions will not be available. Once a replacement IO-Link device is installed, the Master will recognize and report the data to the control system.

Speaking with a group of our automation specialists, we brought up a few of the following points:

• Is the IO-Link organization designing something that isn't needed?
• Are we saving I/O points on remote I/O or PLC nodes (since we have to use a Master in place of the I/O module)?
• Will the extra cost of IO-Link devices be worth their benefit?
• Will IO-Link users need to configure a sensing device remotely?
• If IO-Link is so great, why isn't it being accepted quicker?

IO-Link FAQ, answers some of these...

At Standard Electric Supply Co, we represent the following IO-Link providers: Lutze, Pepperl+Fuchs, Schneider Electric, Sick, Siemens & Wago

For additional details on architecture, please refer to IO-Link's website: IO-link.com

IO-Link Members:

Please contact Standard Electric Supply Co for additional information at www.standardelectricsupply.com

On-Line Motor Insulation Testing

Motor Protection for "High Value" Process / Motor Applications

• Do you care about the winding insulation status of your motors?
• Would it be beneficial to have a “real-time” winding insulation monitor to continuously check the status of your motor or generator windings?
• Do you perform preventative maintenance on motors or generators?
• Are you concerned with ARC Flash requirements, related to motor maintenance?

If you answered yes to any of the above, Meg-Alert has the products you seek! Meg-Alert manufactures the MotorGuard and GenGuard patented testing and protection systems designed to detect insulation breakdown in critical motors and generators. The system senses when the motor or generator is offline and then performs a continuous dielectric test on the winding insulation until the equipment is started again. When an abnormal condition is detected, the equipment can be locked out and a warning signal sent, indicating that the motor or generator needs maintenance. The testing is done with a current limited non-destructive DC voltage from 500 - 5000 VDC, which is safe for both personnel and the equipment. By automatically testing offline equipment, customers can now predict and prevent impending failures, reduce unscheduled downtime repairs, and increase plant safety by not exposing maintenance personnel to dangerous Arc Flash conditions experienced when performing manual testing.

Automation makes it practical and affordable to keep your motors in proper running condition. The use of the Meg-Alert products can dramatically increase plant productivity by reducing downtime and improving safety conditions if done correctly. The windings are the key indicators of degradation and potential failure. If you have a properly mounted, balanced, grounded, and lubricated motor, you can probably rule out bearing failure, leaving the windings as the weak link. So, insulation resistance testing can give you a real key in predicting motor failure.  There is little doubt that insulation testing is valuable, but using them can be difficult and time consuming. If you utilize "Automatic offline insulation testing", it can provide you with real-time winding conditions before starting, which is the most intense part of motor operation, and the point when a motor is most likely to fail. When the motor stops operating, the Meg-Alert device applies a test voltage signal to the windings and measures any leakage current to ground.  The device, usually coupled to a meg-ohm meter or analog signal device will alert you when the insulation resistance drops below an acceptable level. The Meg-Alert device can lockout the motor controller to disable the motor starting, thus preventing the motor from starting and causing a failure.  After you correct the winding insulation problems, you can reset the system and return the motor to normal operation. In addition, Standard Electric Supply Co can assist you in getting your motor status by e-mail, SMS message or other notifications.

Please read this article by Rick Zelm, President of Meg-Alert, Inc.: PEM Magazine

Also, check out Meg-Alert's web site for more information: www.megalert.com or visit our web site www.standardelectricsupply.com

eWON Industrial Remote Connectivity

Frequently Asked Questions about eWON and Remote Access

What is the eWON?
eWON is a remote access router/gateway that is used with a web server (Talk2M), designed for OEM’s to connect to user machines via the Internet. This hosted application acts as a secure broker and relays the communications originated by the OEM to the user’s site via an encrypted VPN tunnel. It is designed for and intended to be used in the industrial automation sector.

What is VPN and tunneling?
VPN (virtual private network) and tunneling are techniques that allow encrypted data links between your location and another (remote) computer. Tunneling encapsulates a specific stream of data within an encrypted protocol, making everything that travels through the tunnel unreadable to anyone along the transmission path.  Using a VPN or other form of tunneling to encrypt data is a good way to ensure that data will not be seen by anyone other than you and people you trust.

What do I need at the machine site in order to use the Talk2M system?

All that is required is an Internet connection via your LAN (Local Area Network). Your LAN (connected to the WAN port of the eWON) should have permission to allow users to browse the Internet. The eWON uses this LAN to connect to the Talk2M server. The eWON needs the same type of settings as a PC connected to the same network (IP address, subnet mask and gateway, plus any optional proxy settings). The eWON is a DHCP client, so it can be, and typically is setup by the OEM, to be assigned a LAN IP address automatically. Unlike other VPN access schemes, the eWON needs NO SPECIAL PORTS OR FIREWALL SETTINGS to work. The assigned IP actual address is not restricted in range, nor does not even need to be known.

What if I cannot use DHCP Addressing?

The eWON can be set up to use a STATIC IP address that is assigned and controlled by the IT department. Also as previously noted, the eWON can work with most proxy servers, if required.

The Talk2M service is hosted on the Internet. Can anyone in the world can access the machine in my factory?

NO! Each eWON connected to your machine connects exclusively to the Talk2M server. An authentication mechanism ensures that each eWON talks only to the Talk2M server, and only those authorized users that have the same 32 character encryption key. This ensures that an authorized user can only communicate with a specific eWON. All data exchanged via the Talk2M server and the Internet is encrypted, so the data remains secure.

The eWON is connected to my LAN. This means the OEM can see my entire network?

NOT TRUE! Each eWON is a router/gateway device that only allows traffic to the machine side (sub-net LAN) or the area enclosed in green with the four (4) ports. The WAN side of the eWON only connects exclusively to the Talk2M server.

What does my IT department need to do to use the eWON?
Typically nothing! Talk2M tunnels are initiated by the eWON and use only outgoing connections. No incoming connections are made (in other words, the Talk2M server does not initiate tunnels), so no ports need to be enabled in your corporate firewall for incoming connections. In addition, Talk2M is designed to be minimally intrusive. This means that it uses the outgoing ports that are already enabled, which are usually the HTTP port (80) and the related secure HTTPS port (443) or UDP port 1194.

A Talk2M tunnel can be configured to be always on. This means that the machine builder can access the PLC and make changes without my knowledge?
It is possible to configure the eWON with a switch connected to the eWON digital input so the VPN connection can be enabled or disabled. A digital output is also available to control a relay that can be used to physically decouple the Ethernet port from the corporate network. Also, if a static IP is assigned, it can be controlled by the IT department. Lastly, unplugging the WAN port denies all remote access.

You can discover more about eWON by contacting Standard Electric Supply Co (servicing Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana) at 800-776-822 www.standardelectricsupply.com or www.ewon.us