With the Active Field Distributor Simatic AFDiSD which features extended fieldbus diagnostics, Siemens is the first supplier to offer fully integrated and extended fieldbus diagnostics for PROFIBUS PA in the process control system Simatic PCS 7. The fieldbus can be installed swiftly and reliably using the commissioning wizard. The resulting commissioning report serves as proof of quality for the fieldbus installation.

Users can access the latest, comprehensive information about the "health status" of their fieldbus installation such as power, voltage and bus interruptions via the Simatic PCS 7 operator station in real-time. This enables them to identify potential disruptions early on, to initiate counter-measures in good time, thereby enhancing system availability. The extended fieldbus diagnostics with Simatic AFDiSD is based on monitoring of the bus physics (physical layer information). Information such as current and voltage level is recorded and visualized.

This makes it possible, for instance, to easily identify faulty or unconnected field devices, to determine the exact location of bus interruptions and, if necessary, to repair them remotely. It is also possible to identify any changes in current without requiring additional third-party hardware or software tools. This simplifies both the commissioning and maintenance of fieldbus systems and enables the availability of fieldbus installations and systems to be significantly increased.

– Edited from a Siemens press release by CFE Media

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