In recent years, networking and wiring solutions for field-mounted devices in automation systems have changed beyond recognition and it would be easy to assume that there's little room for further developments. This is far from true, says Tim Dodd of ifm electronic, who argues that the latest solutions offer important and valuable benefits. Not so many years ago, sensors and actuators in automation systems were invariably connected individually to a central control panel, sometimes directly and sometimes via local terminal boxes. As a result, a lot of field wiring was using many expensive cable and terminals. Not only were systems of this type difficult to install, but sorting out the wiring errors that inevitably occurred often extended the commissioning time for the new plant by days or even weeks.
展开▼
