- Continuous monitoring of PROFIBUS with ProfiTrace and oscilloscope. - Modular rack-mounted PROFIBUS repeater with "HOT SWAP feature", i.e., handling with the system under power.
Transparent ProfiHUB repeater system: Repeaters, Fiber Optics, RS485-IS (Intrinsic Safe), DP slave and more...
COMbricks system features:
Expandable up to 32 modules; up to 10 high-speed modules.
Wide range of different modules available.
Powerful integrated web server.
ProfiTrace OE for monitoring 4 networks.
35 mm DIN rail mounting.
IP20 protection.
ProfiTrace OE allows access to and monitoring of remote Profibus installations using a simple web browser (Firefox 2.0, IE 6.0, Chrome 1.0, Safari 3.0, Opera 8.0).
Continuous and simultaneous monitoring of one, two, or up to four different Profibus or MPI bus networks is one of COMbricks' powerful features. COMbricks technology enables the execution of large-scale, global projects and overcomes the shortage of qualified personnel in this technology. COMbricks offers a remote monitoring solution for PROFIBUS installations via the internet, with alerts for negative trends and error notifications sent to the user via email and SMS.
A powerful web server with ProfiTrace functionality displays the information in an easily understandable format (ProfiTrace OE). Thanks to this powerful web server, only a standard web browser is needed to access and view the data. No additional software is required, nor is a constant connection to a PC at the COMbricks.
Monitoring, capturing, and recording events (diagnostic information) is performed by repeater modules inserted into the rack. COMbricks is the first system to integrate the bus monitor into the network components. Implementing COMbricks for automation means automatic availability of information and diagnostics via the ProfiTrace OE web server.
With a simple configuration, ProfiTrace OE can generate email alerts providing real-time notifications of events and faults in the PROFIBUS installation. This allows for immediate action, without delay, in response to any event or fault in the PROFIBUS installation.
A new feature in ProfiTrace OE is device location detection (Figure 2). This provides a detailed view of which cable segment the repeater devices are installed on.
Typical applications of Combricks
Typical applications of the COMbricks system include:
Remote installations.
Inaccessible installations.
Long-duration commissioning.
For high-availability networks.
Hard-to-reach robotic cells.
Traffic control installations.
Water treatment.
Marine installations.
Test cycles.
24/7 service contracts.
The current trend in PROFIBUS projects is the use of segmentation with repeaters, fiber optics and ProfiHubs, to overcome common problems regarding their cabling difficulties.
COMbricks adds another important element: The random creation of modular repeater hubs that can be remotely maintained with the ProfiTrace OE.
COMbricks is based on a rack that allows up to 10 repeater modules with two channels each (Figure 3). These 20 channels allow for 20 galvanically isolated cable segments.
Each Profibus cable segment can carry up to 31 Profibus devices and a maximum cable length of up to 1200 m, depending on the transmission speed.
The technology in the "Redundant" option of Profibus repeater modules is very advanced. A redundant Profibus system can be built with up to 10 redundant Profibus cables (Figure 4). This architecture provides very high Profibus availability. Most vendors only allow a maximum of two cables.
Advanced Applications of COMbricks
Among the advanced applications that can be implemented with the COMbricks system are the following:
Repeaters with permanent ProfiTrace.
Star, tree, and bus topology networks.
Redundancy for high availability.
Branch lines.
Variable speed drives and motors.
Motor control centers.
EMC-sensitive applications.
Isolator for sensitive devices.
COMbricks is distributed in Spain by the company ER-Soft, SA
