Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 2 / 11 1. General Device Information Characteristics Manufacturer R.Stahl Type 9415/00-310-42 Serial Number 10001109961-044 Device Revision: 1 Software Revision Device PA software Hardware Revision Device ID V1.02 Rev. A ITK 5.2.0 DD Revision 1 Device Description Source Available Device Descriptions Device Certified? Marking of the Device / Rating Plate Marking of Software on Rating Plate (NE53) Marking of Hardware on Rating Plate (NE53) Marking of Device ID Marking of Device Revision Marking of Serial Number Serial number is part of device ID "FISCO" Marking Functionalities Reg. Function Blocks Device Class Supported Methods Block Instantiation Enhanced DD 0001F40001 FBK 130507869 Fieldbus.org, IT077300 No No No DTM 1.0.0.309 1xRB, 9xTB, 10xDI Linkmaster No DD 07300.zip
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 3 / 11 2. General Examinations Test Setup PLS Yokogawa Centum VP Operating Program Yokogawa PRM R3.11 incl. DTM-Works Supply Device Stahl 9412/00-320-11 / Stahl 9412/00-310-11 Distribution Technology 2xStahl 9411/21 with 8 channels Participants 16 FF-H1 field devices of various models Communication Integration into the system No problems Interconnection of function blocks No problems Interoperability No problems Cyclic/Acyclic Reading device parameters No problems Writing device parameters No problems 2.1 Results Positives - Very clear representation of the values in connection with DTM. The overview windows are easily comprehensible for maintenance personnel with basic foundation fieldbus knowledge. Figure 1: Overview window of the diagnostics window of the DCM module with the analogue values of the redundant rack supply voltage.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 4 / 11 Figure 2: General segment overview. Figure 3: Segment overview: Overview of the connected field devices; grouping is done via the bus address.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 5 / 11 Figure 4: Detailed view of a segment: Complete overview of the physical layer data of the segment with graphical representation of the limit values. Possible errors in the segment are displayed as lamp symbols in the lower part. In case of error, these symbols are clearly marked in red. Figure 5: Example: Representation in case of error. The error is displayed with details ("Terminator Failure"= missing terminating resistance). The segment will also be marked with the status NE107 "Outside of specification". In this context, the max. level of the communication with ~1200 mv is outside of the specification.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 6 / 11 Figure 6: State of the 9412 supply modules in the rack. Among others, the redundancy state of the power supplies and whether the supply modules used are compatible on hardware and software level is indicated here. Figure 7: Detailed state of all connected field devices with the physical layer data of each individual field device. - The operating interface of the DCM with the standard FF device description offers a similarly clear overview and the indicated information is just as comprehensive. Therefore, even control systems without FDT/DTM interface can evaluate the complete diagnostics information. Some good states are displayed in the DD interface as if they were errors. Comment of the manufacturer: The representation of parameters in the EDD view heavily depends on the system. The best representation is available in the DTM.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 7 / 11 Figure 8: Representation of positive diagnostic messages in the Terminator Error window - NE107 works well in the Yokogawa PRM system. The used out-of-spec and maintenance are displayed in the maintenance view of the PRM. Unfortunately, the user-specific mapping of the DCM diagnostic messages to the 3 NE107 states is not available in the DTM. Figure 9: Representation of the NE107 messages in Yokogawa PRM - The name plates with the hardware and software revisions of individual components are not visible in their assembled state. They are, however, mentioned on the name plate in compliance with NE53. In the DTM, however, the information including the serial number is clearly visible. Figure 10: Representation of used hardware and software revisions.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 8 / 11 - Various measured values of the DCM can be displayed as a trend over up to 24 hours in the DTM (example: Figure 11). If required, users may use the available diagnostic function. The recorded data can be transferred to Excel via CSV export. - In addition to FF diagnostics via DCM 9415, there is a serial interface (DIAG) at the front of the power supply module 9412. This interface enables direct reading of all diagnostic measured values at the power supply using a PC with a terminal program or mobile devices. Negatives - The short circuit detection at the outputs of the used field barriers does not function despite clear pulse reaction by the output current. Comment of the manufacturer: This feature is planned (and already mentioned in the DTM) but has not been implemented yet. Will probably be done in 2015. Figure 11: Representation of the output current as a trend function of the DTM with short circuit on one track of the field barrier.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 9 / 11 - The user-specific mapping of the NE107 diagnostic messages is not available in the DTM. It is available in the FF raw parameters (Parameter Manager). The "Recommended Action" in case of an NE107 diagnosis is missing. Figure 12: NE107 factory mapping - In case the DCM module is accessed multiple times simultaneously, e.g. while writing into the function blocks, many windows with error messages appear. Every window has to be closed individually. - Some redundancy combinations of the 9412 power supply modules are reported by the system as "FPS Fail" instead of incompatible combination (example: HW:B / FW:1.03 and HW:B / FW:1.02). Areas for Improvement - The graphic representation of the electrical measured values is very good and readable without any problems. However, the indicator bar lacks something like a drag indicator function in order to make changes of the measured value visible over the observed timeframe. Comment of the manufacturer: Planned for a future release. Figure 13: Graphic representation of the measured values. - The points "Segment Overview" and "FF Device Overview" should be shifted to the first page of the respective submenus "Segment" and "FD" for better overview. One usually would expect these overviews there.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 10 / 11 Figure 14: Best overview window arrangement - The present values of the measured field device such as level or jitter should be entered in the "FF Device Overview" window. - In theory it is possible to connect 32 field devices to one foundation fieldbus segment. However, in practice the max. number is limited to 16. This ensures more overview in some display windows. Comment of the manufacturer: Planned for a future release. Requests from the User Perspective - The DCM offers some interesting secondary measured values such as the voltage value of the DC supply. These values can be used by the user for monitoring the direct current supplies in the installation. Unfortunately, the DCM does not offer any option to make the available measured values available to the user in a cyclic manner via AI function blocks. Comment of the manufacturer: Planned for a future release. Figure 15: Module carrier input voltages - It would be helpful for the user to have a log book e.g. in form of a ring memory storing the last received diagnostic messages with time stamp directly in the DCM. This is important as sporadic and briefly occurring diagnostic messages are only transmitted to the PLS as a cumulative malfunction via DI function block and acknowledge themselves. Comment of the manufacturer: Is planned but requires hardware changes in the DCM.
Device type: FF Diagnostics Module 9415 Page 11 / 11 - Counters that show the number of invalid/corrupted telegrams per segment would be desirable. Counter functions of "Live List Appearances" for every field device are also helpful. The user can diagnose possible device failures with this. Comment of the manufacturer: Planned for a future release. - The DCM can only be operated with the rack 9419. Unfortunately, this makes retrofitting the device to segments with other racks or mounting of power supplies on a top hat rail impossible. Conclusion: The foundation fieldbus diagnostic module 9415 consistently showed very good results in all tests. The device offers extensive functions for controlling the entire bus topology of FF H1 segments during start-up as well as during operation as per the requirements of NE123. Possible error messages can be reported via FF digital input blocks or via relay contact at the module carrier. As the FF specification FF 912 is supported, bus issues can also be routed directly to maintenance stations as NE107 diagnostic messages. The integrated FF participant in the diagnostic module can be added to any segment at the corresponding module carrier with a short bus cable. The representation of the electrical measured values within the DTM is very good and easily comprehensible. The configuration of the NE107 functionalities is missing in the DTM. Some additional information would be desirable from the user perspective such as AI blocks for analogue values or counters for device failures.