Electrical Ground Rules Best Practices

Why is Circuit Grounding Important?

This whitepaper is Part 1 of a three-part Grounding Electrical Equipment Best Practices series that looks at grounding and its role in protecting personnel, and equipment, and ensuring the integrity of electrical signals. In this part, we will review circuit grounding and its importance to you, as well as the US AC power system and its use of earth ground.

Download PDF white paper here

Topics include the following electrical ground rules principles:

1. What is Ground?
2. The Importance of Ground
3. AC Powered Systems
4. The Ground Loop

Firstly, the two principal purposes of connecting your system to earth ground:

1. Stabilize the voltage to the earth during normal operation (think of the earth as an anchor to the system voltage)
2. Limit the voltage rise created by lightning, line surges, and unintentional contact with higher voltages

Secondly, the three main purposes for correctly applying ground:

1. Safety: connect to the ground to provide an alternative path for fault current to flow
2. Limit Voltage and its Variation: connect signals to the ground to stabilize them & keep them from floating
3. Limit the Induced Voltage Magnitude: connect to the ground to limit the voltage rise induced on powered circuits

To, another very important side-benefit to providing a good connection to earth ground: grounding our circuits to gain electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) benefits that result in lower noise and radiated emissions.

How do ground fault circuit interrupters work?

This Electrical Ground Rules white paper is Part 2 of a three-part series that takes a look at grounding and its role in protecting personnel and equipment and ensuring the integrity of electrical signals. In this part, we will examine our use of the ground to protect from ground faults, and how ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices operate to protect us from severe shock. We also answer the below questions:

1. What does wired earth growly protect you from?
2. Does it protect you from electrocution?
3. What if your appliance does not include a connection to earth ground and you become the path of least resistance for some sort of ground fault?

We begin with a discussion on the use of the ground to protect from ground faults. Additionally, we cover how ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices operate to protect us from severe shock.

What is the role of the ground as a voltage stabilizer and transient limiter?

This Electrical Ground Rules whitepaper is Part 3 of a three-part series that takes a look at grounding and its role in protecting personnel and equipment and ensuring the integrity of electrical signals. Consideration of ground can be very complex and application specific. However, in many of these applications, there are a few rules of thumb that are helpful when we make wired connections to ground and electrical equipment. This whitepaper not only looks at ground and its role as a voltage stabilizer and transient limiter; it also offers tips on how to improve your connection to the ground and realize benefits to safety and signal integrity.

This Whitepaper Examines:

1. Ground and its role as a voltage stabilizer
2. Ground as a transient limiter
3. Improving your connection to ground
4. Basic ground rules for wired equipment

Download PDF white paper here

 (Courtesy of Acromag)

Emerson’s Next-generation Machine Visualization Solution Differentiates OEM Systems, Improves User Operations

PACSystems RXi HMI delivers visualization for the digital age: intuitive graphics, smartphone-like usability, collaboration from anywhere, and industrial ruggedness

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Machine builders in any industrial application can now use Emerson’s PACSystems™ RXi HMI, a next-generation machine visualization solution designed to help set their systems apart for customers. The new system easily helps users overcome the limitations of lower budgets, fewer people, and higher productivity demands. This highly intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) addresses the needs of today’s industrial workforce with easy-to-use, smartphone-like graphical displays without sacrificing rugged, industrial performance.

Unlike traditional resistive displays, PACSystems RXi HMI is designed with projective capacitive touchscreen technology that allows users to interact with the visual display with 10-point multitouch capabilities like swipe, pinch or zoom to move to the next screen or expand a chart, enabling easy operation by a wide range of personnel with varying levels of training and experience.

PACSystems RXi HMI comes pre-loaded and pre-licensed with the advanced Movicon™ WebHMI software, so the device is conveniently ready to operate out of the box, saving the customer time. PACSystems RXi HMI is HTML5-ready which allows users to collaborate from anywhere so that the operations, management, and maintenance teams can all view the same screen at the same time, no matter the distance. This immediate sharing of information and access to expertise reduces maintenance costs and improves productivity.

In addition, customers will value faster access to data-based operational insights to maximize overall equipment effectiveness. The PACSystems RXi HMI, with Movicon WebHMI at its core, is IIoT-ready for data analysis, troubleshooting, and diagnostics, placing the operational insights customers need at their fingertips. A data trending tool provides a clear snapshot of productivity and quality. The SQLite database tool and PAC analyzer help users troubleshoot problems and minimize downtime. In addition, it provides extensive protocol support with OPC UA for better data contextualization and MQTT for easy cloud connectivity, so the solution goes far beyond visualization.

“Machine builders and OEMs are no longer ‘one and done’ suppliers to their customers. Today, they become long-term collaborators by developing new and better ways to solve customer problems,” said Jeff Householder, president of Emerson’s machine automation solutions business. “The new PACSystems RXi HMI is an easy, cost-effective way to add significant customer value to a system by enabling new levels of ease of use, increasing productivity, speeding communications, improving analytics and business intelligence capabilities, and easing the move into IIoT. In every way, the RXi HMI is built for real industrial environments as well as the next generation of industrial workers.”

PACSystems RXi HMI protects against both physical and digital risks. It offers protection in wet applications with certifications for both high-pressure water jets and marine use with an IP66 water resistance rating, as well as being approved for use in a wide range of temperatures from minus 20 to 65 degrees Celsius. In addition, the device is resistant to chemicals, impact, scratches, and dust. It is also designed in accordance with IEC 62443 Global Automation Cybersecurity Standards to support end users’ overall digital security strategy.

Check the original article here.

More information on PACSystems RXi HMI is available at: https://www.emerson.com/IndustrialDisplays.

Media:
• Contacts: Emerson Automation Solutions Global Media Contacts

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About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and software company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. A leader in industrial automation, Emerson helps process, hybrid, and discrete manufacturers optimize operations, protect personnel, reduce emissions and achieve their sustainability goals through its Automation Solutions and AspenTech businesses. Emerson’s Commercial & Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information, visit Emerson.com.

ABB’s high-precision CoriolisMaster flowmeter now certified for custody transfer

• Thanks to its high accuracy, ABB’s flowmeter has met international standards approval and can now be used for key custody transfer transactions
• The CoriolisMaster’s smaller footprint, heightened communication abilities, and remote verification capabilities ensure the precise measurements essential for custody transfer
• The new certification completes ABB’s fiscal metering offering providing unmatched precision to protect the interests of both buyer and seller across the custody transfer process

ABB’s CoriolisMaster flowmeter has received recognition for its high levels of accuracy, gaining custody transfer standards approval. The flowmeter now offers a new custody transfer application approved under OIML R 117-1 and Wellmec standards and certified for the European Measuring Instruments Directive  MID[1]

Accuracy and reliable measurement are paramount in the transfer of expensive commodities such as oil and gas. Custody transfer is a highly regulated area which falls under both international standards and regional regulations.

The CoriolisMaster certification complements ABB’s Flow-X series of flow computers, single hardware, and software solution that connects to flowmeters, and to temperature, pressure, and density transmitters as well as chromatographs to calculate the volume at standard conditions, mass, and energy following international standards. The Flow-X aims for the highest precision to protect the interest of buyer and seller. Its analog inputs have an unmatched accuracy of 0.008 percent over a wide ambient temperature range.

“This certification places ABB at the forefront of custody transfer measurement,” said Frank Frenzel, Global Product Line Manager, ABB Process Flowmeters. “We have seen significant growth in this area in recent years, with increased demand for our Flow-X computers, and customers asking for a complete fiscal metering offering. Our CoriolisMaster has never been faster or more precise in its measurements.

The certification confirms that it is ideally placed to meet customers’ need for precise measurement, joining the Flow-X computer for unrivalled accuracy in custody transfer applications around the globe.”

With its distinctive lean design, the ABB’s CoriolisMaster has a small footprint which reduces on-site handling, commissioning, and costs by being easy to install and using less pipeline than has been traditionally required. Extensive communication capabilities provide real-time data insights for instant action, and the inclusion of the ABB Ability™ Verification for measurement devices solution allows the performance of the meter to be verified at any stage either in-situ or remotely.

Even the smallest imprecision in custody transfer can lead to big financial losses, so the high accuracy of the CoriolisMaster makes it ideal for liquid mass flow measurement. With repeatability, an equally important element, the stability of ABB’s CoriolisMaster in maintaining calibration across its lifecycle is an essential element. The flowmeter also eliminates the need for an additional inline density meter, making it invaluable for product quality assurance purposes, by providing direct density measurement and improving the measurement of liquid and gas flow composition.

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification, and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine,  and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team, and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation, and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

[1] The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is a worldwide, intergovernmental organization whose primary aim is to harmonize the regulations and metrological controls applied by the national metrological services, or related organizations, of its Member States.

Check the original article here.

(Courtesy of ABB)

Why Connectivity is the New Safety Normal

We live in a connected world.

The IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) has forever changed how we do things by making ordinary devices intelligent, and everyday tasks more efficient.

From the smartphones in our pockets to the smart doorbells on our porches, smart technology is becoming a ubiquitous solution across a growing number of markets. Yet, despite these amazing capabilities, which have enabled greater productivity and conveniences, the world of safety lagged… but not anymore.

Fire service, oil & gas, utilities, and industrial organizations have made the smart move towards a more connected world. And they’ve done so for one simple reason:

The Connectivity Advantage: Visibility

The pre-connectivity safety statistics are staggering. There are nearly 3 million annual injuries in the workplace, costing companies some $171 billion in lost productivity, wages, and medical expenses. Even worse? Some 80-90% of these injuries are caused by human error. While nobody can claim that smart technology is 100% perfect every time, these technologies are proving their capabilities of reducing the potential for human error.

With remote access, automated alarms, and immediate data visualization, a connected Safety Program is simply unmatched by human capabilities. Instead, a connected Safety Program with a 360-degree connection between workers, worksites, and workflows empowers safety-focused organizations with more and better ways to help reduce risk.

Connected and Protected

Information is fundamental when it comes to averting crises and responding to emergencies. Without knowledge, crucial questions remain unanswered like What’s happening? Where is it happening? Is this a true emergency or is it a false alarm? Do we need to investigate or evacuate? For Safety Managers, the tension lies between knowing that something is going on and not knowing exactly what. Yet without connectivity, it happens all the time.

Fortunately, connectivity is becoming the great equalizer. It allows any authorized person located remotely to participate in value-added, time-saving, safety-promoting activities, including:

Adaptable, Proactive Safety Programs

Worker safety is crucial, and so is saving time and money. By adopting IIoT smart-enabled technologies, organizations can optimize operations and improve predictive maintenance.

With connectivity, Safety Managers get a much-needed insight – insight that can be the driving force behind analytical, life-saving decision-making. Without insight, Safety Managers are hard pressed to adequately troubleshoot a problem, overcome challenges, and protect workers from harm.

Connectivity helps accelerate functions, enhance processes, and expand the reach of the Safety Program. The resulting data is both reliable and actionable. The work environment is safer and more efficient. And profitability needs are better aligned with safety goals.

Secure connectivity, done correctly, can give Safety Managers peace of mind and free them up to focus on the bigger goals of the overall Safety Program.

Enabling Autonomous Operation

Disparate devices are a fact of life in the world of safety. However, a connected Safety Program helps to solve the problem of transforming a disparate network of devices and varying data streams into a single, more manageable system with smart, simple connections among devices, data sources, and decision-makers.

For example, oil & gas, wastewater, and alternative fuel companies that are operating from multiple locations, including offshore and remote, face unique challenges. The biggest challenges outside of market volatility are workforce shortages and operational resiliency. The insufficiency of an available skilled labor force often serves as the impetus for seeking alternatives to relying on human capital. For many, this means adopting technological innovations – namely IIoT solutions – that enable autonomous operation.

The Significance of Remote Notifications

IIoT is key to shifting toward more autonomous operations that are both smarter and safer. The combination of advanced fixed gas and flame detectors (FGFD) with remote monitoring capabilities empowers organizations with instantaneous insights that keep production going and workers protected.

For example, MSA FieldServer partners with O&G companies to quickly and reliably provide analytics data, diagnostics, and updates via the FieldServer FGFD ProtoAir wireless gateway and MSA’s IIoT Cloud Platform or other third-party cloud solutions.

In addition to automatically uploading calibration changes and firmware updates, this type of IIoT solution answers these questions:

How do we inform the right people at the right time about a potentially wrong situation when no one is on-site to assist? How do we do it affordably and reliably?

The “how” for the MSA FieldServer FGFD ProtoAir wireless gateway is by remotely delivering alarms, alerts, updates, reminders, and other notifications to relevant personnel independent of network or internet availability so that decision-makers can remotely:

The Rewards of Connectivity

• There are numerous productivity and cost advantages of implementing IIoT solutions, including:
• Saves time and expenses related to manning remote locations and deploying personnel for on-site inspection
• Minimizes downtime, including production shutdowns resulting from the need for in-person investigations
• Helps to improve safety by providing visibility into potentially hazardous situations
• Enhances communication, alerting key stakeholders in real-time about alarms, threats, and other perilous circumstances
• Provides critical and more accurate insight, so that assets remain operational and decision-makers stay informed

Connectivity Challenges

While there are a tremendous number of benefits to smart technologies and connectivity, they are not impervious to the risk of IIoT security breaches. These can include a wide range of unauthorized activities from illegally obtaining sensitive data like worker location to hacking into a network system. Fortunately, connectivity risks can be managed and thwarted with the right know-how.

Here’s a high-level look at what you should know to help prevent your connected Safety Program from being at risk of disruption and destruction by cybercriminals:

• Employ industry-standard password policies and require user verification
• Require annual penetration and vulnerability testing on devices, applications, infrastructure, and APIs
• Restrict network and data access with encryption and Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels
• Limit usage to authorized users with an advanced set of encryption and logging features
• Implement a comprehensive incident response plan

There are additional questions to ask your solutions provider. MSA can help you gain a better understanding of cybersecurity as it relates to a connected solution.

Conclusion

When it comes to monitoring and managing worker and workplace safety, it’s imperative to remove clear and present dangers and obstacles. An IIoT solution like the FieldServer FGFD ProtoAir effectively eliminates the “Who do we call?” and “What do we do now?” questions from the operational equation.

Whether paired with MSA Modbus and BACnet FGFD devices or devices from other manufacturers, the FieldServer FGFD ProtoAir enables remote monitoring, control, SMS or email alarm notifications, and data visualization, and supports all major cellular networks.

Most importantly, it allows safety professionals to leverage connected technologies for a more proactive safety culture.

(Courtesy of MSA Safety)

New Ethernet I/O Offers Peer-to-Peer and Multicast Messaging

Enhanced i2o Peer-to-peer Input to Output Messaging

Acromag’s NT Ethernet Series features i2o® peer-to-peer and multicast technology. This provides the easiest way to link your inputs to your outputs without a PLC, PC or master CPU.

Ethernet-based Configuration

NTE Ethernet I/O modules have a built-in web server for convenient configuration without installing any software.

i2o Advantages

• Node to node – no host or master controller required
• Compatible with other Acromag Ethernet I/O series
• Easier peer-to-peer setup of multiple or sequential channels

Multicast Advantages

• Multicast communication capability
• One-to-many group messaging – no host or master controller required
• Multicast listening – receive from target IP address
• Multicast sending – transmit to target IP address

i2o and Multicast Applications

• SCADA systems
• Front-end solutions for PLC, RTU, recorders, displays and DCS that don’t have network communication available
• Data acquisition systems
• Alarm Systems
• Remote switching systems
• Signal splitter applications
• Tank level monitoring or pump controls
• Power/status monitoring through AC currents or contacts
• Load shedding applications 

Because We Know I/O

Doing business with Acromag means you can count on receiving dependable value when using our products. Acromag guarantees to meet or exceed published product performance specifications and offers you exceptional personal service with a real person within one business day.

(Courtesy of Acromag)

Acromag’s Ethernet Remote I/O Modules Add EtherNet/IP Communication

 Ethernet expandable I/O modules now offer field-selectable EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP/IP networking protocol.

Acromag’s new BusWorks® NT series remote I/O modules are now enhanced with EtherNet/IP support. Ethernet industrial protocol, EtherNet/IP, is traditional Ethernet combined with an industrial application layer protocol targeted to industrial automation. These high-performance Ethernet I/O modules include remote monitoring and control, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, building HVAC energy consumption, and more.

These modules were tested at an ODVA, Open DeviceNet Vendors Association, vendor-independent Test Service Provider, and received an ODVA Declaration of Conformity. This organization confirms interoperability across vendors and systems.

NTE Ethernet I/O models have dual RJ45 ports and a webserver with Modbus TCP/IP and Ethernet/IP communication to monitor or control the internal I/O channels. An integrated DIN rail bus allows connections of up to three NTX expansion I/O modules. Each I/O module adds up to 16 input or output signals allowing a mix of voltage, current, temperature, TTL, and relay control signals networked on one IP address. The space-saving design requires only 25mm of DIN rail per module. Ethernet I/O modules distribute 9-32V DC power along the DIN rail bus to expansion modules. Hazardous location approvals, high noise immunity, and -40 to 70°C operation make this I/O ideal for use in harsh environments.

“NT Series Ethernet I/O modules are user-configurable for Ethernet/IP or Modbus/TCP, offering a convenient solution for engineers with multi-protocol control systems,” states Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s Business Development Manager.

The NT2000 Series offers a broad variety of I/O signal processing options. Nine I/O configurations are available as either NTE Ethernet I/O or NTX expansion I/O models. Analog I/O models feature eight differential or sixteen single-ended inputs for monitoring current or voltage signals. Discrete I/O models provide 16 tandem input/output channels with either active high/low input or sinking/sourcing output. A six-channel mechanical relay output model is also available. For temperature monitoring, a thermocouple input model supports many sensor types and also millivolt ranges. More models will release over the coming months for additional I/O functions.

Profinet communication is planned for release soon. Each module will support all three protocols which are selectable using any web browser to configure the network settings and I/O operation. The modules typically function as a network slave, but also offer Acromag’s i2o® peer-to-peer communication technology to transfer data between modules directly without a host or master in between. Multicast capability is included.

(Courtesy of Acromag)

Introducing the EDS-(G)4000 Managed Switches That Strengthen Your Network Resilience

The EDS-4000/G4000 Series industrial-managed Ethernet switches represent a new chapter in industrial networking. With a reliable, easy-to-use design and heightened security features, these managed switches strengthen your network resilience to tackle common networking challenges.

Why Moxa EDS-(G)4000 Industrial Managed Switches?

 Secure Network Connectivity

• The World's 1st IEC 62443 certified networking devices by IECEE
• Hardened devices with embedded security functions

Easy Management and Maintenance

• The intuitive interface of MX-NOS and MXview simplifies network operations
• Modular power design simplifies installation and maintenance

Robust Design for Harsh Environments

• Multiple certifications for the railway, marine, power, ITS, and similar applications
• Robust power design including isolated redundant power inputs

High‑performance Capabilities

• 2.5 GbE bandwidth for highly efficient Ethernet networks
• 90 Watts IEEE 802.3bt PoE enables power-intensive applications
• Intelligently integrated with smart fiber/PoE management features for remote diagnostics

Networking Evolved Moxa EDS-(G)4000 Industrial Managed Switches

For more details visit: Moxa Inc. | Networking Evolved

(Courtesy of MOXA)