Feature

With Eaton’s new gateway, SmartWire-DT communicates with Sercos

Eaton is adding a new gateway to SmartWire-DT, the intelligent wiring and communication system, which enables machine and system builders to easily interface with Sercos III fieldbus systems.

24/03/2017 15:38:18

The EU5C-SWD-Sercos gateway is the latest product to result from the cooperation with Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation, a global manufacturer and service provider for communication solutions and automation based in Hattersheim, Germany.

With the introduction of the new gateway, SmartWire-DT supports not only the Profibus-DP, CANopen, Modbus-TCP, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Powerlink and EtherCAT fieldbus protocols, but also Sercos III. This protocol supports demanding industrial automation applications, such as packaging machines, where high performance and real-time capabilities are necessary.
Machine and system builders in these fields can now benefit from the advantages that the SmartWire-DT device-level based intelligent wiring system offers. These include significantly reduced wiring time as well as reduced engineering, commissioning and maintenance effort.

The portfolio of SmartWire-DT components ranges from pilot devices, contactors, motor starters, soft starters, variable speed starters and frequency inverters to circuit breakers and HMI/PLCs. For applications that involve digital and analogue process data outside the cabinet, Eaton offers IP67 I/O SmartWire-DT modules that connect single sensors in the machine periphery over a length of up to 600m.

The gateway transfers data from connected SmartWire-DT devices via the Sercos protocol to the installation’s PLC or other controller. It can transfer up to 1,000 bytes of input and output data, from a maximum, 99 devices in cyclical operation and also supports acyclical communication. As well as the 100 Mbit switch for Sercos communication, the gateway has a USB interface for routine diagnostics.

The gateway is configured in the same way as other Sercos devices by using a standard ESI description file that is incorporated in the programming system. Individual SmartWire-DT modules are selected and parameterised in the normal way.

For planning, configuring and commissioning SmartWire-DT networks, Eaton offers its SWD-Assist software. With the configuration tool, users can select any device in the system with just a few mouse clicks, and a software wizard is provided that enables the configuration to be checked quickly and easily.

All of the connected SmartWire-DT devices can be commissioned via the gateway’s diagnostic interface, which means that commissioning can be completed quickly and conveniently without the need to connect the PLC.

SmartWire-DT devices have CE, UL and CSA approvals, making them suitable for use worldwide.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.