Distributed Focussed Availability

Distributed and Redundant Systems Architectures

Any automation system component may fail, usually at an inconvenient time. Whenever a failure happens, some part of the operation will be affected.  What and for how long depends on the way in which the automation system is arranged.  This post covers two methods of arrangement.  Distributed on the one hand, where the automation functionality required for different parts of the plant is distributed with the plant. Redundant on the other hand, which centralizes functionality and provides high availability through the provision of a duplicate backup system. Invensys provides both redundant and distributed RTU types to cover many different forms of remote automation architecture.

Close the terminal cover door click, please.

This morning I am traveling to Melbourne Australia for a few days. While there I will be talking to one or two of end users about design - electro mechanical design, of our SCD5200 IO terminal assembly. The unique SCD5200 design has been stable since it's introduction 10 years ago, thereby begging a 'why change it ?' from our team as well as our end users.

SCD5200 remote terminal units are compact with a reasonably high density hard wired IO. The mix of IO type {Discrete,Analog} and DC/AC voltage levels {24,48,129} provides convenience but needs special design consideration.

The potential design change, would be based on a requirement to increase the insulation thickness of the end user wiring connecting to the assembly. No it's not about increased voltage levels, nor about an increase in accuracy, not current rating nor actual wire cross section.