GuardPLC Safety Control Systems Overview
GuardPLC™ Safety Control Systems
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System Overview
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The GuardPLC system is a state-of-the-art safety system offering fast safety PLCs, optimum controller throughput, and a reliable safety network.
The GuardPLC system meets the worldwide standard for programmable controls, complying with many of the latest global safety standards and the worldwide standard for functional safety in programmable electronic systems. The GuardPLC system can be used without restriction in applications up to Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3) according to IEC 61508 and PLe/Category 4, according to ISO 13849-1.
The GuardPLC system consists of four main components:
- Packaged controller and associated integrated I/O
- Safety Communication via GuardPLC Ethernet networks
- Distributed I/O modules for GuardPLC Ethernet networks
- Programming and configuration software
Benefits
Benefits resulting from the use of safety PLCs and safety networks include:
- Greater integration and flexibility of machine controls.
- Capability for better and easier diagnostics when intelligence is provided to the standard control level
- Faster and easier maintenance
- Reduction in the cost of installation, commissioning, and reconfiguring
- Reduction in design and hardware costs, compared to using safety relays alone for logic
- Potential for throughput performance improvement in more complex systems
GuardPLC Safety Control Systems
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| GuardPLC 1600 Controller | GuardPLC 1800 Controller | Distributed Safety I/O for GuardPLC Ethernet | |
| Description | A cost-effective safety PLC offering a built-in 4-port Ethernet switch, digital I/O, and flexible communication options for connecting devices. | Analog inputs and high-speed counters allow the GuardPLC 1800 to sense temperature, pressure, speed, and motion. | Distributed safety I/O blocks provide exceptional flexibility in configuring the right mix of I/O in the right place. |
| Memory | • 250kB user program • 250kB application data |
• 250kB user program • 250kB application data |
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| Digital I/O | • 20 inputs • 8 outputs |
• 24 inputs • 8 outputs |
• 16 inputs only • 16 outputs only • 8 inputs and 8 outputs • 16 inputs and 8 outputs • 20 inputs and 8 outputs |
| Other I/O | — | • 8 analog inputs • 2 high-speed counters |
• 8 analog inputs • 8 relay outputs |
| Embedded Ethernet | 4-port switch | 4-port switch | 2-port switch |
| Other Communications | • EtherNet/IP • GuardPLC Ethernet • Modbus RTU Slave or PROFIBUS DP Slave • ASCII (RS-485) |
• EtherNet/IP • GuardPLC Ethernet • Modbus RTU Slave or PROFIBUS DP Slave • ASCII (RS-485) |
• GuardPLC Ethernet |
| Programming Software | All GuardPLC controllers are programmed with RSLogix Guard PLUS! Programming Software. | ||
Communication
GuardPLC safety controllers communicate on a Safe Ethernet communications network called GuardPLC Ethernet. The network is certified by TÜV for use in safety applications up to SIL 3 and PLe/Category 4, and can be used for distributed safety I/O and peer-to-peer communications between GuardPLC controllers, as well as programming using RSLogix Guard PLUS! software. And because it’s Ethernet, you use standard category 5 cables, switches and routers.
Using GuardPLC distributed I/O, you can place your safety I/O where your safety field devices are located, reducing wiring costs. Peer-to-peer communications allow GuardPLC controllers running their own programs to interlock with each other for applications that need to link one manufacturing cell to others.
NetLinx Integration
The ever-increasing demand for both enhanced plant productivity and improved workplace safety has fueled a trend toward integrated safety control and standard control systems. Control system users now expect their safety systems to possess all of the efficiencies and conveniences of their standard controls. Today's modern manufacturing plants will not accept safety systems that compromise productivity. Both machine builders and end users expect that the cost of implementing and maintaining a safety system will continue to drop without reducing the level of protection to the user.
The first level of integrating your GuardPLC controller into your standard control system is at the information network level. The GuardPLC 1600 and 1800 controllers let you to accomplish this easily with embedded EtherNet/IP protocol. Able to run EtherNet/IP protocol at the same time as safety-rated GuardPLC Ethernet protocol, the GuardPLC controller uses EtherNet/IP protocol to communicate status about the safety control system to other standard devices such as PLCs (ControlLogix®, FlexLogix™, CompactLogix™, SLC™ 500 or PLC-5®), HMIs (PanelView™, PanelView Plus, VersaView®) and others. The GuardPLC controller can even control standard I/O, like Flex I/O and POINT I/O, on an EtherNet/IP network. This capability lets you integrate your GuardPLC on the EtherNet/IP network already running in your plant.
GuardPLC Typical Configuration
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