Distributed plant
Lines and multiple stations
Where safety functions span several stations and I/O sits away from the panel, distributed control avoids long safe wiring runs.
ConfirmConfirm station count and I/O distribution.
Automation system
PSS 4000
PSS 4000 is not a larger safety controller — it is an automation system in which safety and standard control are engineered together. Control functions are distributed across equal controllers on the Multi-Master principle, synchronised over real-time Ethernet, and programmed from one software platform.
Safety and automation mergedMulti-Master principleSafetyNET p real-time EthernetPAS4000 software platformPASvisu web visualisation
Multi-MasterDistributed control
SafetyNET pReal-time Ethernet
PAS4000One platform
PSS 4000PSSuniversal control system within the PSS 4000 range
One systemEntire automation technology
Multi-MasterEqual, linked controllers
SafetyNET pSafe communication
PASvisuWeb-based visualisation
Why it is specified
Distinguishes an automation system
The difference from a small controller is architectural: control functions are distributed across equal nodes rather than centralised in one device.
One system for automation technology
The manufacturer positions PSS 4000 as merging safety and automation rather than adding safety to a separate PLC.
Distributed on the Multi-Master principle
Several equal controllers are linked, and SafetyNET p exchanges data and states between them and synchronises them.
Central engineering
All network subscribers are programmed and configured centrally via the PAS4000 software platform.
Integrates with what exists
High flexibility due to modular system design, and the system can be integrated into existing automation structures.
Applications
PSS 4000 is used
The system suits plant where safety functions and standard control span several stations rather than sitting on one machine.
Engineering
One project across the network
All network subscribers are programmed and configured centrally, so the project stays coherent as the plant grows.
ConfirmConfirm who engineers and how versions are managed.
Visualisation
Project-wide monitoring
PASvisu provides web-based visualisation so the state of the project can be monitored however large it is.
ConfirmConfirm what must be visualised and by whom.
Technical data
Selection parameters that matter
PSS 4000 is specified as a system. These are its defining architectural characteristics rather than a device data sheet.
Because this is an automation system, the specification work is architectural: node count, distribution and the engineering model come before any part number.
| Concept | One system for the entire automation technology, merging safety and automation |
|---|---|
| Control distribution | Control functions distributed in accordance with the Multi-Master principle |
| Controller linking | Several equal controllers linked via real-time Ethernet SafetyNET p |
| Synchronisation | SafetyNET p exchanges data and states between the controllers and synchronises them |
| Safe communication | Safe communication via real-time Ethernet SafetyNET p |
| Engineering software | Simple programming and configuration using PAS4000 software |
| Visualisation | Web-based visualisation using PASvisu software |
| System design | High flexibility due to modular system design |
| Integration | Can be integrated into existing automation structures |
PSS 4000 and PNOZmulti 2 are not interchangeable. Where the safety functions belong to a single machine and do not need distributed control, a configurable small controller is normally the more proportionate choice.
Models
System elements
The system comprises control systems, I/O systems, the safe network and the software platform. Confirm the current module range against manufacturer documentation.
Control
PSSuniversal control systems
The controller elements of the system, applied as equal nodes under the Multi-Master principle.
- Principle
- Multi-Master
- Linking
- SafetyNET p
I/O
Distributed I/O systems
I/O placed where the field devices are, rather than pulled back to a central panel.
- Design
- Modular
- Placement
- Distributed
Network
SafetyNET p
Real-time Ethernet carrying safe communication, data exchange and synchronisation between controllers.
- Type
- Real-time Ethernet
- Role
- Safe communication
Software
PAS4000 and PASvisu
PAS4000 programs and configures all network subscribers centrally; PASvisu provides web-based visualisation.
- Engineering
- PAS4000
- Visualisation
- PASvisu
Accessories
Software platform and network
On a system of this kind the software and the network are not accessories — they are how the architecture is defined.
Engineering
PAS4000 software platform
Used to program and configure all network subscribers centrally, keeping one project across the plant.
ConfirmConfirm engineering responsibility and version control.
Visualisation
PASvisu
Web-based visualisation of the control project, so the state of the plant is visible however large the project is.
ConfirmConfirm what must be visualised and for whom.
Network
SafetyNET p
The real-time Ethernet carrying safe communication between controllers, and synchronising their states.
ConfirmConfirm topology, node count and network design.
Before quotation
Application review
The first decision is whether the application genuinely needs a distributed automation system rather than a configurable small controller.
Scope and scale
- Number of stations and how far apart they are
- Whether safety functions span stations or stay local
- Whether standard control is to be merged with safety
- Existing automation structures the system must join
Control architecture
- Number of controllers and how they should be distributed
- Which functions belong on which node
- I/O distribution and distance from the controllers
- Required network topology
Engineering and software
- Who programs and configures the system
- Whether PASvisu visualisation is required
- Version control and project archiving
- Commissioning and validation evidence expected
Lifecycle
- Expected plant lifetime and change frequency
- Spares strategy across distributed nodes
- Maintenance responsibility and competence
- Training requirement for the engineering platform
Related technologies
PSS 4000 sits in the architecture
This is the plant-scale option. Where the requirement is one machine with several interacting safety functions, PNOZmulti 2 usually remains the proportionate answer.
PNOZmulti 2 for single machines
Distributed safe I/O systems
SafetyNET p between controllers
PAS4000 engineering platform
PASvisu visualisation
Field devices across all areas