FieldConnex® Basic Segment Coupler
Product Specifications
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Product Specifications
2.1
Overview and Application
The Fuchs basic Segment Coupler is intended to transparently couple a
PROFIBUS PA segment to PROFIBUS DP. Due to the transparent coupling, PROFIBUS PA
devices are represented as devices that are directly connected to a PROFIBUS DP segment.
The Segment Coupler supports auto-detected PROFIBUS DP baud rates of up to 1.5 MB/s. An
integrated PROFIBUS DP terminator can be activated by a switch.
The integrated fieldbus power supply provides power for connected PROFIBUS PA field
devices.
The Segment Coupler may be installed in Zone 2 or Class I, Division 2 hazardous areas. Types
of protection are:
■
Zone 2, gas groups IIA, IIB, IIC: Ex ec (increased safety)
■
Class I, Division 2, gas groups A, B, C, and D: non-incendive
The Segment Coupler feeds PROFIBUS PA segments following the high-power trunk concept
for explosion protection. Device couplers such as FieldBarriers or Segment Protectors feed
high-power levels to field devices via the trunk.
The basic Segment Coupler is intended to be used as a replacement of the Segment
Coupler SK1 KFD2–BR–1.PA.93.
Compatibility with Predecessor KFD2-BR-1.PA.93
The device is intended to replace the Segment Coupler SK1 KFD2–BR-1.PA.93. The
KFD2–BR–1.PA.1500 now supports standard PROFIBUS DP baud rates of up to 1.5 MB/s and
no longer uses the optional RS–485 signals CNTR-P, DGND, and VP. Implementing the
successor does not require the adjustment of the protocol timing of the master. The pinout of
the connectors is identical. The power consumption of the KFD2–BR–1.PA.1500 is lower
compared to its predecessor.
Functional Description
The basic Segment Coupler is a compact DIN mounting rail-mounted device supporting
1 powered PROFIBUS PA segment for up to 31 PROFIBUS PA devices. The Segment Coupler
simultaneously performs the following tasks:
■
Transparent coupling of 1 PROFIBUS PA segment with 1 PROFIBUS DP segment
■
Power supply to the PROFIBUS PA field devices
Segment Coupling
PROFIBUS DP (DP) and PROFIBUS PA (PA) use similar protocols. Data sent via DP or PA
networks is essentially interpreted the same way.
The physical layer used to transfer data is different. The PA protocol supplies both power and
data via the same cable and thus is suitable for harsher environments such as processing
plants. The PA network is typically connected to a larger DP installation.
The Segment Coupler establishes a transparent connection between PA and DP. All PA field
devices appear to be directly connected to the DP network. The PA devices are set up in the
process control system or in the DP master like normal DP slaves. The Segment Coupler
responds to requests from the DP master under the guise of the respective PA slave addressed
by the PROFIBUS DP master in the telegram.
The basic Segment Coupler requires no manual configuration. The device configures itself
when the PROFIBUS DP master initializes communication and becomes transparent for the
control system and the field devices. The Segment Coupler contains a fully functional
PA master for fast, independent segment communication. The PA master imitates the
DP master. The Segment Coupler offers the following functions:
