1. INTRODUCTION
1.1.5.4.
Terminal Block Insertion & Removal
Nexto Series has an innovative and patented mechanism for inserting and extracting the I/O modules terminal blocks.
In many automation applications, the density of I/Os is high, making the field wiring complicated and unfriendly. When
maintenance comes to the picture, the difficulties are higher, because reaching the wires is not an easy job. Sometimes, it’s
necessary to disassembly some close modules to access the desired one. In Nexto Series, these problems were solved by
combining a special connector shape with a front cover. Besides the easy removal and insertion of terminal blocks, the design
makes the panel look nice and organized.
ATTENTION:
The Nexto Jet modules have a different manner to insert and remove the terminal blocks, as
can be checked in chapter
I/O connector insertion for Nexto and Nexto Jet Modules
and
connector block removal for Nexto and Nexto Jet Modules
1.1.5.5.
Robustness
Nexto Series delivers an extremely rugged design allowing the use in applications where mechanical vibration is present.
Transportation applications or moving places are examples that require this feature, which is provided without the use of screws
or special mounting. The whole product design was developed in such a way to deliver this feature without compromising the
installation and maintenance procedures.
1.1.5.6.
Hot-Swapping
The hot-swapping feature allows module replacement without the need of shutting the system down (power off). The CPU
keeps controlling the whole process and the modules can be replaced whenever needed.
ATTENTION:
The modules that make part of Nexto Jet solution do not support this functionality.
1.1.5.7.
High Availability
Nexto Series delivers several different redundant architectures, where CPUs, PSUs and Fieldbus Interfaces can be mounted
in a redundant application. With this flexibility, the system can be tailored from simple systems with no redundancy at all to
very complex and critical applications where high availability plays an important role.
1.1.5.8.
Enhanced Diagnostics
Every module has its own diagnostics. The CPUs, Fieldbus Interfaces, PSUs and I/O modules have various diagnostics
available. Each module has a multifunctional display for enhanced visual status. Besides, each module that has a switch on its
top can provide different diagnostics information for maintenance personnel. These diagnostics can be monitored on the field
through the visual displays or via configuration tool. Some examples are:
Wrong module placed on a rack position
No field power supply
Short circuit in outputs
No configuration for a module that needs to be configured for normal operation
I/O tag and description visualization on the PLC for modules with OTD
IP address visualization
1.1.5.9.
Capacities
In Nexto Series, each rack can fit up to 24 18-mm modules or 12 36-mm modules. With this architecture, a single CPU
can control 320 I/O points using a single rack. This can be expanded up to 25 racks (according the CPU model) using bus
expansion modules.
1.1.5.10.
CPU Programming & Firmware Update
Nexto Series allows the programming of CPU and firmware update through the embedded CPU Ethernet port. This ap-
proach delivers some features:
Multi-functional Ethernet port, used to share programming, point-to-point data exchange, third party device protocol at
application layer, network variable data exchange, etc.
Direct access to local CPU variables
Remote access and change via Ethernet interface
Firmware updating through Ethernet interface
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