2009-08-19 - ABB introduces AC500-eCo, an economic solution for small applications that offers access to the popular AC500 PLC
ABB announces the introduction of AC500-eCo, a new small scale control system which can be adapted to meet individual requirements and is extremely cost-effective in smaller projects. Included within the AC500-eCo package is a comprehensive range of communication options, which are rarely provided in such products including the Modbus master/slave or the CS31.
Small PLC solutions in stand-alone operation are common in smaller industrial applications and mechanical engineering. They often control drives and function sequences and deliver the necessary machine or system efficiency.
Due to the scalability and platform concept, the youngest member of the AC500 family can be configured precisely to meet the demands of the respective application. This powerful, compact, and cost efficient control system is well suited to applications within most industries including: textiles, food and beverage, building management, material handling, transportation, traditional and alternate energy, and environmental control systems.
The AC500-eCo CPU has integrated inputs and outputs, plus as required can be configured with up to seven S500 I/O modules. Connection to the internal I/O bus is fail-safe via a sturdy side-positioned connector. Mounting of all modules is simple on the DIN rail or via screw mounting.
System configuration is carried out using the PS501 programming software. This software is the ideal engineering tool for all CPU performance classes of the AC500 for end-to-end programming in accordance with the EN 61131-3 standard in five languages.
The Serial interface is configurable as MODBUS Master/Slave or CS31 Master. A second configurable Serial interface and SD card connections are available.
The AC500’s modular system makes all devices so compatible that they can even be replaced with higher-performance components as needed. The main benefits that make the AC500-eCo economical, flexible and user-friendly include:
- Complete PLC without limitation
- The entrance for stand-alone solutions
- High functionality integrated with digitals and analogues onboard
- Configurable I/Os for interrupt, fast counter and PWM
- High performance for low budget: 128 kByte user program
- Easy data backup without battery
- High compatibility: free combination of all I/Os
- Low cost distributed expansion (Modbus, CS31)
- Download of user program via SD card without programming tool
- One programming tool for whole AC500 family, based on CoDeSys
- Up to two serial ports for programming and communication