PROFINEWS North America, Issue 6 January 2005

DEBUNKING
THE MYTHS

New for 2006!
We take a closer look at some myths surrounding PROFIBUS ... and expose the perpetrators!

MYTH 1: Profibus is actually four separate protocols ... and in addition there are a number of totally proprietary protocols ... (www.pacontrol.com)

RESPONSE: This is an old-fashioned view, and COMPLETELY WRONG! For a start PROFIBUS is an open standard defined by IEC61158 and EN50295. There is one PROFIBUS protocol, though with two implementations - one for discrete automation and one for process. They are tightly integrated and they have to differ because of the physical needs of process automation. No other fieldbus can do both jobs on a single network!

MYTH 2: ... Extensions to the PROFIBUS architecture in recent years are intended to extend the market of PROFIBUS to process automation. (www.pacontrol.com)

RESPONSE: So out of date it's cringe-worthy! There are about 500,000 PROFIBUS PA devices deployed in process automation today and PROFIBUS roughly shares the market with one other technology. Moreover, if the discrete automation devices are added, PROFIBUS is 3-4 times larger in process than anyone else!

The official email newsletter of the PTO in North America		Issue 6 Jan 2006
SPONSORS YOUR AD HERE		DEBUNKING THE MYTHS New for 2006! We take a closer look at some myths surrounding PROFIBUS ... and expose the perpetrators! MYTH 1: Profibus is actually four separate protocols ... and in addition there are a number of totally proprietary protocols ... (www.pacontrol.com) RESPONSE: This is an old-fashioned view, and COMPLETELY WRONG! For a start PROFIBUS is an open standard defined by IEC61158 and EN50295. There is one PROFIBUS protocol, though with two implementations - one for discrete automation and one for process. They are tightly integrated and they have to differ because of the physical needs of process automation. No other fieldbus can do both jobs on a single network! MYTH 2: ... Extensions to the PROFIBUS architecture in recent years are intended to extend the market of PROFIBUS to process automation. (www.pacontrol.com) RESPONSE: So out of date it's cringe-worthy! There are about 500,000 PROFIBUS PA devices deployed in process automation today and PROFIBUS roughly shares the market with one other technology. Moreover, if the discrete automation devices are added, PROFIBUS is 3-4 times larger in process than anyone else!
	SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
	FREE TRAINING COURSES PLANNED FOR 2006: If you've ever pondered the following questions then our 2006 Training Courses are exactly what you need: Why should I use a fieldbus? Can someone compare the available fieldbuses for me? How should I choose one over another? The PTO and the PIC are providing free one-day training classes to answer these and many other questions. Advanced aspects of PROFIBUS are covered as well. The current schedule includes 25 cities. More here

	PROFITECH CLASSES EXTENDED: The Profi Interface Center and the PTO have added two classes for 2006 - a PROFIBUS Installer's Class and a PROFINET Certified Network Engineering Class. There are now four courses available: More here. There's also a new logo - shown above.

	ARC DESCRIBES PROFINET AS 'ALL-ENCOMPASSING' : Market Analysts ARC of Boston have produced a White Paper on PROFINET, the Industrial Ethernet solution from PROFIBUS International. 'All-encompassing' means it has something for everyone, all tightly knit into a single spec. offering rich and powerful features, especially for Motion Control. More here.

	AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST WATER/WASTE PLANT USES PROFIBUS: Australia's largest municipal wastewater reuse facility houses the country's most comprehensive application of PROFIBUS DP and PA. Over the next five years, the corporation plans to extend this to its five largest water treatment plants. Coverage will then be extended state-wide. More here.

	SAFETY STANDARDS BEGIN TO HARMONIZE : Europe and the U.S. maintain distinct machine safety standards but confluence has begun. A comprehensive article explaining how and why has been written by John D'Silva. It's a valuable reference if you want to stay close to this subject. More here.

	KARSTEN JOINS PIC: Karsten Schneider recently took the helm at the PIC. His responsibilities include overall management of the team and support of any PROFIBUS or PROFINET related topics. More here.

	PTO HOSTS KEY INTERNATIONAL MEETING: The PTO will host the annual international meeting of PROFIBUS International (PI) in California in June. Later in the year, the PTO's own annual General Assembly meeting of the PTO will be held as usual in Scottsdale in August. More here

	PROFIBUS AND PROFINET FORUMS : A useful resource that's not widely publicized is the Forum at www.profibus.com It is a big and growing knowledge bank where any kind of question about PROFIBUS or PROFINET will be answered by experts. It covers subjects ranging from stub lengths to Ex zones and may just be what you need.

	WHY USE A FIELDBUS?: In the process industries only 15% of plants have adopted fieldbus. That means over 80% of end users have not! That also means North American plants are not running as effectively as they could. The situation is changing but lack of awareness at all levels in the plant is holding back progress. As part of our campaign to accelerate transition we've produced an article to explain the benefits. It's a worthwile read and might just change your life. Read it here


	CALL FOR CASE STUDIES : Have you recently solved an automation challenge using PROFIBUS? Then why not tell the world here? Case studies are always worth publicizing - they may help someone with a similar challenge and they will certainly help your own image. Send stories to Carl Henning

	FIVE NEW PRODUCTS PROFIBUS DPV1 Master Connectivity for ControlLogix from ProSoft Technology (shown) New Woodhead proxy connects PROFINET I/O to Ethernet, PROFIBUS or Serial networks. Configurable IP67 PROFIBUS -DP Modules from Turck Digital I/O modules for PROFIBUS from Woodhead Wireless with PROFIsafe from TR Electronic Publicize your new products here. Send releases to Carl Henning

	Published by PTO 16101 N. 82nd Street, Suite 3B Scottsdale, AZ 85260 feedback@profinews.us	©2006 PTO