Advant Controller 31 Series 40 and 50

1 Introduction

                                                                                                                                                  This chapter gives you an introduction to the AC31 automation, from the overall architecture to

                                                                                                                                                    the operational rules of the 40 and 50 series basic units

1.1 General information on the AC31 system

The AC31 system consists of the series 30, 40, 50, and 90. This operating manual describes the series 40 and 50. 

The AC31 brings accessibility to beginners and experienced automation users alike, for any application with 14 to 

approximately 1000 inputs / outputs and more, using the same set of basic components. From a compact machine

 fitted with a few automated functions to large installations spread over hundreds of meter, and even kilometers, th

e AC31 can fit your requirements. It is therefore possible to realize distributed applications throughout a site, a wor

kshop, or a machine where each component (input / output units, basic unit) is close to the sensors / actuators. T

he whole setup is connected by a single twisted pair over which all information from the sensors is sent after proc

essing by the basic unit to the actuators via the remote modules. Additional central units configured as slave can 

also be connected to this CS31 system bus. In case of the series 40 and 50 the following communication interface

s are available, to extend the AC31’s possibilities and integration with the company's other automation systems: M

ODBUS, ASCII, ARCNET, RCOM, AF100. The developments in this field are continua

Many users on all the continents have realized numerous applications such as:

Machine control:

- Manufacturing of floor boards

- Assembly of electrical contactors

- Manufacturing of ceramic products

Controlling-commanding installations:

- Wharf cranes 

- Water treatment 

- Ski lifts 

- Wind power machines, etc.

System management:

- Climatic anagement 

- Building power management 

- Tunnel ventilation 

- Alarms in hospital environments

 - Greenhouse lighting / humidity, etc.

1.2 General set-up rules

An ABB AC31 system always includes at least one 

AC31 basic unit. There are three types of basic un

its: - The 40 series basic unit, with a local interface

 for central inputs / outputs extensions - The 50 ser

ies basic unit, with a local interface for central inpu

ts / outputs extensions and a CS31 system bus inter

face for decentralized extensions - The 90 series basi

c unit, with a CS31 system bus interface for decentrali

zed extensions Each basic unit incorporates a specific

 number of digital inputs/outputs and in case of the 

series 90 occasionally analog inputs/outputs. It is po

ssible, depending on the basic unit, to increase the 

number of inputs / outputs, to add input / output e

xtensions connected directly to the basic units or re

mote input / output units via the CS31 twisted pair.

A master basic unit can manage up to 31 connection points, such as: - Series 50

 remote units with central extension possibilities: a maximum of 6 extension units

 comprising of e. g. a maximum of 8 analog input channels and 8 analog output c

hannels - Series 30 and 90 remote unit (without central extension possibilities) wi

th analog or digital inputs / outputs - An ABB NCSA-01 variable speed drive interfa

ce - A high-speed counter unit - 30, 50 and 90 series basic units as slave with the

ir own user program - Or any other device which supports CS31 communication. C

omment: A connection point fitted solely with digital channels occupies 1 connecti

on point. A connection point fitted with digital and analog channels occupies 2 con

nection points of the available 31. The maximum number of remote analog units d

epends on the MASTER basic unit: - 50 series: - a maximum of 31 remote analog i

nput units or - a maximum of 31 remote analog output units or - a maximum of 15

 central extensible remote units (ICMK 14 ..) with analog input/output extensions +

 1 remote analog input/output unit (15 x 2 + 1 = 31) or - a mixed digital/analog co

nfiguration within the previous limits - 90 series: - a maximum of 12 remote analog

 input units or - a maximum of 12 remote analog output units or - a maximum of 1

2 central extensible remote units with analog extensions or - a mixed digital/analog

 configuration within the permissible limits

1.3 Power cuts or drops, battery

The 40 and 50 series basic units provide an incorporated battery buffer in order

 to save the necessary information for the next startup should there be a power

 drop or cut. The buffer battery is an usual in the trade Vanadium Lithium accum

ulator. It is soldered on a printed-circuit board inside the unit and qualified perso

nnel can exchange it by themselves. The accumulator is 100 % charged after 1

2 operating hours without interruption. Its lifetime is between 6 and 15 years; it 

depends on how often and how long the power supply of the unit is switched off.

 The battery buffer time is 20 days at 25 °C. During that time data (e.g. flags) can

 be stored with power supply of the unit switched off. The status word %IW 1062

.15 (EW 62,15), Bit 3 gives information on the status of the battery (0 correspond

s to error, 1 corresponds to OK). Caution: The following operating instructions are t

o be observed: • Never short-circuit or operate battery with the polarities reversed!

 They are likely to overheat and explode. Avoid chance short circuiting and therefor

e do not store batteries in metal containers and do not place them on metallic surfa

ces. Escaping lithium is health hazard. • Replace battery only with power supply on.

 Otherwise data may be lost. • Dispose of battery environmentally consciously! To sa

ve all or part of the data prior configuration of the basic unit is required (refer to volu

me 2 - System Technology). If the configuration of the basic unit is absent then all f

unctions and internal data will be reset to 0 after power cut.

3.1.3 Earthing 3.1.3.1 Basic earthing principles Use rigid wires or multi-con

ductor wires AWG 14 (1.95 mm2 ) or bigger diameter. The earth and mains

 wires should be connected in star. All AC31 components of a cabinet shou

ld be connected to the same earth. When the remote units are situated ou

tside the cabinet they should be connected to the nearest earth. The 40 an

d 50 series basic units are fitted with an earth plate with the DIN rail mount

ing system. Also, if the basic unit is screwed directly to a metal plate, the sc

rew located at the top left of the basic unit (as seen from the front) ensures

 an electrical connection to the earth via the earth plate. This earthing ensur

es protection against electromagnetic disturbances. The safety earthing cabl

e (on terminal block) should be connected to the cabinet chassis. 3.1.3.2 Ea

rthing principles for several cabinets When the cabinets are close to each oth

er the different earths should be connected together using a cable with a cro

ss section of at least 16 mm² (see Figure 3- on page 4-3). The noise genera

ting devices (actuators, motors, etc.) should not be earthed in-between two 

. The earthing should be done near to the element causing the most disturb

ance (see Figure 3-2).