schneiderFoxboro Evo™ Process Automation System Product Specifications

The Field Control Processor 280 is a distributed, optionally fault-tolerant, field-mounted controller that 

performs process control and alarming functions according to a user-defined control strategy.

FEATURES

 Performs regulatory, logic, timing, and sequential 

control together with connected Fieldbus 

Modules (FBMs)

 Performs data acquisition and alarm detection 

and notification

 Supports up to 128 Compact or standard 

200 Series FBMs, or up to 128 of a combination 

of 100 Series FBMs and 200 Series FBMs (with 

no more than 64 100 Series FBMs in this 

configuration)

No Fieldbus Communication Module is required.

 No Fieldbus Expansion Module is required for 

Expanded fieldbus support.

 Supports self-hosting mode, which allows the 

FCP280 to boot itself with a valid control 

database even without its host workstation

 Offers unique, patented, fault-tolerant operation 

using two control modules to greatly improve 

reliability relative to other process controllers

 Offers on-line image upgrade (OLUG) of a faulttolerant FCP280 without shutting down the 

process

 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) displays letterbug 

and real-time roles and statuses

 Connects to The Mesh control network via 

standard fiber optic or copper 100 Mbps 

Ethernet cables

 Uses a rugged, die cast aluminum housing for 

mounting in a non-vented field enclosure

 Can operate in Class G3 harsh environments

 CE certified for field mounting in enclosures

 Each Fieldbus port on FCP280 baseplates 

supports either a 2 Mbps or 268 Kbps HDLC 

fieldbus exclusively

 Uses versatile control algorithms and a wide 

variety of FBMs to provide control capabilities for 

a broad range of process applications

 Supports time synchronization using optional 

external time from GPS satellites

 Uses soft letterbugs configurable via the keys on 

the FCP280 faceplate.

OVERVIEW

The Field Control Processor 280 (FCP280) is a 

distributed, optionally fault-tolerant, field-mounted 

controller module. The FCP280 performs regulatory, 

logic, timing, and sequential control together with 

connected Fieldbus Modules. It also performs data 

acquisition and alarm detection and notification. 

The FCP280 connects to The Mesh control network 

via standard fiber optic or copper 100 Mbps Ethernet 

cables from network adapters installed on its 

baseplate (shown in Figure 1).

The FCP280 requires Foxboro Evo Control Core 

Services v9.0 or later. A system with the FCP280 and 

this software is called a Foxboro Evo Process 

Automation System

Figure 1. Fault-Tolerant FCP280 Module Pair Mounted on Vertical Mounted 2-Position FCP280 Baseplate

The fault-tolerant version of the FCP280 consists of 

two processor modules. These modules are installed 

in adjacent FCP280 slots in a baseplate for high 

speed communication between the modules.

The FCP280 accepts four PIO channels (that is, four 

separate HDLC fieldbuses) via the four Fieldbus ports 

on its baseplate. These four Fieldbuses are referred 

to collectively as the “Expanded fieldbus.” For a 

description of the FCP280 baseplates, refer to DIN 

Rail Mounted Modular Baseplates

(PSS 21H-2W6 B4).

The number of FBMs which an FCP280 can support 

varies depending on the types of FBMs used:

 200 Series FBMs exclusively used with FCP280 - 

Each Fieldbus port on the FCP280 baseplate can 

connect to a baseplate chain with up to 32 

Compact or standard 200 Series FBMs per chain 

via the 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus (up to 128 

modules).

 200 Series and 100 Series FBMs (dual baud 

configurations) used with FCP280 - The FCP280 

can support a total of 64 100 Series FBMs (Ymodule) or competitive devices (such as Foxboro 

Evo System migration FBMs) in one or more 

baseplate chains, with the remainder of the 

FCP280’s 128 module limit being 200 Series 

FBMs, depending on the Fieldbus loading of the 

FCP280. For example, an FCP280 could support 

64 100 Series FBMs and 64 200 Series FBMs (as 

128 - 64 = 64). See Figure 2 and Figure 3 below.

NOTE

Certain competitive migration or supported 

third-party modules such as DCS Migration 

fieldbus Modules and Pepperl+Fuchs™ I/O 

modules may increase this 128 module 

maximum per FCP280. For the maximum 

numbers of each of these migration/thirdparty modules supported by the FCP280, 

refer to the supported migration products 

books in Field Control Processor 280 

(FCP280) User’s Guide (B0700FW).

When supporting 200 Series and 100 Series FBMs, 

each Fieldbus port (PIO channel) is dedicated to 

supporting either a 268 Kbps HDLC fieldbus (for 

100 Series FBMs) or a 2 Mbps HDLC fieldbus (for 

200 Series FBMs) - not both.

For connections to 100 Series FBMs over 60 m 

(198 ft), an FBI200 pair is required to extend 

communications up to 1830 m (6000 ft). See 

Figure 2 below.

To connect a Fieldbus port to a 268 Kbps HDLC 

fieldbus directly, the Fieldbus splitter (RH928CV)