schneiderI/A Series® HARDWARE Product Specifications

The Intrinsically Safe I/O Subsystem provides integration between the Pepperl+Fuchs™ (P+F) modular 

intrinsically safe remote I/O systems and the I/A Series® system. The Intrinsically Safe Communications 

Module (ISCM) enables I/A Series control processors to view the P+F I/O modules as equivalent 200 Series 

Fieldbus Modules (FBMs), which can be monitored with standard I/A Series blocks and standard InFusion™ 

or I/A Series system/control configurator applications such as the InFusion Engineering Environment and the 

Integrated Control Configurator.

FEATURES

 Intrinsically safe - supports Zone 2, Div. 2 or 

Zone 22 (LB-style) environments or Zone 1, or 

Zone 21 (FB-style) environments

 ISCMs interface the 2 Mbps HDLC Module 

Fieldbus to the FCP270 or ZCP270

 Up to 46 (for LB-style Zone 2 Applications) or

48 (for FB-style Zone 1 Applications) P+F 

intrinsically safe I/O modules supported per 

optionally redundant ISCM, with a total of

16 ISCMs supported per I/A Series control 

processor (FCP270 or ZCP270); a maximum of 

204 modules (ISCMs, I/O modules and 

200 Series FBMs) supported per FCP270 and a 

maximum of 128 modules supported per 

ZCP270, provided the maximum CP Fieldbus 

load and intrinsically safe I/O power supply load is 

not exceeded.

 Redundant ISCMs allow either module to control 

the process. Role reversal is automatic on 

detected failures

 Letterbug set through a letterbug module with 

rotary switch plugged into the ISCM.

 Monitored by standard System Manager or 

I/A Series SMDH and FoxView™ displays

 “CE” logo marked on product.

OVERVIEW

The Intrinsically Safe I/O Subsystem provides 

integration between the Pepperl+Fuchs (P+F) 

modular intrinsically safe remote I/O systems and the 

I/A Series system. The Intrinsically Safe 

Communications Module (ISCM) communicates 

between the two systems, as it enables I/A Series 

control processors to view supported P+F intrinsically 

safe I/O modules as equivalent 200 Series Fieldbus 

Modules (FBMs) over the I/A Series 2 Mbps HDLC 

Fieldbus. This allows the I/O modules to be 

monitored with standard I/A Series blocks and 

standard I/A Series or InFusion system/control 

configurator applications such as InFusion 

Engineering Environment and ICC.

This subsystem supports both the P+F intrinsically 

safe I/O modules and their associated base, 

extension or redundancy units for Zone 2, Div. 2 or 

Zone 22 (LB-style(1)) environments or

Zone 1 or Zone 21 (FB-style(2)) environments. 

Optionally redundant ISCMs are mounted directly on 

the appropriate P+F unit along with the I/O modules 

and power supplies, as shown in Figure 1 and 

Figure 2. Only I/O modules can be mounted in the 

extension units. Each I/O module can be plugged 

into any desired slot on the base or extension unit. 

ISCMs and power supplies are required to be 

plugged into their own dedicated slots.

Depending on the model type used, I/O modules can 

occupy one or two slots in their unit.

ISCMs are installed as single or redundant. In 

redundant configurations, both ISCMs are always 

active. In case of a module’s failure, the other 

provides backup coverage until the failed ISCM is 

returned to service. An ISCM for Zone 2 applications 

may support up to 46 LB-style I/O modules, while an 

ISCM for Zone 1 applications may support up to 48 

FB-style I/O modules.

NOTE

The following 200 Series FBM features are 

not supported on the intrinsically safe I/O 

modules: Sequence of Events (SOE), TDR, 

time synchronization, ladder logic, and the 

EVENT, MDACT and DPIDA blocks.

NOTE

The limit of sixteen ISCMs per subsystem 

represents the theoretical maximum if the 

base, extension or redundancy units are not 

fully fitted with modules. Sixteen base units 

with sixteen extension units will connect a 

total of 16 x 46 I/O modules (736). The 

controller can handle up to 204. If dual-width 

modules are used, then the subsystem will 

have 16 x 23 dual-width I/O modules (368) 

which is outside the scope of the 

subsystem. In typical scenarios, eight units 

can be connected to one FCP270

PEPPERL+FUCHS MODULAR REMOTE I/O 

SYSTEMS

The Pepperl+Fuchs modular remote I/O systems - 

for Zone 2 or Zone 1 applications - are the costeffective connection of field signals in the hazardous 

and the intrinsically safe areas to your process 

control system via the HDLC Fieldbus. Combinable 

I/O modules and high modularity offers cost-saving 

installations. The P+F remote I/O systems are 

characterized by high functionality and simple 

handling.

Only intrinsically safe I/O modules from P+F that are 

listed in this PSS are supported by the ISCM. If it is 

desired to also include non-IS signals in the same 

I/A Series system, then standard 200 Series FBMs 

must be used for these signals.

For more information on these systems, refer to the 

website: www.ips.invensys.pepperl-fuchs.com