Fieldbus

How it is used

Classic fieldbuses include PROFIBUS, Modbus RTU, CANopen and DeviceNet; newer systems use industrial Ethernet such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT. Engineers configure nodes and addresses and diagnose bus faults, such as a device dropping out.

Example sentences

1. The drives are connected to the PLC over a fieldbus, so we only need one cable per cabinet.

2. There's a fieldbus fault: node 12, the valve island, has dropped out.

Common collocations

• fieldbus network
• bus fault
• node address
• industrial Ethernet
• remote I/O

Related terms

• I/OShort for inputs and outputs: the signals a controller receives from sensors and buttons, and the signals it sends to valves, motors, lamps and other devices.
• PLCShort for programmable logic controller: a rugged industrial computer that reads inputs from sensors and switches, runs a control program and drives outputs such as motors, valves and lamps.
• variable frequency driveAn electronic device that controls the speed of an AC motor by changing the frequency and voltage it supplies to the motor.
• SCADAShort for supervisory control and data acquisition: software that collects data from PLCs and devices across a plant, shows it on screens and lets operators monitor and control the process.

More terms: Industrial Automation and Production

• automation
• cycle time
• production line
• conveyor
• robot cell
• fixture
• commissioning
• throughput
• Industry 4.0