Different Types of M580 I/O

    In Automation architecture, the heart of a system is a PAC. Information coming from the field (sensors, push buttons, etc.) and commands sent to the devices (motor control, variable speed drive references, etc.) are often linked to the PAC via digital or analogue inputs and outputs. These inputs and outputs are physically connected through wiring between field devices and input and output modules.

These modules can be located in different positions: Locally, Remotely, or Distributed.

Local I/O

    Local I/O consists of input and output modules that are located in the local rack of the PAC. The internal backplane is used as a medium of communication. This structure can achieve very high performances in terms of response time.

I/O modules located on Extension racks are also considered as Local I/O.

Distributed I/O

    To achieve greater distances and flexibility, Distributed I/O ia a reasonable option. Distributed I/O consists of input and output modules but also specific modules (to better integrate devices) located on an island which communicate with the PAC over a fieldbus or network.

Due to the fieldbus communication over the network, Distributed I/O has a limitation in terms of performance depending on the medium used between them and the PAC.

Remote I/O

    Remote I/O consists of input and output modules located separate to the Local PAC and Local I/O rack. Remote I/O uses specific / proprietary communications which allows for similar performance to Local I/O because data acquisition from them is asynchronous to the CPU scan. Remote I/O eliminates expensive point-to-point wires by networking just a few (or thousands) of process signals onto one digital communication link.

One of the main advantages of Remote I/O is that the entire configuration is often completed using one unique software tool.

The M580 Remote I/O offer provides reliability and performance with the availability to integrate Distributed Remote I/O drops over the Ethernet network. The system uses Ethernet/IP technology based on the reliable CIP object model. The figure below shows an example of a PlantStruxure system with M580 as a global automation solution:

The M580 system uses Modicon X80 I/O modules, many of which are used in an M340 system. The system also supports several Ethernet-based eX80 I/O modules, which can be installed on both the main local rack and main remote racks. The local rack can also support an extension rack of Premium I/O modules.