ABB revolutionizes flow measurement in the field with Ethernet-APL connectivity

ABB is revolutionizing flow measurement by integrating Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer) connectivity into its flowmeters for the first time. The new FSS400 Swirl and FSV400 Vortex flowmeters now offer simplified connectivity and high-speed collection and analysis of extensive process and diagnostic data in the field. Vortex and Swirl flowmeters are widely used in chemical factories, oil & gas operations, and hydrogen plants.

While Ethernet is the most common communication technology and is already used in industrial applications for data collection and remote control of I/O and electrical equipment using protocols like PROFINET and Modbus, its application in process industries has been limited. Concerns around safety, cost, and cable length limitations have hindered the establishment of communication networks across large industrial facilities.

Ethernet-APL addresses these issues. Developed through the cooperation of 12 major industry suppliers of process automation, including ABB, and four international standard organizations, Ethernet-APL offers enhanced data rates of up to 10 Mbps, shielded two-wire connections for safely carrying power and data over the same cable, and cable lengths of up to 1,000 meters. It also fully integrates intrinsic safety, with a profile that limits supply voltage and current to eliminate the risk of sparking, making it suitable for hazardous environments.

“We are redefining digital connectivity in industrial applications and offering a leap in measurement performance by making high-speed transmission of field data possible,” said Amina Hamidi, Managing Director, BL Instrumentation, ABB Measurement & Analytics. The FSV400 Vortex and FSS400 Swirl flowmeters are easily configurable over Ethernet-APL with any standard web browser and industrial protocols such as PROFINET and TCP/IP, without the need for additional tools, drivers, or specific software.

Ethernet-APL provides a high-speed channel for process data, configuration, and diagnostic information, offering a scalable solution for connecting devices in the field to a control system. This enables simplified networking with all plant instruments and opens new opportunities for process optimization by utilizing valuable data previously inaccessible.

The Swirl and Vortex flowmeters, with the capability to measure volumetric, mass, and energy flow, as well as process temperature, enable operators to make operational decisions and perform predictive maintenance based on real-time data, significantly reducing potential errors and downtime.

By enabling fast access to an expanded array of process and device data, Ethernet-APL also benefits plant operators by facilitating data gathering from potentially hundreds or thousands of devices. When combined with ABB’s Ability™ SmartMaster suite, an asset performance management platform, operators can leverage fast troubleshooting, remote diagnostics, non-invasive process analytics, and many other possibilities by combining operational data, engineering data, and IT services.