Ready for Industrial Wireless…?

The only wireless stuff I've ever come across has been abysmal.
Give me copper or fibre optic cable anyday.
Del

I agree with you 100% regarding wireless.

Wireless has way too many variables that can cause you grief.

If you want a robust highly reliable communications system, use copper or fiber.

Do you want to chance a major industrial accident or plant shut down because you put all your eggs in a wireless basket ?

Not me !.... no no no, dammit, NO

My first choice is fiber, second copper, wireless is last. I do have some wireless points on water distribution tanks and liftstations, because the cost to run fiber or copper is prohibitive (1-50 miles). One is running accross phone lines, but the speed is slow (1200 baud), and when there is a problem, the phone company response is terrible.

I do think that wireless has come a long way in the last decade, and the adoption of AES-128 encryption has plugged the security gap. But the only way that I would use it inside the plant is on a mobile piece of equipment (trolley...), where copper or fiber just will not stand up to the physical stress.

Oh yeah and the range figures quoted on any equipent can be divided by 10...
I tried a wireless router and wireless door chimes chez cat.... both were complete crap. I wired in the router in the end and deselected the wirless option, much fast and actually reliable. The doorbell is currently driving me & Mrs Cat mad...we have 3 receiver/bell units, one upstairs, 2 downstairs...bloody lucky if either sounds, yet the data says they have something like 70m range...yeah right...maybe 70m in a field.

Maybe I should post a thread about doorbell hacking?
<exit stage left mumbling>
Del

Question for you - made in China? There is a proliferation of wireless SS (spread spectrum) data transfer and control systems being developed for the industrial sector right here in the USA. These american made devices are reliable and perform to specifications. The companies that develop theses devices have a service and support department that will gladly assist in dealing with environmental problems that one may encounter with the installation and operation of these devices. My suggestion to anyone in the industrial sector who would benefit from one of these wireless devices is; Try one out. If you encounter problems with range or intermittent/limited bandwidth, call the manufacturer's support team. Obtaining a reliable radio link is not rocket science and a basic understanding of radio and antenna selection and placement would be helpful in avoiding problems.

Obtaining a reliable radio link is not rocket science .

No it's more of a black art

does someone know a company which has wireless modbus RTU interfaces (RS485) that are ATEX certified (at least Ex II 2 G/D)

This company http://www.microwavedata.com/ has the Modbus RTU interface. You would have to get an RS232 to RS485 converter if you go serial; they also have the Modbus over Ethernet capability.

As far as the certs: My suggestion is call. They have quite a few products, both licensed and unlicensed.

Usual disclaimer. I don't have any affiliation with them, but have used their equipment (Inet-II to be specific), and had no problems.

I guess it will take some times before it is accepted if ever. Legal and safety issues would be a main issue. "Your machine crushed my worker, sorry, his walky talky was not from an approved manufacturere so it is not our fault".

I agree that a hard line is always optimal and often times lower cost .. speedier, and more reliable.

Wireless is getting a lot of money thrown at it. Even the desire for wireless power (eg. wireless cell phone charger) is being challenged continually. the most current wireless products are quite capable.

For manufacturing, the crane scenario .. while quite real, and always the 1st consideration.. It's unrealistic, even with todays tech. Countless 'dangerous' doors, gates, ..bridges.. etc.. they are operated quite safely with the most basic rf systems.

When we finally free up VHF/UHF.. etc.. .. it is partly to free up channel space for military use etc. Think about what they are doing with wireless?

Yes.. we are ready, for wireless in the manufacturing environment, but the cost of the hardware won't justify it at this point.

There is very little reason to undo what's still working so well for so little if it still costs more, but you can bet there are people working on making their more complicated components wireless capable.

There would still be short runs of wire to various meters, switches etc, but the idea of using a redundant and repeatable / secure system is in place.

If it's to take off, it needs to be like everything else. The prices need to be lower. The cost of industrial grade components is often greatly inflated. If the companies that develop these technologies don't offer them or their licence for an affordable price, then many robust ideas will remain largely dormant until the patent expires.

The nice thing is.. things are already showing up.

my 2c..

well of course i could go on

IMHO It can never be used for safety critical applictions...all it neads is for a motor to go noisey and splat RF all over the place and it all goes belly up.
I trust RF about as far as I trust HR consultants
Del

ouch!.. Don't put wireless as low as the hr consultants.. that's just not fair..

BTW.. my Belkin Wireless-N router works like a dream.

my doorbell works as expected.. not as "advertised"

and I've install dozens (maybe many more?) of safety critical wireless devices..

-ever learn the term "fail-safe"? It's even a apart of wired systems.

hr doesn't even come close!

...just like when it became cheaper to buy a wireless router than to run a cable to the next room..

..when it becomes less expensive to go wireless.. many will adopt.

explosion proof pipe jobs are expensive!