Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
(OP)
I am conducting a business case that investigates the value of upgrading the 15 year old Bailey Network 90 (N90) controller of a Water Purification Plant (WPP) to a PLC/SCADA system.
I am fairly new to DCS/SCADA systems, but I have good experience with PLCs. I have had trouble getting reliable, unbiased information from all parties (suppliers and employees). I’d like to know how outdated the N90 (now known as INFI90 Open) is. I know that Bailey has been taken over by ABB and it is still supported with hardware. But I don’t know how much of the original underlying architecture (comms between modules, addressing system, etc, which I imagine must be slow and inefficient by today standards) has been preserved to make it backward compatible, and to what extent this will limit the lifetime of the product. Do ABB have plans to phase out this line in the near future? I’ll appreciate any contributions.
I am fairly new to DCS/SCADA systems, but I have good experience with PLCs. I have had trouble getting reliable, unbiased information from all parties (suppliers and employees). I’d like to know how outdated the N90 (now known as INFI90 Open) is. I know that Bailey has been taken over by ABB and it is still supported with hardware. But I don’t know how much of the original underlying architecture (comms between modules, addressing system, etc, which I imagine must be slow and inefficient by today standards) has been preserved to make it backward compatible, and to what extent this will limit the lifetime of the product. Do ABB have plans to phase out this line in the near future? I’ll appreciate any contributions.





RE: Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
One thing to watch out for - if your DCS is retransmitting a lot of control data over the communications network, make sure you put in a new communication system prior to starting to move points from the DCS to the PLC. I had one single input point left to transfer, and when I looked deeper into its function, I realized that it was retransmitted from the marshalling panel across the comm network to another Rosemount panel in another building that performed the control function. Fortunately, I was able to set up an Ethernet link to another PLC with a single output card in a third Rosemount panel, feed it into the Rosemount using an isolator, then retransmit it from there. (Since I plan to replace all the Rosemount equipment eventually, putting in another PLC was okay, just earlier than expected.) I have since put in a parallel Ethernet network, and as I replace stuff in the future, retransmission of point or control data will no longer be a problem.
xnuke
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
regards
Oliver
RE: Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
So far it appears that the hardware is still well supported.
I was told Harmony Rack systems are still ABB's mainstream DCS product and are 100% compatible with Network 90 systems. If this is the case, why is your experience different?
I will let you know of the outcome.
econ
RE: Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
this requires no rewiring..... and replaces all of the legacy system.....
RE: Migration from Bailey DCS to PLC
Prepare the specification for an apples-apples basis. Specify all requirements such as hardware, assembly, programming, factory testing, field installation, site acceptance testing, startup support, training, etc. Identify the source of existing information such as the existing DCS database, P&IDs, schedule, etc. Many suppliers will bid on time and materails only for services outside the factory.
For a lump sum turnkey project, plan on new charges for any minor change. Define your requirements up front, once. Obtain the training to fix all minor changes in-house.
Expect the supplier to lie to you, especially about schedule. Consider the availability of trained support in your plant or area outside the supplier organization.
Good luck.
John