AS-interface pros and cons

[plcsavvy]

Do any of you have experience using the AS-interface from Siemens? I have recently begun investigating the possibility of employing this system to replace conventional pushbutton switches, pilot lights, sensors and associated parallel path wiring. I Would like to konow the pros and cons as well as your likes dislikes with the system. Was there a cost savings, Did the system resolve any issues with miswiring etc. Does the system allow troubleshooting without a laptop computer. These point are of special interests to me because often times the personnel perfoming the wiring installation do not have access to a computer or multimeter.

I like the fact that both power and communications share the same cable. especially interesting is how the devices, albeit pushbuttons, pilot lights and such, snap onto the cable. From what I understand each device has to be addressed. There are two methods to do this. One method employs the use of a hand-held adressing device and the other method allows the master to automatically address the devices. If the master is used to address these devices I guess that you need to go to each device and check it's node adress. Once the address is known you then mark up the electrical drawings to indicate each devices node address. Is this true?

any information will be greatly appreciated

best regards,

PLCSAVVY

 

[ozmosis]

plcsavvy
ASi is not just a Siemens system, it is an open system. (

http://www.as-interface.net/).

I work for Siemens (but within the drives group) but for my 2 cents worth, it seems to depend on the overall size of system you are looking at as to the economics of it.
I think the simplicity of it is the main advantage: clip it in, no way a device can be wrongly wired and the fact it is on a '2 bit' protocol (it's either on or off) means there is little to work out if something is not working.
We did a project on an escalator a few years back and if you have ever looked at the wiring looms on one of these you will quickly see the benefits of ASi in reduced wiring and room required (a big factor with escalator people) and the interrogation of devices via a pc.
The down side is if it is a small project then the cost is high.

 

[plcsavvy]

Thanks for your input sed2developer.
The machines that I am involved with are large converting lines having approximately 3,000-6000 I/O points.
These could be used on several pushbuton stations along the line. Several sections of our machines employ slip rings which are very expensive.
This is an obvious advantage to us, as a number of slip rings and a remote I/O station could be eliminated, thereby resulting in costs savings.

best regards,

PLCSAVVY