PLC Fibre Optic

[TheManKnownAsG]

I have to run fibre optic cabling from a PLC (unspecified type at present) to a SCADA system which is situated on a Ethernet Fibre ring network.

Is there any specific hardware which is required at either end to achieve this?

 

[mls1]

We'll need quite a bit more information to help you. Does the PLC have a fiber port or are you planning to convert copper to fiber (either serial or Ethernet)? Are there modules for the PLC that support different fiber (single mode or multi mode) types and different protocols? Do you want serial, Ethernet, or other communications? Are you hoping to tie the PLC directly to the SCADA server (FEP, etc.) or do you want to add it to the Fiber Ring? Is there a specific protocol requirement? Etc.....

 

[robertjo24]

It has been my experience that when a PLC has a direct fiber connection, it is a proprietary link between PLC’s. It allows two or more PLC’s to be interconnected over a long distance with complete electrical isolation.
I know Siemens and AB has this; others do as well I am sure. I have never seen a fiber network interface card on a PLC, but that does not mean someone has not produced one yet.
If you want a SCADA poling system to communicate to a PLC over a fiber Ethernet network, then you will likely need a fiber to IP converter of some sort on the PLC end.