Thank you to Andy Dyer for coming today to go through the features and benefits of LOGO! the intelligent logic module from Siemens which many of our customers are asking about for their small automation projects. The LOGO! Logic Module saves space in the control cabinet, and lets you easily implement functions, such as time-delay switches, time relays, counters and auxiliary relays.

With regards to the ARC containment in low voltage assemblies, the testing under arcing conditions is considered to be a voluntary/special test and not a specified requirement of BS EN 61439 so not all IEC low voltage assemblies currently in use have under gone the tests. The testing/level of protection is generally at the manufacturer’s discretion or an agreement with the manufacturer and the end user. The test standard is IEC/TR 61641.

The purpose of these tests is to assess the low voltage assembly’s ability to limit the risk of injury and damage which result from an internal arcing fault.

Assessment criteria for personnel protection (criteria 1-5):

1. Properly secured doors, covers, etc., must not open.
2. Parts (of the switchgear and controlgear assembly) must not pose a risk of injury or damage by becoming detached and / or projected as a result of the arc fault.
3. No holes must form in the freely accessible external parts of the enclosure due to burn-out or other effects as a result of arc exposure.
4. Vertically attached indicators must not ignite (indicators which are ignited by burning coats of paint or burning labels are to be excluded from this assessment).
5. The protective conductor circuit for touchable parts of the enclosure must remain functioning.

Assessment criteria for system protection (criteria 6-7):

6. The arc must be restricted to a defined zone and no re-ignition must take place in the adjoining zones.

Additional condition for emergency operation:

7. Emergency operation of the switchgear and control gear assembly must be possible after fault rectification or after disconnection or de-installation of the affected functional units. This has to be verified by means of an insulation test with 1.5 times the value of the rated operating voltage over 1 minute.

To meet the test requirements the protective measures are either active or passive protection as shown below;

Whilst the Siemens Sivacon S8 has been tested to meet the criteria of IEC/TR 61641 they have come up with a level concept for flexibility and cost-efficient solutions to the end users actual requirements.

Siemens Partners were invited to attend a digital conference in Liverpool earlier this month. The event, Siemens Digitalks19, was attended by over 800 people including our Directors.

Siemens Director of Business Development and Communications, Justin Kelly, commented about the evolution of the digital mindset and the powerful part that Siemens have played in making this shift a reality.

“I don’t think there are many boardrooms around where Internet of Things (IoT) and digital transformation aren’t topics of conversation these days”. he said

However, there’s still a lot to learn about how we can apply our knowledge to each business to pull-out the value,” he added. “It’s an exciting proposition.”

Mark Godfrey and Lisa Lister presented at Clarion Solicitor’s annual automation and robotics seminar on 19 June alongside Rolls Royce, The Oakland Group and Universal Robots.

Many businesses are looking to see how they can capitalise on all the manufacturing data that automated or robotic processes are creating. Increasingly, the data allows businesses to gain insight across business processes. It can potentially help them see areas for innovation or better ways to collaborate with customers or suppliers.

The event was attended by an audience of more than 60 representatives, from a broad cross-section of the manufacturing sector. A great profile raising event for Saftronics on a regional platform.