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ProSoft Technology has unveiled the new Ethernet to Belden 9463 blue hose industrial media converter, using which companies can upgrade their Allen-Bradley Remote I/O system by running Ethernet/IP communications via the existing remote I/O network.

Upgrading legacy remote I/O systems is imperative but most components in legacy systems are becoming obsolete. New control systems operate using Ethernet networks, but running a new Ethernet network with switches and fiber cable can be expensive.

The new ProSoft migration gateways and industrial media converters allow users to run remote I/O and Ethernet/IP simultaneously over existing Belden 9463 blue hose cable. Upgrading legacy remote I/O control systems can be done in phases, eliminating the extended downtime required to upgrade the system.

As the upgrade can be accomplished during scheduled downtime, installation costs can be significantly minimized. The new converter offers 57.6 K and 115.2 K baud rates and can cover a distance of 1,300 feet with simultaneous Ethernet and remote I/O data. Also repeaters are installed for networks with distances up to 10,000 feet.

In addition, the Ethernet to Belden 9463 blue hose industrial media converter’s units are of the plug and play type and hence do not require any configuration.

ProSoft specializes in remote monitoring solutions which are very useful for utility power plants. The remote wireless monitoring system or RWM uses vibration sensors which are placed on cooling tower fans. These can transmit vibration data to the monitoring equipment.

This information would then be transmitted via a wireless Ethernet modem to a monitoring system in an office computer. In case the data received indicates conditions that fall outside acceptable ranges, maintenance would be notified to repair the fan equipment.

RWM also allows monitoring when equipment is not located near wired infrastructure. This is especially valuable for monitoring equipment in remote locations. Data collected from monitoring stations can be archived for further analysis and also provided to third-party vendors where plants outsource maintenance.

This system from ProSoft helps manufacturing plants to eliminate downtime from machinery breakdown. Broken equipment causes delay in getting products out to distributors and customers. There are not only costs from repairs, but also in the potential loss of business.