FIELDBUS WIRING

GUIDE

Building the Network

The only changes are:

1. The control systems 4-20 mA interface is
replaced with one that talks FOUNDATION
fieldbus. We called it a FOUNDATION Fieldbus
Interface (FFI). This FFI could, in fact, be in a
personal computer or a PLC.
2. The analog field device is replaced with one that
talks FOUNDATION fieldbus.
3. A terminator is added at the FFI end of the wire
pair. Another terminator is added at the field device
end of the wire pair. The FFI may have a built-in
terminator so that you dont have to add one.

Fieldbus Segment

Segment Calculation

Fieldbus Network With Additional Devices Added

Fieldbus Network With Chained Devices

Repeaters are active bus powered, or non-bus powered

devices, used to extend a fieldbus network.
A maximum of four (4) repeaters and/or active couplers can be
used between any two devices on a fieldbus network Using four
repeaters, the maximum distance between any two devices on that
network is 9500 m.

A Bridge is an active bus powered, or non-bus powered

device, used to connect fieldbus segments of different
speeds (and/or physical layers - e.g. wire, optical fiber,..)
together to form a larger network.
A Gateway is an active bus powered, or non-bus powered
device, used to connect a fieldbus segment or segments to
other types of communications protocols (e.g. Ethernet,
RS232, ..).

Addition of a Device and a

Bridge to Fieldbus
Network

Spurs and Repeaters

Repeater Connection

Shielding (Screening)

Polarity
The Manchester signal used by fieldbus is an alternating voltage that
changes polarity once or twice per bit.
In unpowered networks only this alternating voltage exists.
In powered networks the alternating voltage is superimposed onto the DC
voltage being used to power the devices.
In either case, the fieldbus receive circuits look at only the alternating
voltage.
Positive voltage swings have one meaning, negative swings have the
opposite meaning.
Therefore, the fieldbus signal is polarized. Field devices must be connected
so that they all see the signal in correct polarity.
If a field device is connected backwards it will see an inverted version of
the alternating voltage and wont be able to communicate.

Short Circuit Protection

Short circuit protection has logic that detects a short,

removes the shorted circuit from the segment, and lights
a LED. This prevents a short from affecting the segment.

DC Power for Two-Wire Field

Devices

If you have 2-wire field devices in your network, you

have to make sure they have enough voltage to
operate.
Each device should have at least 9 volts.
You need to know:
1. The current consumption of each device.
2. Its location on the network.
3. The location of the power supply on the network.
4. The resistance of each cable section.
5. The power supply voltage.

Installation

Powered and Unpowered

Bus Topology

Tree Topology

Daisy Chain Topology

Point-to-Point Topology

Terminators
A terminator is an impedance
matching module used at or near
each end of a transmission line.
There need to be two (and ONLY
TWO) terminators per bus segment.
The terminators prevent distortion
and signal loss, and are typically
purchased and installed as a
preassembled, sealed module.
The user/installer need not be
concerned about or assemble
individual electrical resistors and
capacitors.

Terminal Blocks

Terminal blocks can be the same terminal blocks as used for 4-20 mA.
The terminal blocks typically provide multiple bus connections, such that a device
can be wired to any set of bus terminals.

Power Supply

Wide input range:

90-264 VAC (47-440 Hz)
127-367 VDC
24 VDC, 1.5 A output.
Galvanically isolated
Failure indication and output

Power Conditioner

A fieldbus power conditioner prevents the high frequency

communications signal from being shorted out by the DC
voltage regulators.
Typical power conditioners make 350 to 500mA available
on the bus.

Grounding

Preferred Earthing Arrangement

Alternative earthing arrangement for improved

EMC performance

Multiple grounding with potential equalization

Wiring DOs and Donts

Normal wiring procedures apply:
No loose connections
No exposed conductors
Water proof junction boxes
Signal wires not too close to power wires
No safety barriers in parallel

Interface Connection

Basic Troubleshooting

Correct polarity
Correct tag and address
Integrity of the fieldbus network
Supply voltage is sufficient, min 9.5 V even during
communication.
Wiring errors, including wrong connections, open or short
circuits, intermittent
Connections and reversed polarity
Too many or too few terminators on each segment
Faulty out of the box physical layer components or fieldbus
instruments
Inadequate grounding, such as multiple grounds in field, or
the absence of any
clear grounding strategy

Communication Errors
Poor connections
Wrong or no terminator placement
Too low or unstable power supply
Too long or over-populated spurs
Wrong or no grounding
Water filling due to poor plugs and cable-glands

Troubleshooting

Periodic monitoring
Short-circuits between the fieldbus + or and the cable shield.
The signal level of each participant on the bus. A minimum level is
specified by Foundation fieldbus specifications. Low or high levels on all
devices suggest incorrect bus termination, but if the faulty signal level is
only on one device, there is possibly a problem on a single spur.
DC voltage on the bus, indicating correct functioning of power
supply/conditioner.
Noise: A maximum level is specified by Fieldbus specification.
Retransmissions. This provides a good measurement of physical layer
health; retries can obscure faulty device or network.

Tools

Signals

Multiple Fieldbus Frames

Signal Distortion

Troubleshooting Tables

Oscilloscope Captures

Bad Installation

Bad Installation

Bad Installation

Configuration

Transducer Display

Local Adjustment

Redundancy
No provision is made within either fieldbus
standard
for
redundant
segment
communications.
Various fieldbus vendors, including major
process control companies, have developed
redundant fieldbus schemes that involve
complete duplication of all equipment.

Power Conditioner
Redundancy

Galvanic Isolation

Fault-Tolerance with Redundant H1

Cards

Cabling

Cable Characteristics