Process Automation

Freelance distributed control system

Version 2015 Coming Soon

Compact, scalable and reliable

This year, ABB will launch Freelance Version 2015
providing even better redundancy features and enhanced
scalability with lite version of the award-winning AC 900F controller and Freelance Operations, and new products such as
the innovative S950e I/O system.
Freelance is ABBs user-friendly, cost-effective and robust
solution ideal for all process industries, with the following
benefits:
Easy to use: It is easy to install, learn, engineer, commission,
back-up, maintain and expand.
Scalable: Projects can start as small as 25 I/Os and grow
to as large as 25,000 I/Os
R eliable: It is a proven, award-winning and patented technology providing high reliability and availability.
Value for your Money: Investment goes a long way with
its small footprint and ability to run on any PC that result in
savings in training, installation, engineering and commissioning costs.

It includes three Ethernet interfaces instead of four interfaces

for the standard CPU, but it still supports redundancy for high
availability.

ABB has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of Freelance

and introduced the award-winning AC 900F controller, which
truly extends the hardware portfolio of the Freelance DCS.
This year, new innovations will be launched to even better fulfil
your requirements.

Overview of AC 900F Interfaces

Four (4) built-in Ethernet ports supporting ControlNet
redundancy, Modbus TCP/IP or 60870-5-104 telecontrol
protocol for PM 902F (standard CPU)
Three (3) built-in Ethernet ports supporting ControlNet
redundancy, Modbus TCP/IP or 60870-5-104 telecontrol
protocol for PM 901F (lite CPU)
Two (2) serial ports supporting Modbus RTU/ASCII or
IEC 60870-5-101 telecontrol protocol
Pluggable Profibus master modules (up to two) providing
integrated line redundancy
Direct connection of S700 I/O modules (up to 10). S700
I/O provides also very flexible, configurable modules that
support a mix of inputs and outputs and even analog and
digital I/Os in one module to save footprint.

Whats new?
Two CPU variants are now available for AC 900F
The new lite version of the CPU for the AC 900F controller
allows for enhanced scalability by providing a controller with
optimized performance and memory for smaller applications.

Increased security with controller lock

The new AC 900F controller comes with a feature of locking the controller via the display. When locked, dedicated
engineering changes, downloads or firmware updates are
disabled, while read/write access from Freelance operator
stations or OPC gateway is still possible for safe operation.

New lite CPU PM 901F

for AC 900F

11
4

5
10

Battery (underneath display)

Display (optional)

LEDs: Power, Error, Run/Stop, Prim/Sec, Battery

Switches/Buttons: Reset, Toggle, On/off

2 slots for communication modules

3 x Ethernet 10/100 MB

1 x Diagnosis/Radio-Clock

2 x serial lines, Modbus or Telecontrol

Power 24 V

10

Up to 10 direct I/O modules

11

SD card slot for loading programs, backup,

loading firmware

2 Freelance distributed control system | Version 2015 Coming soon

New Profibus Master Modules

To even better support redundancy, a new version of the
CI 930F for AC 900F is available. This new module now
provides built-in line redundancy for Profibus with two Sub-D
plugs.

New S950e I/O system

The new S950e I/O system is able to cover almost any demand in process industry applications. It will help to save
money due to reduced cabinet space and keep your production up and running thanks to redundancy options.

The new CI 773F for AC 900F and AC 700F is the successor

of CM 772F. It offers additional features and is more powerful
by providing enough memory (I/O bytes) for maximum number
of Profibus Slaves. It this is based on same technology as
CI 930F, with just one single Profibus connector. Compared to
CM 772F, the new CI 773F provides adding slaves without
restarting the master.

Summary of benefits:
High availability through redundancy
Small footprint a perfect supplement to the smallest
DCS on the planet: 600 I/Os per cabinet are possible
Reliable through hot-swap: modules can be replaced
without powering down the station.
All-purpose I/O system for process applications.
Optimized for cabinet mounting.
Cost-efficient due to affordable price and small footprint.

Freelance Operations Lite

The new lite version of Freelance Operations, formerly
known as DigiVis, also provides for enhanced scalability of
the system. Compared to the standard version of Freelance
Operations, the lite version is very attractively priced. It offers
unlimited number of standard displays and only limits the
number of graphic displays to five. It is mainly suitable for
smaller plants or the usage of Panel PCs in cabinet doors.
Whats more, Freelance Operations is now optimized for wide
screen displays.
Improved availability through Ethernet line redundancy
From the very beginning, Freelance was designed to support
redundancy. Also former versions already provided controller
and line redundancy. But now an even higher degree of availability can be achieved by the new feature of the Ethernet system bus redundancy. This feature is fully integrated into Freelance Engineering and Operations. Although it is designed for
AC 900F, it also supports mixed architectures with AC 700F, AC
800F and even Freelance rack controllers.
As a matter of course, Freelance Version 2015 supports Freelance hardware dating back to as long as 20 years ago.

Freelance Operations Lite

For more details, please refer to the S950e I/O brochure

(3BDD017333),
Benefits of the new version at a glance
Brand-new I/O system S950e fit for purpose: made for
applications in process industries, optimized for cabinet
mounting, high-density, high availability through redundancy
Enhanced scalability through lite offering of controller
hardware and operations software
Improved availability through enhanced redundancy options with new Profibus master, Ethernet line redundancy
and S950e I/O
Modbus TCP and telecontrol protocol now available for
ABBs AC 700F, AC 800F, and AC 900F controllers.

Freelance process
automation made easy

New S950e I/O system

Version 2015 Coming soon | Freelance distributed control system 3

www.abb.com/freelance
www.abb.com/controlsystems

Note:
We reserve the right to make technical changes
or modify the contents of this document without
prior notice. With regard to purchase orders,
the agreed particulars shall prevail. ABB does
not accept any responsibility whatsoever for
potential errors or possible lack of information in
this document.
We reserve all rights in this document and in
the subject matter and illustrations contained
therein. Any reproduction, disclosure to third
parties or utilization of its contents - in whole
or in parts - is forbidden without prior written
consent of ABB.
Copyright 2015 ABB.
All rights reserved.

3BDD017338 EN

Contact us