0 Page 1 of 18
1 Introduction
1.0 Design Principles
1.1 MTL Power Sources
1 Introduction
1.0 Design Principles
The Calculator is essentially a tool to assess voltages, currents, and various other
parameters associated with a user-designed fieldbus segment. It allows for an
inventory to be taken of all the components specified within a design, thus ensuring
an account is taken of all the required materials.
It takes no consideration of the user having made the correct choice of components
with regard to hazardous area location, nor the resulting nature of the networks, ie,
whether they become Non-Incendive, Non-Arcing, or Intrinsically Safe.
As the facilities offered by the Calculator are enhanced, the latest versions will be
posted on the MTL web site, and will be freely downloadable.
Front
Sheet
Main Segment
Menu Sheet
Key Notes
Sheet
Fig 2.1
Instrument
Data Sheet
2.1 The Main Menu lists the power conditioners that are available, as listed in
Section_1.1.
2.2 The Segment Sheet is where the fieldbus segment layout is created, where all
components are graphically laid down, and where the System Check is carried out. An
inventory of segment components may also be listed.
2.3 Instrument Data Sheet is where the more advanced mode of segment preparation
is carried out. It is here that data may be imported from previously engineered data.
Components such as surge protection devices, interfaces to allow for the connection
of Entity certified instruments, and interfaces for connecting instruments located in
Zone 0, may be added to the segment layout.
If at any stage of using the Segment Sheet the power source definition appears blank,
then return to the Main Menu to make an appropriate selection.
If a system design is partially completed, but recourse is made to the Main Menu to
select an alternative power source device it is essential to subsequently call the
‘System Check’ facility to ensure that the new configuration still indicates a
satisfactory layout.
The user may over-ride this choice by selecting the ‘SpurGuard’ or ‘IS’ buttons
accordingly, but a warning will be given regarding the action taken.
• Choosing a Non-IS Megablock with an IS power conditioner might create an
unsafe, uncertified network.
• Choosing a Non-IS Megablock without Spurguard might create an unreliable
network where a single point of (spur) failure could jeopardise the operation of
the whole network.
Such changes are not recommended by MTL in view of the possible conflict.
Note that once a Megablock is laid down on the segment, the type can only be
changed by complete removal of that node and re-applied in its modified form.
Fig 3.1
Selection of the cable type (and its resistivity) is made on the Segment Sheet.
Selecting the ‘Apply’ button will globally insert the selected value in all trunk &
segment spurs. Variations may subsequently be made to individual trunks and/or
spurs, where a non-compliant cable is being employed, by simply entering an
appropriate value in a given cell.
Where resistance values are left blank any calculation will assume that an instrument
is located adjacent to the Megablock, and the voltage present calculated accordingly.
Note : The use of non-screened cable in IS systems located in a hazardous area is not
permitted according to the IEC60079-14 Installation Standard. This might preclude
the use of Types ‘C’ & ‘D’ above, or similar non-screened cables.
3.9 System Parameters inserted into the selected layout include the following :
3.18 Printing
Selecting the ‘Print’ option produces a hard-copy to the default printer currently
attached to the PC, the exact content being WYSIWYG.
This allows text to be added by users, entering any data relevant to the project on the
spreadsheet, and in whichever cell is appropriate, with subsequent hard-copy being
available. An example of this might be to enter the location ID of each Megablock
directly above the block item, as seen in Fig 3.1.
Note : Unlike all other power sources featured in this manual, the MTL5053 device
has internal source resistance.
When specifying an MTL5053 it is essential that the ‘System Check’ option is called,
to ensure that this internal resistance is included in the resulting segment calculation.
Only by calling ‘System Check’ can the segment current be totalised and the effect of
this with the source impedance be calculated.
Table 4.1
Megablock Technology Maximum current
capacity
FCS-MB2-SG SpurGuard 58 mA
FCS-MB4-SG SpurGuard 58
FCS-MB8-SG SpurGuard 58
FCS-MB10-SG-T SpurGuard 58
F241 IS 40
F245 IS 40
F251 IS 40
F259 IS 40
The potential effect of this on the total source current drawn will be displayed,
highlighted with a red background, as the ‘System Check’ function is selected. The
increment introduced will be the difference between the normal current drawn on the
spur in question and the value of 60 or 42 mA.
The spur furthest down the segment, and also showing the lowest current
consumption at that juncture, will automatically be replaced by the fault current. This
new value will then feature in the subsequent segment calculations and appear under
the ‘Current Limit’ column. The basis for this automatic choice is that the furthest hub,
and then the lowest current drawn from that hub, will have the greatest effect on
instrument terminal voltages along the segment.
To restore the fault value to the user-inserted value, select the ‘Clear IS/SG Level’
button. This must be done prior to further entries being made, eg, more Megablocks
added, since a different spur may become the short-circuit focus of interest.
Clearly, if a spur offering no short-circuit limit in current is being used it will cause
the voltage to collapse, and hence disable the operation of the whole segment, ie,
when using those devices listed in Table 4.2.
No warning of this possible phenomenon is given when using the Calculator.
Table 4.2
Megablock Technology
FCS-MB2 No bus protection
FCS-MB4 No bus protection
FCS-MB8 No bus protection
FCS-MB10-T No bus protection
Table 4.3
Applying Standard Hazard Max. Segment Length including
spurs
Foundation Fieldbus Safe Area 1900 metres
FF-816 & all hazards (see table below for spur limits)
FISCO or FNICO IIC Gases 1000 metres
FISCO or FNICO IIB Gases 1900 metres
Table 4.4
Fieldbus : Maximum loading recommendations
Total Instrument 1 device 2 devices 3 devices 4 devices
population per spur per spur per spur per spur
1-12 120 metres 90 m 60 m 30 m
13-14 90 m 60 m 30 m 0
15-18 60 m 30 m 0 0
19-24 30 m 0 0 0
25-32 0 0 0 0
It is not recommended that both an Entity interface and a Zone 0 interface are used on
a single spur. Technically, this will work, and is certifiably safe, but the voltage drop
of such a combination is likely to be excessive to the point where the resulting
instrument voltage will be below the minimum operating level of 9.0 volts.
For this reason the application of both devices to a single spur is prevented.
appropriate to the manufacturer in question; next use the adjacent scroll-bar to move
to the specific instrument of interest.
The information listed displays : Manufacturer; Device Functionality; Device Model
Number; Design Current.
Once instrument model types are entered in the Megablock fields, it is possible to
automatically insert the current consumption values from this internal database.
This is actioned by selecting the ‘Auto-insert Current Drawn’ button. If a particular
instrument is not available in the database the ‘Instrument Current’ value field will be
left blank.
The database of instruments may be reviewed by use of the scroll-bar on the far-right
of the screen.
If the instrument required appears as a near-match or an alternative instrument
identified, the instrument data may be transferred by moving the pointer (red spot) to
the spur required, using the scroll-bar, and selecting the appropriate ‘Transfer
Instrument Data to Block ‘n’ button. The instrument data and its current consumption
will appear in the Megablock window.
5.1.7 Data transfer of Segment Sheet Data to the Instrument Data Sheet.
Exactly the opposite procedure to that described in 5.1.6 is available whereby the
Segment Sheet Data may be transferred to the Instrument Data Sheet to enable
modifications to be carried out.
Note that the only means of adding/modifying Surge devices, Entity, and Zone 0
interfaces is using the Instrument Data Sheet.
Using Windows ‘Copy’ & ‘Paste’ the three columns of data described, of the size of
the Megablock required, may be quickly transferred into the required cells in the
Instrument Data Sheet.
The values of current consumption may be quickly applied using the ‘Auto-Insert
Current Drawn’ feature (see Section 5.1.5).
The data is now ready to create a segment design as described in 5.1.6.
The foot of the Instrument Data Sheet contains the table published by Foundation
Fieldbus equating the recommended total number of field devices appearing on a
fieldbus segment against the number of devices that should be connected per spur of
that segment.
Fig 5.1