ABB flowmeters receive Ethernet-APL certification

FieldComm Group (FCG) has announced that it has approved physical layer conformity of ABB’s first vortex flowmeter (VortexMaster FSV400) and swirl flowmeter (SwirlMaster FSS400) with APL communication interfaces, following a comprehensive series of tests.

Ethernet-APL (IEEE 802.3gc or 10Base-TL1) is a new member of the family of Ethernet standards, providing full Ethernet and TCP/IP connectivity in hazardous environments at 10 Mbps for field instruments over fieldbus Type A cables, such as those installed in many process plants around the world. FieldComm Group and ABB are founding members of the APL project, working on technology development, standardisation, and product testing and certification since 2015 along with other companies and organisations.

“Product certification is a significant cornerstone for assuring superior product quality and interoperability in industrial communication networks,” said Paul Sereiko, director of marketing and product strategy at FCG.

“For ABB, this certificate is an important milestone on our journey towards a fully digitalised instrumentation and network-centric architecture,” said Tilo Merlin, Platform Manager for Instrumentation and Head of APL Development Program, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “Getting this certificate means we can be quick in rolling out APL technology to other instruments based on the same platform. More specifically, pressure and temperature instrumentation is expected in 2025.”

FieldComm Group is a global standards-based organisation consisting of leading process automation end users, manufacturers, universities and research organisations that work together to direct the development and implementation of new technologies and serves as the source for FDI (Field Device Integration) technology.

Image: Sean Vincent (FCG) and Dr Peter Bradley (ABB) during the certificate handover ceremony at ABB’s US facility in Houston Texas.