ABB launches first PoE flowmeters

ABB has announced that it has incorporated power supply through Ethernet connectivity on the latest edition of its ProcessMaster electromagnetic flowmeter and CoriolisMaster mass flowmeter.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) offers several benefits for process engineers, as it omits the need for a separate DC power infrastructure, providing power and communications via the same cable. This brings greater agility as flowmeters can be installed wherever needed. In addition, ABB says its 4-wire Ethernet combines classic outputs with future communication protocols. Offering a modular design allows the combination of both worlds and ensures that devices are futureproof, increasing the longevity of the flowmeters.

Flowmeters with Ethernet connectivity increase simplicity, flexibility and reliability for operations in process automation, while enhancing real-time visibility of data. Previously hidden data in field devices, such as measurement values on density, conductivity or concentration of the medium, can be made available. This in turn will help users identify redundant measurement points in their plants to achieve savings along the way.

“ProcessMaster and CoriolisMaster with Ethernet will support our customers’ digital journey towards smart cities and Industry 4.0,” said Frank Frenzel, Global Product Line Manager Process Flowmeters. “Ethernet is the leading communications technology. By incorporating it into the ABB flowmeters, we can help even more customers reduce complexity of operations and lower costs of infrastructure in more plants around the world — safely and remotely.”

An integrated secure webserver based on the ABB Ability Cyber Security framework is designed to ensure robust and secure operations that offer instrumentation engineers support during commissioning and troubleshooting. It also provides access to configuration, diagnostics and measurement data through a built-in QR code. This allows verification of all parts of the flowmeter and provides insights into its operating condition with automatically generated reports.

Combining 4–20 mA or digital outputs with new 1- or 2-port Ethernet makes classic instrumentation futureproof, with speeds of up to 100 m/s. The flowmeters use various Ethernet-based communication protocols, such as simple Modbus TCP or EtherNet/IP. This prepares them for IT/OT convergence, cloud connectivity and the requirements needed for secure and encrypted communication in the near future.

Ethernet connectivity for the ProcessMaster electromagnetic flowmeter is currently available in North America, and will be released globally later in 2021.