tishalane

Thanks for the response. I am doing all of the design, software and hardware. I've gotten pretty familiar with the system now and have been able to figure out most of what you have explained. The only thing I haven't came across is the issue with the surge. I'm not sure what you are describing.

I've hooked up an altivar 61 to a profibus system.

I'm actually kind of surprised that you can't find all of the gsd files. They're usually all online somewhere.

I'm not familiar with working with SLC503 and profibus but I have experience with profibus and Schneider Electric's Unity software for their PLCs. We couldn't download the config file. The config file for those PLCs actually gets converted and can not be "unconverted". The original config file was lost and I had to get all of the other devices' GSD file and recreate the config file for the entire line just to add one new module. I would assume that if you can get the configuration file created from the profibus config software, then you would only have to update the one GSD file. If you do not have the config file from the profibus config software, you're probably going to have to recreate it including details for every one of the devices.

NewDoorConveyor (1).pdfI will post a drawing of the line in a few to hopefully help explain it more. This system in particular is a power and free overhead monorail system for a doors off/doors on application for an automotive plant. The doors need to be taken off after the car comes out of the paint booth, assembled, and then attached back onto the same car that they were painted with. The system has three VDLs. We plan to have a smaller cabinet at each VDL with an HMI.

Thanks for the response. Lets just assume its a standard induction motor ran straight with motor contactors and overloads in the range of 3/4 HP. I understand the in rush current but how often do you have to turn something like this on and off before the heat becomes a problem? What about a 5HP motor? 10HP?

So today while I was visiting a customer about a conveyor project that we are working on for him, I mentioned that it would be much better if we could turn off the conveyor in one of his "dumb" ovens. He was super against the idea because he said the motor couldn't handle the switching. We would honestly only have to switch it on and off at a rate larger than once per minute. I've never came across an application where this is a problem. This lead me to want to find out what REALLY are the hazards of switching a motor like this (480VAC, 3 Phase) and when the limits come into play. I am still pretty young in my career and maybe I somehow missed this lesson. Anyone have any input?