Opto 22 (www.opto22.com) unveiled the new SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit (“SNAP-PAC-ROK”) utilized to design Ethernet-based redundant control systems with maximum distributed intelligence and reliability that can immediately recover from failure.

Using Opto 22’s award-winning SNAP PAC System(tm) family, SNAP Ethernet I/O, and the latest PAC Project Professional 9.0 software suite, with the SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit, users can configure automation systems with dual PACs that essentially run and synchronize in parallel. When a controller fails or knocked offline, the other controller will take command and continue to perform the control program and applications it runs with no restart necessary or interruption. This feature, commonly called as “redundancy” in the automation industry, provides many advantages. Among these is an important reduction in mean time between failures (“MTBF”) of the control system, and thus greater levels of reliability for process-oriented applications in the manufacturing of thin film LCD, semiconductors and high-value product batches. Also, redundant control systems prove advantageous (“and are frequently mandated”) for handling, processing, and transport of byproducts, and oil and gas products, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

For both established and new installations, redundant control systems from Opto 22 created with the SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit give several unique features. It offers unique flexibility and other benefits in system commissioning and start-up. Users can keep their control system operating and online even they make changes to or replace their control program. A controller becomes active and the other controller is updated once the new program is downloaded using the new instruction set.

Other features that the SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit (“and the redundant systems it establishes”) differ from other automation suppliers: It uses the Opto 22’s standard controllers with no required special redundant controllers. It communicates over Ethernet by standard Cat 5 cabling with no proprietary communication interfaces, protocols, or custom cables.

The new SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit has a SNAP PAC Redundancy Arbiter, a standalone processor which connects serially to both monitors and controllers. The SNAP PAC Redundancy Arbiter maintains organization of the control program during startup.

It also has a SNAP Redundant Power Switch that allows power re-starts to controllers during firmware upgrades.