After releasing modular units for cabinet-mounted SK 500E inverters during the second quarter of 2011, NORD Drivesystems (www.nord.com), a world leader in the power transmission industry, has announced that it is supplying PROFINET modules for the seamless integration of frequency inverters into PROFINET environments.

The new PROFINET modules eliminate the need for repeaters or extra master interfaces as it cost-efficiently connects numerous inverters to a single bus line. Supporting real-time data transfer, the technology box also features an integrated web server, an integrated Industrial Ethernet switch, and a PROFINET status display.

It also offers a bus module for distributed control that can be fitted either directly on the interface unit of the inverter or separately from the inverter via an optional wall mounting kit. The PROFINET bus line is linked to the module through an RJ45 plug connector.

For distributed control, the bus module can also be connected through an optional M12 circular connector. The new module provides two 24V outputs and eight integrated 24V inputs. Designed with gateway functionality, a unit of PROFINET technology can support a maximum of four inverters. Meanwhile, an integrated RS232/RS485 interface provides instant access to the parameters of the connected inverters and bus module through the NORDCON PC software or via SK PAR manual control unit. With a standard protection rating of IP55, the distributed modules can also be supplied for IP66 upon request.