Following a comprehensive series of tests, FieldComm Group has approved the physical layer conformity of ABB’s first vortex flowmeter (VortexMaster FSV400) and swirl flowmeter (SwirlMaster FSS400) with Ethernet-APL communication interfaces. Ethernet-APL (IEEE 802.3gc or 10Base-TL1) provides full Ethernet and TCP/IP connectivity in hazardous environments at 10Mbit/s 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, standardization and product testing and certification since 2015, along with other companies and organizations.
“For ABB, this certificate is an important milestone on our journey towards a fully digitalized instrumentation and network-centric architecture,” said Tilo Merlin, platform manager for instrumentation and head of the APL development program at ABB Measurement and Analytics. “Getting this certificate means we can be quick in rolling out APL technology to other instruments based on the same platform.”
Merlin added that certified Ethernet-APL pressure and temperature instrumentation is expected in 2025.
