ALSTOM EPIC III series controllers

ALSTOM EPIC III series controllers

Ethernet standards and component requirements

generic standard

Adopting 100Mbps Ethernet as the communication standard, it is suitable for EPIC, FIC and other controllers under ALSTOM Power Service.

Reference industry standard: EMC immunity must comply with EN 50082-2 or EN 61000-6-2.

Network components

Switch: It is recommended to use HMS or Hirschman brands, which must meet industrial grade anti-interference requirements and avoid using hubs (affecting performance).

Cable: It is recommended to use Cat 5E FTP cable (RJ45 interface), which supports up to 4000 meters of transmission in fiber mode.

Controller interface: RJ45 10/100M adaptive Ethernet port, supporting automatic rate negotiation.

Protocol and Ports

Port allocation:

20/21 (FTP), 80 (HTTP), 502 (Modbus/TCP), 3250 (PC-MTU IP configuration), 49200/49201 (main station function).

Disable device: Do not install routers in the network, otherwise PC-MTU and master station functions may fail.

Steps for building an Ethernet network

Software installation and system requirements

PC-MTU software: used to configure and monitor multiple controllers in a network, which needs to be paired with the built-in web server of the controller (accessed through a browser).

System configuration:

Processor: 300MHz or above (recommended Intel/AMD mainstream processors).

Memory: At least 128MB RAM, operating system supports Windows 2000/XP, browser requires IE 6.0+.

IP address allocation

Manual configuration (DIP switch):

The default IP of the controller is 192.168.0. X (X is set through an 8-bit DIP switch, binary to decimal, range 1-255).

Step: Turn off the controller → Set DIP switch → Restart → Configure PC IP (same network segment as the controller, such as 192.168.0.100) → Scan the network through PC-MTU.

DHCP automatic allocation: Check the DHCP option and save the configuration, which needs to be paired with a DNS server (controller name must be unique).

Network verification and configuration

Scan the controller through the "IP Config" window of PC-MTU, and the status color indicates:

Red: Declared but not connected; Blue: Undeclared but online; White: Normal connection.

Support batch replication configuration: Save the settings of a single controller to a PC and quickly synchronize them to other controllers.

Operation and monitoring

PC-MTU main window

Display the names, numbers, status (real-time data such as voltage, pressure, current, etc.), and alarm information of all controllers in the network.

Double clicking on the controller name will take you to its built-in web page for detailed parameter configuration.

Alarm and Control

Alarm indication: red (trip alarm, controller automatically shuts down), yellow (warning alarm), double-click to view the specific alarm page.

Operation function: Reset the alarm and remote start stop controller (HV button) through interface buttons.

MENU

File: Exit the software and print the current interface.

View: Save/load layout, resize text, lock layout (password required), set alarm sound.

Advanced: IP configuration, password modification, switching working directory.

Terminology and Precautions

Key terms

Modbus/TCP: an industrial communication protocol based on TCP/IP, used for data exchange between devices.

DHCP/DNS: Dynamic IP allocation and domain name resolution services that need to be used in conjunction to support controller name access.

Master: Responsible for monitoring controllers within a specified range (such as setting a range of 5-10, and synchronously shutting down controllers within that range when the Master is turned off).

Precautions

Ensure that each controller IP is unique to avoid address conflicts (DIP switch or DHCP can be used).

Prohibit the use of routers in the network, prioritize industrial grade switches to ensure stability.

After the configuration is completed, the settings need to be saved to the controller's flash memory and restarted to take effect.

summarize

This manual provides a full process guide from network design, software installation to daily operation, with the core being the efficient configuration and monitoring of Ethernet networks through the collaboration of PC-MTU software and the controller's built-in web server. Suitable for centralized management of multiple controllers in industrial automation scenarios, especially in communication integration of devices such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP) and filtration systems, it has practical application value.