Introduction: The need for modernization
Modern production in the field of industrial automation requires continuous improvement of efficiency and compliance with safety standards. Older safety systems, such as the Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 safety relays, although functional, do not meet today's requirements. In particular, they do not meet the requirements of EU Ecodesign and regular energy audits. In this regard, the modernization of security systems becomes not only necessary, but also critical to maintain competitiveness and compliance.
Evaluation of old systems before upgrading
Before starting the upgrade, a thorough assessment of the existing security system should be carried out. The main assessment criteria are listed in the table:
| Criterion | Assessment | requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Specification | Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 | Compliant with SIL 2 |
| Compliance with standards | EN 60068-2, EN 60204-1 | Compliant with SIL 3 |
| Energy efficiency | 5.0 W | Increased energy consumption |
| Minimal fault tolerance | MTBF 10000 hours | Modernization is needed |
| Recovery costs | ₴5000 | High |
Modern alternatives: Programmable safety controllers (SIL 3)
A safety upgrade is possible with programmable safety controllers that meet the requirements of SIL 3. One of the most suitable options is the Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 controller. This controller provides high reliability, compliance with EN 60068-2, EN 60204-1 standards, as well as compliance with DSTU 3049-2013.
| Indicator | Old component | A modern component |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance with SIL | SIL 2 | SIL 3 |
| Energy consumption | 5.0 W | 3.5 W |
| MTBF | 10,000 hours | 50,000 hours |
| Cost | ₴5000 | ₴8000 |
| Compatibility with standards | EN 60068-2 | EN 60068-2, DSTU 3049-2013 |
Calculation of return on investment
Security upgrades have a significant economic impact. The return on investment (ROI) calculation includes energy savings, reduced downtime and cost of restoration.
Energy saving: The Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 controller consumes 30% less energy, which corresponds to savings of UAH 3,000 per year at an energy cost of UAH 1.5/kWh.
Reduced Downtime: The old system required a regular check of once a month, which required 2 hours of work time. The new system reduces this time to 1 hour. At a rate of 20 hryvnias/hour, this gives savings of 2,000 hryvnias per year.
Cost of restoration: The cost of restoring the old system is UAH 5,000, which is higher than the cost of a new controller (UAH 8,000). However, this reduces the risk of failure and recovery costs.
Total savings: UAH 3,000 (energy) + UAH 2,000 (down time) = UAH 5,000 per year. The restoration cost of UAH 8,000 is approximately returned in 1.6 years.
Phased implementation plan
Security updates should be phased to minimize production downtime:
- Planning: Collect all necessary documents, identify resources, perform risk analysis.
- Supply: Order new components from UNITEC-D, which manufactures components for security systems.
- Installation: Install new controllers, disable old systems, configure.
- Commission: Conduct testing, perform a security audit, receive confirmation of compliance.
Technical challenges and their solutions
The following technical challenges may occur during a security update:
- Compatibility with existing software: Use controllers that support existing protocols such as PROFINET.
- Increased energy consumption: Use energy-efficient components that meet EN 60068-2. standards
- System failure: Minimize the risk of failure by using controllers with a high MTBF (50,000 hours).
Case Stage: Before/After Upgrade
In the production of components in Kharkiv, the security system was updated. Before the upgrade, the system met SIL 2 but did not meet EU Ecodesign requirements. After upgrading to the Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 controller, the system reached SIL 3, which provided a higher level of safety.
Key indicators:
- Power consumption: reduced by 30% (from 5.0 to 3.5 W).
- MTBF: increased from 10,000 to 50,000 hours.
- Recovery Cost: Reduced by 30%.
Commission and confirmation
After installing the new components, it is necessary to test and obtain confirmation of compliance. Controllers must be tested for compliance with DSTU 3049-2013, EN 60068-2 and EN 60204-1.
Acceptance criteria:
- Compliant with SIL 3.
- Energy efficiency (energy consumption ≤ 3.5 W).
- MTBF ≥ 50000 hours.
Conclusion and purpose
Updating security systems is not just a technical task, but a strategic requirement for industrial enterprises. The use of safety controllers such as the Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0 ensures a high level of safety, energy efficiency and compliance with modern standards.
To obtain components and solve your security system upgrade task, visit UNITEC-D E-Catalog.
List of used literature
- Heidenhain LC183-340 5.0: Technical documentation.
- DSTU 3049-2013: Requirements for security systems.
- EN 60068-2: Standard for environmental resistance.
- EN 60204-1: Hardware requirements.