Conditions for Selecting and Using the Successor Model

When designing a new system or revising an existing machine, it is recommended to use the latest and most powerful devices. The successor models offer all the well-known advantages of the previous Bihl+Wiedemann gateways, plus a wealth of new functions and the best value for money.

Even if you are not (yet) planning to use ASi-5 technology, it is worth switching to the new Bihl+Wiedemann ASi-5/ASi-3 masters wherever possible. They are not only the most powerful ASi-3 fieldbus gateways but also future-proof, thanks to the new field update capability.

When designing a new system or modernising an existing machine, it is important to select the right device with the required technical features.

Especially, when exchanging a gateway or safety monitor in an existing machine with a successor model, care must be taken to ensure that these particular technical characteristics match or exceed (depending on the desired upgrade of the machine) those of your current model:

• Fieldbus and device description file
• Number of ASi masters, number of ASi circuits
• Power consumption per ASi circuit
• Required power supply unit
• Number and position of connections
• Diagnostic interface
• Physical dimensions
• Type/protocol of safety communication
• Number/type of (local) safe inputs
• Number/type of (local) safe outputs
• Number of ASi-3 nodes, number of ASi-5 nodes

• Required version of Bihl+Wiedemann software suites for configuration, diagnosis and commissioning

The successor models recommended by Bihl+Wiedemann are always as similar as possible to the respective archive articles with regard to the above criteria and at the same time they offer as many new functions and improved technology as possible.

Each standard gateway and each gateway with integrated safety monitor has its own device description file (GSD, EDS etc.). When switching from one device to a successor model, the corresponding file must be downloaded from the product detail view of the respective device via the "Downloads" tab.

The video tutorials explain step-by-step how to integrate a successor model into the higher-level control system. If you have any questions about changing a device description file, please do not hesitate to contact our support team at any time.

• Replacing an ASi-3 Gateway with a successor in RSLogix (EN)

The number and position of the connections for peripheral devices (sensors, actuators) as well as for ASi and AUX (auxiliary power) vary to a certain extent between archived items and successor models depending on the design and performance characteristics of the particular device. In some cases, the dimensions between the devices may also differ.

Please make sure that there is sufficient space available for installation in the electrical cabinet and that the connecting cables are of sufficient length.

For the corresponding technical details, please refer to the datasheet and the attached documentation. An Eplan macro is also available for each unit as a download on the respective product detail page.

Depending on design and performance characteristics, both the position and the shape of the diagnostic interface connector can vary between the archived articles and the successor model, as can the dimensions.

Older, archived items usually have a recessed RS232 port on the top, but all current standard gateways and gateways with an integrated safety monitor are equipped with an RJ45 diagnostic interface on the front side of the device.

When updating a current machine, make sure that the connection cables in the system match the type of connection used for the successor model diagnostic interface.

All standalone safety monitors and gateways with integrated safety monitor by Bihl+Wiedemann can handle the safe communication protocol  "ASi Safety@Work" . In addition, many of our older devices and all recommended successor models already have our own  "Safe Link" safety communication interface, which enables Bihl+Wiedemann gateways and safety monitors to communicate safely with each other independent of the fieldbus.

We also offer devices with additional fieldbus-specific safety protocols such as PROFIsafe, CIP Safety oder FSoE for almost all common fieldbus systems.

When selecting a successor model, please ensure that the device has the secure communication protocols required for your application. If you have any questions regarding the safety communication of our devices, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.

When changing from gateways with integrated safety monitor armed with 4 local safe outputs (2x relay, 2x electronic safe outputs) to devices armed with 6 local safe outputs, please note that the local safe relay outputs (K1 + K2) are replaced by local safe semiconductor outputs (SO1 + SO2). Accordingly, it must be checked whether additional safe contact extensions must be installed for the intended application.

If you have any questions regarding the secure local outputs of our devices, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.