Fieldbus devices which supports Methods

[Guruprasad K V]

Hi,

For the testing of Host with fieldbus devices. i need a list of Fieldbus devices which supports Methods and Menu's.Please mention the make of electrical actuator which supports Methods along with other devices.

Thanks in advance.

Guruprasad

[rezabejd]

I would recommend going through this list (http://www.fieldbus.org/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=search&Itemid=324&ffbstatus=Registered&ffbmfg=&ffbcategory=Final+Control+Element) and emailing / contacting the suppliers individually with your questions. I don't think any of us on this board have done what you ask, so when you're finished maybe you can report back what you have found.

[jberge]

You could download the DD files for the electric actuators, open the SYM file, select all and copy, past into Excel and filter on the word "method" and you will see if that device supports methods or not. You may even be able to get some insight into what methods it supports.

[Mike ONeill]

For the uninitiated, what are 'methods' and why are they so important?

[jberge]

An “EDDL method” is what most people today would call a “wizard”. A wizard (method) is a script (included in the EDDL file together with graphics and help etc.) created by the device manufacturer’s expert based on their intimate know-how of their device to guide the user through complex procedures such as setup of sophisticated devices or advanced diagnostics, that is, to make the device easier to use. For example, when calibrating (trim) a transmitter it will tell the technicians what steps to take making sure no steps are missed out. It has the additional benefit of ensuring all technicians do things the same way, consistently. Calibrating a transmitter can be quite complex. You must:
1. remember to inform operators to put the loop in manual to not bump the process when PV changes as a result of the calibration trim.
2. For a pressure transmitter zeroing you must isolate, equalize, and vent the manifold (for other devices you need to provide input another way such as dipping probe in solution or whatever), then you must remember to wait for a while to allow input to stabilize
3. next you may have to enter the value of the applied input
4. and lastly you must remind operators they can put the loop back in automatic control.

In addition to the calibration procedure itself, the above step 3 may require several other steps. This is how complicated it could be in the past without EDDL wizards:
Past 3A Locate transducer block
Past 3B Locate MODE_BLK.Target parameter and set OOS
Past 3C Locate CAL_POINT_LO parameter and write applied input
Past 3D Return MODE_BLK parameter to Auto
Without EDDL wizards calibrating an FF transmitter was quite complex, but EDDL wizards makes it a lot easier. This enables less skilled workers to perform these functions. The above zero trim example is quite simple, there are other wizards for more complex steps that help even more.

Wizards also simplify setup by only asking for relevant information. Transducer blocks can have hundreds of parameters. The wizard will only ask for those you really need to input. And they also take prior selection into account. For example, if you select a standard probe for your radar level transmitter, it does not prompt you to enter customer length etc. but if you do select “custom” probe, it will prompt for the additional information required. Here are a few articles which illustrate what wizards actually look like when working with different devices:

Method/Wizard in pH calibration/buffering
http://www.waterwastewaterasia.com/WWA_archive/SeptOct08/42t45.pdf

Method/Wizard in radar setup
http://www.pacetoday.com.au/Article/Level-made-easy/428649.aspx

Method/Wizard in pressure sensor trim
http://www.eddl.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/hapr08_t46.pdf

There are many other articles on EDDL on the www.eddl.org site that explain about wizards

[jberge]

Here are some videos showing how wizards (EDDL methods) guide the technician in thier work:

Calibration Trim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoO8zEjfe3c

Advanced Setup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFBxjnX974