Remote I/O systems are modular systems for signal adaptation between field devices in hazardous areas and control systems in safe areas. With the remote I/O system, the field device signals are transmitted to a process control system in a concentrated manner via a single fieldbus cable with a standardized bus protocol (PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus and others).

The shared device function standardized in PROFINET enables several PROFINET controllers to have simultaneous read access to the data of the PROFINET gateway and thus the field devices. Actuators of a remote I/O station can be assigned to different controllers. Using dynamic reconfiguration, the I/O modules can be reconfigured or even changed during operation without stopping the PROFINET controller.

Pepperl+Fuchs offers

• the FB remote I/O system for the use in Zone 1 and
• the LB remote I/O system for use in Zone 2, Class I/Div.2

The topology of both systems is the same across the process control level which simplifies planning and carrying out maintenance.