Our working environment is constantly changing. There are many reasons for this, including the advancement of digitalization, which is permanently changing every sector. Digitalization and networking offer every company great opportunities, along with the possibility of incorporating new business models. One industry that is notably impacted by this is mechanical engineering.
WAGO Power Supply Pro 2 – Real-Time Data for Rapid Optimization
Prevent unplanned downtime, find and analyze errors faster, avoid unplanned service calls: The Pro 2 Power Supply from WAGO not only converts alternating current into direct current, but also provides valuable data through modular communication for predictive maintenance within the control cabinet.
If production processes are increasingly digitized, what does that mean for the future? And, in the age of Industry 4.0, what requirements must modern power supplies meet for communication and data provision? – We asked Klaus Böhmer, WAGO Sales Director International/Head of Business Unit Interface Electronics and Jürgen Pfeifer, IoT & Cloud Partner Manager/Industry Manager Factory Automation at WAGO.
Digitalization is part of our modern world. Everything is networked. Mr. Böhmer, what is the impact of digitalization on power supply communication?
Klaus Böhmer: Data must first be generated, which is done primarily via sensors that monitor machine conditions and processes. Today, automation solutions exclude key components like power supplies. In addition to parameters and status data, the consumption data of connected components are crucial. In a temporal context, normal behavior and deviations can be determined and any necessary measures can be derived. This makes the ability to communicate a core component of modern power supplies.
Short and sweet: Explain why the WAGO Power Supply Pro 2 is ready for the digital age.
Jürgen Pfeifer: The optional plug-in communication interface – designed, for example, as an IO-Link interface – and the configuration and diagnostics options of the new WAGO Power Supply Pro 2 now take the user one step further into the digital age.
Jürgen Pfeifer, IoT & Cloud Partner Manager/Industry Manager Factory Automation
Mr. Böhmer, do you agree?
Klaus Böhmer: Yes, absolutely! Digitalization is only systematically implemented when my automation solutions provide enough data to build a virtual image. Our Pro 2 Power Supplies are now integral parts of this process. In addition to the numerous configurable options that determine the power supplies’ behavior in certain situations, the permanently determined data allow the generation of warning and error messages. This prevents damage (e.g., by triggering the built-in electronic fuse) or helps quickly react to short-term load changes via TopBoost or PowerBoost. These procedures describe the state of the connected circuit and its loads. Without communication, this world is closed to the user – and it would be a pity!
Digitalization and networking offer great opportunities for every company. What's the competitive advantage of the WAGO Power Supply Pro 2?
Klaus Böhmer: With the options just described, the user can react immediately and effectively upon leaving a normal state. This can save enormous costs because downtimes can be minimized or even avoided. Preventive maintenance can be initiated, which leads to improved efficiency while saving costs and resources. Since our communication module is pluggable, the same power supplies for different fieldbus protocols can be upgraded. We have transferred our basic #openandeasy approach, which applies to our controllers, to our power supplies.
Klaus Böhmer, WAGO Sales Director International/Head of Business Unit Interface Electronics
What specific challenges do you see in the future for modern power supplies and their ability to communicate?
Jürgen Pfeifer: The challenges are many and include relieving the PLC of data that is not directly needed for the application to work. Furthermore, it's also challenging to interpret the data with respect to the application. Here, WAGO can assist with an IoT partner network and analytics experts when needed.
Klaus Böhmer: The benefits of power supply communication are obvious. We and our customers have a plethora of ideas about all the possible applications that can still be realized with such intelligent power supplies. A treasure trove of possibilities, wherein the challenge is setting the right priorities. And it's a challenge that I welcome!
Learn more about the WAGO Power Supplies Pro 2
The WAGO Pro 2 Power Supply: Control cabinets are undergoing a transformation, with both quantity and quality demands constantly increasing. Greater networking, rising energy costs and growing customization require smaller, more economical, faster and more flexible solutions in control cabinets.
The WAGO Power Supply Pro 2 is configured so that the most important operating status information can be read off the front – even more valuable data can be retrieved through the controller. Real-time status information is essential for assessing situations in real time and responding judiciously.
New power supply, new software – not an end in itself, but so you can configure your WAGO Power Supply Pro 2 precisely to your needs – right on site or via remote maintenance. This gives you flexibility – in the settings, installation location and storage. Greater flexibility also means less need for different power supplies.
