SERCOS Energy -- the Energy Profile for SERCOS III

SERCOS Energy reduces energy consumption in three areas. First, the permanent load at motor/machine standstill is reduced; second, energy consumption depending on the process is dynamically adjusted considering the target completion times/dates (partial load operation); and third, energy is saved during processing by switching off components that are not required at a particular time or point in the process (partial machine operation).

SERCOS Energy is an application layer profile that defines parameters for the reduction of energy consumption in a uniform and vendor-independent manner. The control reads out standard parameters of each SERCOS Energy component via the SERCOS III network, receiving status information and detailed consumption values. Depending on the situation (e.g., scheduled or unscheduled breaks, machine components not needed in the current production process) the control can switch connected components (drives, I/O, sensors) into energy-saving conditions, up to complete shut-down, in a targeted manner, considerably reducing their energy consumption.

The energy profile is an important complement to the existing SERCOS profiles and proves the claim of SERCOS as an open and complete real-time interface for machines and manufacturing, declares Peter Lutz, Managing Director of SERCOS International. SERCOS III offers the potential for energy saving in combination with full productivity.

A working group consisting of several member companies of SERCOS International has worked out a concept and a first draft of the energy profile specification. The final released specification will be available in June 2010.

There is an 8-page Whitepaper available that provides a more detailed description of SERCOS Energy.

SERCOS, SErial Realtime COmmunication System, is among the leading digital interfaces for communication between controls, drives and decentralized peripheral devices. SERCOS has been used in machine engineering for more than 20 years and is implemented in over 2.5 million real time nodes. With its open, manufacturer independent Ethernet-based architecture, SERCOS III is a universal bus for all automation solutions.