Siemens has equipped its Siplus HCS modular heating control systems for switching and controlling heat emitter arrays and elements with considerably higher output power and power density. Siplus HCS4200 for 230/277 V power supply systems now has more than twice the number of outputs, for example. With up to 384 outputs, an HCS4200 network can now control very large heat emitter arrays in the smallest of spaces. Additionally, the output power has been more than doubled with the new POM Midrange power output module – from 1.47 to 3.68 kW per 230 V heating element. This POM is also suitable for 277 V systems. The higher power density of the Siplus HCS4300 heating control system for 400/480 V systems now facilitates even more flexible modification to suit the application. With a maximum output of 7.6 kW per output and up to 216 outputs, this compact heating system can now control four times as many heating elements as previously.

Heating control systems from Siemens can be found in a range of sectors and applications all over the world, drying paint and coatings, for example, in the moulding of plastics and lightweight construction materials, in plastic welding and in film extrusion. The new heating control systems promise to help plant operators cut their energy consumption by facilitating energy-efficient heating element actuation and avoiding current spikes in the network.

There are three new I/O modules available for Siplus HCS4200 and HCS4300 with practical supplementary functions: one for temperature detection, another with 16 digital inputs or outputs and a third for voltage and current measurements, which allows for compensation of line voltage fluctuations. The heating control systems have also been equipped with a soft start function, enabling emitters with extremely high inrush current up to 20 times the rated current to be controlled.

Via the TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation) engineering framework and Profinet/Profibus communication, the heating control systems are easy to integrate into the automation network comprising elements such as human machine interface (HMI) devices, controllers and motion control components. In the HCS program library, individual program blocks can easily be adapted to suit the application in question. Sample projects are available for first-time users. Detailed diagnostic functions offer support in case of disturbances in the heating process and help to repair malfunctions quickly. It is possible to detect which emitter is defective, for example, whether an incoming or outgoing fuse has tripped or whether the line voltage or frequency is outside the tolerance range. The diagnostic data are reported to the central plant controller via Profinet/Profibus. For remote diagnostics, the user can access this data by means of a Web browser.