Description

The CI801 is a versatile communication interface module manufactured by ABB for its flagship Symphony™ Plus and Harmony series distributed control systems (DCS). This module serves as a critical gateway, enabling seamless data exchange and integration between the core DCS controllers and a wide array of third-party devices and higher-level supervisory systems. The primary function of the CI801 is to implement various industrial communication protocols, most notably Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP/IP, allowing ABB’s Symphony™ Plus system to act as either a master or a slave on these networks. This capability is essential for modern industrial plants that operate multi-vendor automation environments, ensuring that legacy equipment, specialized machinery, and business-level systems can all communicate effectively with the central control system.

As an integral part of the S800 I/O family, the CI801 module is designed for high reliability and easy integration into existing system architectures. It fits into a standard S800 I/O station, where it is managed by a group control unit, and its configuration is handled seamlessly through ABB’s comprehensive Control Builder engineering toolset. The value of the CI801 lies in its ability to break down communication barriers, eliminating the need for costly and complex third-party gateways. By providing a native and robust Modbus interface, the CI801 enhances system interoperability, simplifies project engineering, reduces lifecycle costs, and ensures reliable, high-speed data acquisition from intelligent field devices, PLCs, and other subsystems across the plant floor.

CI801 ABB

Technical Specifications

Parameter Name	Parameter Value
Product Model	CI801
Manufacturer	ABB
Product Type	Communication Interface Module
Supported Protocols	Modbus RTU (Serial), Modbus TCP/IP (Ethernet)
Physical Serial Interface	RS-485 (2-wire or 4-wire)
Physical Ethernet Interface	10/100Base-TX, RJ-45 connector
Number of Connections	1x Modbus TCP/IP server (listener), 1x Modbus Master (Serial or TCP)
Number of Supported Devices	Up to 32 devices (Modbus RTU master)
Data Types Supported	Coils, Input Status, Input Registers, Holding Registers
Isolation	500 V AC (channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus)
Power Consumption	1.5 W typical
Operating Temperature	0°C to +60°C (+32°F to +140°F)
Storage Temperature	-40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)
Relative Humidity	5% to 95% (non-condensing)
Mounting	S800 I/O Unit Base (e.g., TU811, TU812)

Main Features and Advantages

The CI801 module offers unparalleled flexibility in protocol implementation. It can be configured to operate as a Modbus TCP Server (slave), allowing external clients like SCADA systems or MES applications to read from and write to the Symphony™ Plus DCS. Simultaneously, it can function as a Modbus Master (either serial RTU or TCP), proactively polling data from up to 32 subordinate slave devices, such as motor starters, weigh scales, or auxiliary PLCs, and mapping this data directly into the DCS for control and monitoring. This dual-role capability within a single module provides a powerful and cost-effective integration solution.

Advanced diagnostics and robust engineering: The CI801 is renowned for its reliability and ease of use. Configuration is performed entirely within ABB’s unified Control Builder engineering environment, ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of errors. The module features extensive diagnostic capabilities, providing detailed status information on communication health, channel activity, and error logging, which is crucial for rapid troubleshooting and maintaining high system availability. Its robust industrial design, with high levels of electrical isolation and a wide operating temperature range, ensures stable and noise-immune communication in the harshest electrical and environmental conditions, making the CI801 a trusted component in mission-critical applications.

Application Field

The CI801 communication interface is deployed across a vast spectrum of industries where integrating diverse equipment into a unified ABB Symphony™ Plus DCS is required. In the power generation sector, the CI801 is extensively used to connect balance-of-plant systems—such as water treatment units, fuel handling systems, and electrical switchgear—that often utilize Modbus-enabled PLCs. This allows for centralized monitoring and control from the main power plant DCS. Within oil and gas and petrochemical facilities, the module serves as a bridge to third-party packaged equipment, including compressor control panels, fire and gas detection systems, and turbine governors, ensuring all critical data is available for plant-wide optimization and safety.

Water and wastewater treatment plants leverage the CI801 to integrate intelligent motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), and analyzer systems into their central control architecture. In mining and metals, the module connects material handling systems and specialized process equipment. The CI801 is also fundamental in manufacturing and pharmaceutical environments for bridging the gap between the process control DCS and standalone unit operations or batch management systems. Essentially, the CI801 is the key enabler for any application requiring a reliable, high-performance, and native Modbus connection within an ABB Symphony™ Plus ecosystem.

CI801 ABB

Related Products

TU811 3BSE013240R1: A standard S800 I/O unit base used to mount the CI801 module and connect it to the group control unit.

CI830: Another S800 communication interface module, often used for PROFIBUS DP networks.

CI854: A high-performance communication interface module for PROFINET IO.

AC 800M: The high-performance controller family (e.g., PM861, PM863) that manages the S800 I/O station containing the CI801.

SD821: A power supply module for the S800 I/O rack that provides power to the CI801 and other I/O modules.

S800 I/O Modules: Various analog (AI/AO) and digital (DI/DO) input/output modules that reside in the same station as the CI801.

Control Builder: The engineering software platform used to configure, program, and commission the CI801 module and the entire control system.