ABB CI857K01 Communication Module – Wide temperature anti-interference, strong adaptability to harsh environments!

Description

The CI857K01 is a high-availability, dual-channel communication interface module manufactured by ABB for its flagship System 800xA and Symphony™ Plus distributed control systems (DCS). This module serves as a critical and robust gateway, specifically engineered to provide a fully redundant Modbus TCP/IP client/server interface. Its core function is to enable seamless, reliable data exchange between the central AC 800M high-performance controllers and a wide array of devices supporting the Modbus TCP protocol, such as remote terminal units (RTUs), motor protection relays, intelligent instrumentation, and third-party PLCs. The CI857K01 is an essential component for implementing plant-wide networking strategies and integrating subsystems into a unified control architecture, ensuring interoperability in multi-vendor automation environments.

Designed for mission-critical applications where system uptime is paramount, the CI857K01 module’s defining feature is its built-in redundancy with two independent Ethernet channels. This robust design ensures continuous communication even in the event of a single network failure, a critical requirement for processes in industries such as power generation, oil and gas, and water treatment. The module integrates natively into the S800 I/O system, where it acts as a powerful protocol gateway, efficiently handling data communication tasks and making process information available across the network. The value of the CI857K01 lies in its ability to enhance system resilience, maximize plant availability, and provide a future-proof communication platform by leveraging the widespread adoption of the Modbus TCP standard.

CI857K01 ABB

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

The most significant advantage of the CI857K01 is its integrated high-availability architecture. The dual, independent Ethernet channels provide inherent network redundancy, automatically switching over to maintain uninterrupted data flow if a cable is cut or a network switch fails. This built-in resilience is essential for critical control loops and data acquisition systems. The module supports full Modbus TCP client and server functionality, allowing it to both initiate requests to other devices and respond to requests from external clients such as SCADA systems or HMIs. This dual-role capability within a single module provides a comprehensive and cost-effective integration solution for diverse communication needs.

Advanced engineering and robust diagnostics: Configuration of the CI857K01 is fully integrated into ABB’s unified Control Builder engineering environment. The module’s setup is streamlined through intuitive configuration dialogs that allow for easy definition of client requests and server data mapping. Data from the S800 I/O modules can be directly mapped to Modbus registers, eliminating complex programming and reducing implementation time. The module provides extensive diagnostic capabilities, offering detailed status information on communication health, channel activity, and connection status for each active session. This allows for rapid fault identification and resolution, minimizing downtime. The robust industrial design, with wide operating temperature ranges and hazardous area certifications, ensures reliable performance in the most demanding industrial environments.

Application Field

The CI857K01 is strategically deployed in large-scale, mission-critical process industries where high availability Modbus TCP communication is required. In power generation facilities, the CI857K01 is used to create redundant communication paths to balance-of-plant systems, electrical protection relays, and turbine auxiliary systems, ensuring continuous monitoring and control even during network disturbances. In oil and gas applications, the module provides reliable connections to fire and gas systems, compressor control panels, and tank farm instrumentation where communication failure is not an option. Water and wastewater treatment plants utilize the CI857K01 for robust connectivity to pumping stations, filter controls, and water quality monitoring systems distributed across large geographic areas.

Within manufacturing and industrial facilities, the CI857K01 enables high-availability integration of specialized equipment, HVAC systems, and energy management systems into the main DCS. The module is particularly valuable in applications where Modbus TCP is the standard protocol for third-party equipment integration and where network reliability is critical for process continuity and safety. The CI857K01 is the ideal solution for any greenfield or modernization project requiring a fault-tolerant, high-performance Modbus TCP interface within the ABB System 800xA or Symphony™ Plus control system framework.

CI857K01 ABB

Related Products

TU833 3BSE013258R1: A high-density S800 I/O unit base designed for communication modules like the CI857K01.

AC 800M Controller (e.g., PM866): The high-performance controller that manages the S800 I/O station where the CI857K01 module resides.

S800 I/O Modules (e.g., AI845, DI810): The various analog and digital I/O modules whose data is accessed through the CI857K01 module.

SD833 3BSE018107R1: A power supply module for the S800 I/O rack.

Industrial Ethernet Switches: Managed switches that support network redundancy protocols for building robust network infrastructures.

CI856K01: A single-channel Modbus TCP communication interface module for applications where redundancy is not required.

Control Builder Professional: The engineering software essential for configuring the CI857K01 module.