All SIMATIC Panels and IPCs are developed for especially demanding environments. The devices are optimally equipped to deal with vibration in wind turbines: rugged enclosures, special hard disk brackets, and interlocks are just a few examples of standard features on SIMATIC devices.

• Rugged:
  • The SIMATIC IPCs fit into any control cabinet. Different mounting methods enable a host of installation variants. Ambient temperatures of 0 °C to +55 °C are supported on the IPC427C, with much higher temperatures in some applications. Use of a TEK is recommended for extreme temperatures (see Chapter: Temperature Extension Kit).
  • Salt-laden atmospheres are hard on the devices. SIMATIC Panels are also available in the IP65 type and are thus eminently suitable for offshore use. Versions of the Microbox 427C also enable use in salt-laden atmospheres: this is made possible by special paint processes that have been in use for many years.
• Innovative and flexible:
  We meet the ever-increasing demand for more computing power by using the current generation of processors from Intel®. Based on current chipsets, devices with Celeron M, Core2 Solo, Core2 Duo and Core2 Quad are available. This makes power-saving applications (e.g. simple data acquisition) just as possible as power-hungry applications (such as the software PLC in real-time WinAC RTX) and server systems.

Optimized equipping of the IPC and the Panel for more system availability is one of the simplest options for increasing productivity by means of reducing standstill times. Electromechanical components often cause malfunctions in PCs. Since hard disks and fans in the industrial PC usually operate continuously, they are subject to an especially high rate of wear and tear. Software options for diagnostics and data backup, such as SIMATIC IPC DiagMonitor or SIMATIC IPC Image Creator, are particularly effective here, in addition to the use of high-quality industrial grade components.