Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has announced that the latest generation of HMI controllers dedicated to the management of small machine and process applications, is now available to the southern African market. “The Magelis SCU is a combination HMI/ controller that offers integrated design and adequate functionality for simple control applications, while saving up to 15 percent in installation and ownership costs,” says Quintin McCutcheon, marketing and operations manager for the Schneider Electric’s Industry Business in southern Africa.

Magelis SCU controllers significantly reduce the total cost of wiring and equipment when compared to a traditional solution with a separate PLC and HMI. A single modular device embeds all the key functions:

• Crystal-clear display with TFT screen, 65K colours, size 3”5 or 5”7,
• Digital I/O, including HSC, PTO/PWM, and analogue I/O, including temperature inputs,
• Communication via ports, including USB (linking to tower lights and biometric switches), serial, Ethernet, and CANopen.

The set-up of Magelis SCU controllers is simplified thanks to quick mounting options of the controller module - either directly in a 22 mm diameter cut-out, or on a DIN rail with a remote cable (3 or 5 m). I/O devices can be connected through the spring removable terminal block without using a screwdriver, and the display module mounts in a standard size pushbutton cut-out which eliminates the need for special cutting templates.

“The functional design of Magelis SCU controllers enables users to save the space that is normally required for a PLC. This makes them a solution that is well-suited to applications where space is particularly limited,” adds McCutcheoon. The HMI controllers in the Magelis SCU range offer several options for remote process monitoring, enabling users to increase the availability of their operations. With the Vijeo Design’Air mobile app, available now from the App Store and Google Play, users can access a fully operable mirror-view of their application. Remote viewing is also possible through WebGate, via an Internet browser on a PC.