Description
Product Introduction
The ABB CI810B (3BSE020520R1) is an Advant Fieldbus 100 (AF100) Fieldbus Communication Interface (FCI) head unit designed for ABB S800 I/O platforms. Mounted on a dedicated terminal base unit (such as the TU810V1, TU812V1, or TU830V1), it functions as the central communication gateway linking remote S800 I/O clusters directly to AC 400 series or AC 800M controllers running on an AF100 bus.
Automation engineers select the CI810B when maintaining or expanding legacy Advant OCS and System 800xA control topologies. It autonomously manages local ModuleBus traffic while streaming deterministic process data across the high-speed AF100 network, supporting up to 12 S800 I/O cards on the main rail and up to 24 total modules using ModuleBus extension cables.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Full Part Number | CI810B (3BSE020520R1) |
| Fieldbus Protocol | Advant Fieldbus 100 (AF100) |
| Baud Rate | 1.5 Mbps (deterministic AF100 rate) |
| Nominal Supply Voltage | 24 V DC (19.2 to 30 V DC range) |
| Power Consumption | Max 180 mA at 24 V DC |
| Local ModuleBus Capacity | Up to 12 modules on main cluster (max 24 with extension) |
| Compatible Terminal Bases | TU810V1, TU812V1, TU830V1 |
| Addressing Method | Rotary switches for AF100 station address assignment |
| Power Dissipation | Approx. 4.0 W internal |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +55°C (32°F to 131°F) |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
A power plant in Illinois faced an emergency when an bus interface card on a boiler feed pump remote I/O panel failed during a load shift. The central AC 450 controller lost all telemetry from the S800 drop, triggering a critical alarm. The instrument tech unseated the faulty module, set the station address dials on the new CI810B to match the old unit’s address, and seated it back onto the TU810 baseplate. The network re-established token passing within seconds, bringing the boiler pump feedback loops back online without cycling controller power.
- Thermal Power Plants – Balance of Plant Remote I/O – Bridges distributed turbine and boiler S800 I/O drops back to AC 450 controllers over coaxial/twisted-pair rings.
- Pulp & Paper Facilities – Stock Preparation DCS – Transmits digital limit switch and analog valve positioner data to central Advant OCS controllers.
- Chemical Processing – Hazardous Area Remote Clusters – Acts as the primary fieldbus head for intrinsic safety barrier drops running on backbones.
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
We test every CI810B module on a live testing rig before sending it to anti-static storage:
- Inbound Hardware Inspection: We verify multi-pin edge connectors, check the housing for cracks or broken latches, and confirm original ABB serial labels.
- Power Rail & Logic Startup: Apply 24 V DC to the baseplate terminals to verify internal power regulation, initialization sequences, and LED indicator checks.
- Network Handshake: Connect the unit to an active bus segment with an AC 400/800M controller to verify deterministic packet transfer and zero frame error rates.
- ModuleBus Local Traffic Check: Attach a bank of S800 I/O cards to test local bus power distribution, channel addressing, and pass-through diagnostics.
- Clean & Anti-Static Sealing: Contacts are cleaned with electrical solvent, sealed in thick static-shielding bags, and packed with moisture-absorbing desiccant.
- CI810B 3BSE020520R1
- 3BSE020520R1
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
⚠️ Set Station Address Dials Before Powering On: The reads its station address from the hardware rotary switches on the unit only during boot-up. If you change the rotary switch settings while 24 V DC power is applied, the module will ignore the new setting until you cycle power. Always match the rotary dials to the old card before seating the new unit!
❗ Modem Compatibility (TC512 / TC516): The interfaces with the physical media (coaxial or twisted pair) via attached modem units like the TC512 or TC516. If your replacement shows a persistent bus fault after installation, check the modem unit and its connecting ribbon cable—external line surges frequently damage the modem before destroying the FCI card itself.
⚠️ ModuleBus Termination Requirement: If your cluster uses extension cables (TK801) to bridge multiple DIN rails, make sure the last open slot has a TB807 terminator installed. An un-terminated ModuleBus causes intermittent card dropouts and noise errors across the connected I/O channels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)
Q: What is the primary difference between the and the CI810A?
A: The is an updated hardware revision of the CI810A. It provides enhanced component longevity and improved firmware compatibility for newer System 800xA revisions while remaining fully backward-compatible with older network topologies.
Q: Can I hot-swap a card while the system is running?
A: You can physically pull the module from its terminal base unit under power, but doing so will instantly sever communication to all I/O modules on that local ModuleBus drop. Place downstream process loops into manual before pulling the card.
Q: Does the support PROFIBUS DP networks?
A: No. The is strictly designed for Advant Fieldbus 100 () networks. If you need a PROFIBUS DP interface for I/O, you must use the CI801 module instead.
Q: Are factory-new cards still manufactured by ABB?
A: No. ABB has discontinued active production for the CI810 series. Our inventory consists of tested “New Surplus” stock (unused original spares) and fully reconditioned, bench-tested refurbished units sourced from plant upgrades.
Q: What warranty coverage do you offer on this module?
A: Every (3BSE020520R1) unit we supply includes a full 12-month advance replacement warranty. If the module fails or loses network synchronization within one year, we ship a replacement unit immediately.
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