Bihl+Wiedemann Expands ASi Network Capacity with New 8 A Safety Gateways
Bihl+Wiedemann has introduced a new generation of ASi-5/ASi-3 safety gateways engineered to address the rising power demands of modern, large-scale industrial automation systems. By doubling the available current capacity to 8 A per ASi circuit, these gateways provide machine builders with the flexibility to integrate a higher density of sensors, actuators, and safety devices without the traditional constraints of power limitations. This development is particularly critical for complex manufacturing environments where simplifying network architecture while maintaining reliable communication is a primary operational objective.
The new product line includes three primary variants tailored to integrate seamlessly into diverse industrial Ethernet ecosystems. The BWU4845 gateway, optimized for PROFINET environments, facilitates advanced IIoT integration through native support for OPC UA and REST API interfaces, while also providing integrated current monitoring and detailed fault identification. For safety-critical applications, the BWU4851 model introduces PROFIsafe communication, allowing for robust interaction with F-CPUs and distributed safety setups. Finally, the BWU4244 provides a versatile solution for EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP environments, ensuring cross-platform compatibility for manufacturers leveraging heterogeneous control systems.
Each gateway features a built-in ASi-5/ASi-3 safety monitor, supplemented by six local safe inputs and six electronic safe outputs, allowing for significant scalability. These systems can be configured to manage up to 62 two-channel safe inputs and 64 safe outputs, meeting rigorous safety standards up to SIL 3, Category 4, and PLe. Furthermore, the inclusion of Safe Link technology allows for secure, cross-gateway communication, effectively reducing the dependency on localized safety PLCs. By consolidating these functions into a high-current platform, Bihl+Wiedemann enables engineers to streamline wiring and reduce the overhead associated with auxiliary power supplies in multi-device automation cells.
As industrial facilities continue to push toward higher levels of connectivity, the ability to scale network density is essential. The shift to an 8 A capacity per circuit represents a meaningful upgrade for machine builders, directly addressing the bottleneck of power distribution in expansive distributed safety networks. These gateways not only stabilize communication performance in high-load scenarios but also align with the industry’s push toward smarter, more diagnosable fieldbus technology that can support the sophisticated requirements of contemporary machine safety and control.
Written by Julian Vane, a field automation specialist with 16 years of experience in designing high-density sensor networks and implementing fail-safe industrial control architectures.