Fault finding and maintenance, Fault reporting, Field wiring faults – Rockwell Automation T8480 Trusted TMR Analogue Output Module - 40 Channel User Manual
Page 29: Module faults
 
Trusted
TM
Module T8480
Issue 13 Apr 10
PD-T8480
29
5. Fault Finding and Maintenance
5.1. Fault Reporting
Output module faults are reported to the user through visual indicators on the front panel of the module 
and through status variables which may be automatically monitored in the application programs and 
external system communications interfaces. There are generally two types of faults that must be 
remedied by the user: external wiring and module faults. External wiring faults require corrective action 
in the field to repair the fault condition. Module faults require replacement of the output module. 
5.2. Field Wiring Faults
By measuring the output channel voltage and current, the module automatically detects field-wiring and 
load faults. When a field signal fails open circuit, short circuit or there is not field supply voltage 
connected, the output status indicator will display the configured LED mode, the corresponding output 
state will be reported and the line fault status for that channel will be set to ‘1’. All other output 
channels will be unaffected, except in the case of common cause wiring and supply voltage faults in 
the field. 
The field output voltage and current variables can be monitored to determine the actual operating 
conditions of each output channel. This additional information assists the user in determining the 
specific type of wiring fault. 
Once the specific field-wiring fault has been identified and corrected, the output status variables and 
output status indicator will display the normal on/off status of the field device. 
5.3. Module Faults
Extensive diagnostics provide the automatic detection of module faults. The TMR architecture of the 
output module and the diagnostics performed ensure the validity of all critical circuits. Using the TMR 
architecture provides a Fault Tolerant method to withstand the first fault occurrence on the module and 
continue normal output controls without interruption in the system or process. Faults are reported to 
the user through the Healthy status indicators on the front panel of the module and through the INFO 
and HKEEPING variables. Under normal operations all three Healthy Indicators are green. When a 
fault occurs, one of the Healthy Indicators will be flashing red. It is recommended that this condition is 
investigated and if the cause is within the module, it should be replaced. 
Module replacement activities depend on the type of spare module configuration chosen when the 
system was configured and installed. The module may be configured with a Dedicated Standby Slot or 
with a SmartSlot for a spare replacement module.