In order to be equipped for safety applications, the tried-and-tested Programmable Automation Controller - PAC for short - has been fitted with a safety-oriented co-processor. An error in the standard part therefore does not lead to a failure of the safety system or to an influence on system safety and the connected protective devices. According to Pierre Bürckle, Marketing Manager Industry Business at Schneider Electric, the controller meets the safety requirements of IEC 61508/61511 and is certified by TÜV Rheinland up to SIL3 / PLe. An additional Achilles Level 2 certification also guarantees comprehensive protection against cyber attacks. Both safety and PLC applications only require a single programming software (Unity Pro XLS). Safety communication currently takes place via a proprietary protocol (Black Channel); CIP Safety is planned for the middle of next year. Bürckle comments: "Our strategic direction is ODVA with Ethernet IP."

When asked how the new safety controller generally fits into Schneider Electric's existing product portfolio - including the XPS-MF series branded by Hima - Bürckle replies: "In future, we will concentrate on the Modicon M580 Safety and offer a migration strategy for our Modicon XPS-MF product series. With regard to the Quantum series, it is the replacement for the Modicon Quantum SIL3." At the end of 2018, the M580 Safety SIL3 will also be available in a redundant version, i.e. with two doubled CPU racks.

While Schneider Electric's Modicon series primarily addresses the areas of process and system control as well as general machine control, the Group also has another controller platform, 'Pacdrive', specifically for high-end machine automation, for example in the packaging environment. To date, however, there has been no seamless integration between these two worlds - both in terms of standard automation and safety. However, according to Bürckle: "Under the EcoStruxure Industry architecture, the plant and machine areas will be harmonized in the future. Apart from that, differentiated technical solutions and offers between general machine control systems and high-end packaging control systems make perfect sense."