Product Core Brief
- Model: CI801, OEM Article Code 3BSE022366R1
- Brand: ABB Control Systems
- Series: S800 Distributed I/O for AC800M / System 800xA DCS
- Core Function: PROFIBUS DP-V1 slave Fieldbus Communication Interface (FCI); bridges S800 ModuleBus I/O racks to Profibus DP master controllers, manages I/O diagnostics, OSP fail-safe logic, HART pass-through and HCIR online configurationABB.
- Product Type: DIN rail mounted S800 rack fieldbus communication module
- Key Specs: DP-V1 slave interface | Built-in ModuleBus master | 500 VAC galvanic isolation | Supports HART & Hot Configuration In RunNote: Active OEM spare, new original surplus stock available; non hot-swap rated, no bus/module redundancy support; supplied with TB807 ModuleBus terminator and power connectorABB Group.
Key Technical Specifications
- Operating supply: 24 V DC ±10 %, typical draw 140 mA, max input current 2.3 A (feeds downstream S800 I/O racks)ManualsLib
- Fieldbus protocol: PROFIBUS DP-V0 cyclic data exchange + DP-V1 acyclic device diagnostics
- Supported baud rates: 9.6 kbit/s up to 12 Mbit/s, fixed or auto-detect
- Profibus physical interface: 9-pin D-SUB male RS485, integrated slide switch bus termination resistor
- ModuleBus internal bus: Drives up to 8 S800 I/O card slots per station
- Galvanic isolation: 500 VAC 1-minute dielectric separation between Profibus field side and internal ModuleBus logic
- Core supported functions:
- HCIR (Hot Configuration In Run): Add/remove I/O modules online without full system stop
- OSP (Output Safe Position): Predefined fail-safe analog/digital output state on bus loss
- HART pass-through: Routes digital HART signals for AO815/AI815 HART I/O modules
- Full per-channel I/O diagnostic aggregation (wire-break, short-circuit, supply fault)
- Unsupported S800 I/O hardware: DI825, DI830, DI831, DI885, AI880, DI880, DO880 (requires CI840 series FCI)ABB Group
- PCB coating: ISA-S71.04 G3 industrial conformal coating for mild corrosive cabinet atmospheres
- Status indicators: Multi-color front LEDs for PWR, ModuleBus RUN, Profibus BUS FAULT, HCIR active warning
- Mechanical form: Standard 35 mm DIN rail snap-in unit; IP20 protection rating
- Operating ambient: 0 °C to +55 °C continuous duty; storage -25 °C to +70 °C, 5–95 % RH non-condensingAlibaba.co…
- Hazardous certifications: ATEX Zone 2, cULus Class I Div 2 Groups A-D
- Dimensions: 85.6 mm W × 136 mm H × 58.5 mm D
- Net weight: 0.30 kg
Product Introduction
This FCI communication module is the core gateway hardware for standalone I/O racks in 800xA DCS platforms. It acts as a Profibus DP slave to the AC800M CPU’s DP master port and operates as a local master for the internal ModuleBus to scan all analog/digital I/O cards in its rack cluster.Galvanic isolation suppresses ground-loop noise from remote field cabinets and variable frequency drives, eliminating intermittent I/O value freezing or bus dropouts on long Profibus trunk runs. Native HCIR functionality avoids full process shutdown during I/O rack expansion or module replacement, while integrated HART routing removes the need for separate fieldbus multiplexers for smart valve/transmitter diagnostics.
QA & Testing SOP
- Incoming Inspection: Cross-reference serial numbers and 3BSE part code against ABB spare part databases. Inspect D-SUB Profibus connector pin integrity, TB807 terminator matching, full LED bank functionality and intact factory anti-static packaging to filter counterfeit stock.
- Live Testing: Mount the module on DIN rail test rack paired with AC800M PM865 Profibus master simulator. Run continuous 24-hour cyclic I/O scan testing across mixed AI/AO/DI/DO module sets while logging stable 24VDC supply with a Fluke 115 multimeter. Simulate Profibus trunk disconnection, ModuleBus short-circuit and HCIR module hot-add to validate OSP fail-safe state and diagnostic flag timing.
- Electrical Testing: Use a 500V Megger to measure insulation resistance between Profibus field circuit and internal ModuleBus logic; pass threshold set at ≥10 MΩ. Inject 50Hz differential ground-loop noise to confirm no random I/O communication loss.
- Firmware/Config Backup: Record factory default Profibus station address and ModuleBus scan parameters via Control Builder M engineering software. Capture high-resolution photos of D-SUB pinout and ModuleBus termination layout for field commissioning reference.
- Final QC & Packaging: Fit plastic dust cap over front D-SUB Profibus connector, bundle TB807 terminator and power plug accessories. Place the module inside foam-lined anti-static shielding bag, affix a dated QC pass label before sealing in original factory carton.
Installation Pitfalls & Guide
❗Firmware Rev Mismatch Risk: AC800M controller firmware older than v5.1.5 lacks register mapping for HCIR and HART secondary variable routing logic. Post-replacement, the DCS will fail online I/O modification and throw intermittent PROFIBUS COMM LOSS alarms. Remediation: Flash matching firmware revision to the AC800M CPU before DIN rail mounting.❗Non Hot-Swap Hardware Warning: has no official hot-swap certification. Removing or inserting while 24 V auxiliary power remains live generates destructive voltage transients that crash the entire rack ModuleBus and corrupt controller process image tables. Full rack lockout/tagout of 24 V supply is mandatory for replacement.❗ModuleBus Termination Error Risk: TB807 terminator must only be fitted to the last I/O card slot on the ModuleBus daisy chain. Missing or duplicate termination creates signal reflection, persistent scan jitter and random channel fault flags.❗Profibus Termination Misuse Risk: Front D-SUB slide termination switch only enabled for the physical end node of the Profibus trunk line; mid-station racks must disable the internal terminator to avoid bus impedance mismatch.❗ESD Dangers: Ungrounded handling exposes Profibus transceiver and ModuleBus logic traces to static discharge from dry control room air. Field records show unprotected handling burns fieldbus communication circuits; full process unit downtime labor cost exceeds $1,430. Remediation: Place anti-static mat under the DIN rail rack, wear grounded wrist strap, touch bare cabinet chassis ground for 3 seconds before handling the module.
4-step replacement guide
- Pre-install: Execute full lockout/tagout of rack 24 V auxiliary power. Photograph Profibus trunk wiring, ModuleBus daisy-chain layout and station address configured in Control Builder M; set all safety-critical modulating valves to manual bypass position.
- Removal: Depress DIN rail retention latch, slide the old module upward off the rail, disconnect D-SUB Profibus cable, 24 V power terminal block and ModuleBus ribbon cable, store unit in static-safe sleeve.
- Install: Mount new onto DIN rail, re-seat power connector, ModuleBus ribbon and Profibus D-SUB cable, set front termination switch matching trunk topology and install TB807 terminator on final I/O slot.
- Power-on Test: Restore 24 V auxiliary power first; verify front BUS RUN LED illuminates steady green, perform full Profibus slave scan to confirm all I/O channels communicate correctly, test HCIR module add operation before enabling automatic closed-loop DCS control.
FAQ
Q: Can this FCI module be hot-swapped while the rack remains powered?A: No. carries no ABB hot-swap certification. Live extraction generates voltage transients that take the entire ModuleBus offline and can permanently damage downstream I/O module communication circuits. Complete 24 V auxiliary power isolation is required for replacement.Q: Does this communication module carry original OEM factory warranty when purchased as new surplus?A: ABB factory warranty follows standard component lifecycle coverage. All surplus inventory passes full in-house bench QA testing and carries a 12-month internal stock replacement warranty, limited to manufacturing defects detected during validation testing.Q: Can CI840 serve as a direct drop-in replacement for the unit?A: DIN rail mechanical fit only. CI840 supports redundant Profibus lines, advanced high-density I/O compatibility and SIL safety I/O modules which cannot operate. Swapping CI840 requires reconfiguring bus redundancy settings in Control Builder M, field wiring pinout remains identical.Q: What minimum CPU firmware version enables full HCIR and HART pass-through support?A: controller firmware v5.1.5 or newer. Older firmware omits HCIR runtime register mapping and cannot retrieve HART secondary variable diagnostic data over DP-V1.Q: Will Profibus station address and ModuleBus scan configuration persist after module replacement?A: All bus configuration data resides in the CPU non-volatile memory; no local parameter storage on hardware. No full reconfiguration is required post-swap, only a complete Profibus slave scan verification.Q: Is the unit compatible with legacy Advant AC450 / MasterPiece DCS racks?A: No. uses ModuleBus + Profibus DP-V1 architecture exclusive to / 800xA; it has zero electrical and mechanical compatibility with Advant CEX bus CI54x series communication hardware.Q: Can multiple racks be daisy-chained off one ModuleBus port?A: Maximum 8 I/O card slots per single ModuleBus segment. Larger I/O clusters require separate modules on distinct Profibus DP slave addresses.






