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We're having an ongoing issue with a project and I was curious if anyone as ever seen something like this before. Our contol panel which consists of 4 VFDs (300HP, 100HP, 30HP, and 10HP) all controlled by a PLC connected to HMI. All components are connected by ethernet cables which communicate digitally. Normally any incidents we have are isolated and normal (meaning they are infrequent and happen due to age). However, on this recent project we have noted numerous issues and have had to replace VFDs, PLC, power supplies, communication cards and the HMI all due to issues on the low voltage side.
The only thing different about this project versus every other project we have encountered is the customer has their SCADA system connected to our ethernet hub in order to remotely read alarms and status. It has been brought to my attention that this CAT5/6 cable could be sending transient voltages to our system however I wasn't sure that would cause as much damage as it has. I always thought this was the sort of thing for filtering noise.
My question is this: Has anyone seen an industrial application where a single incoming ethernet cable was the cause of internal damage to their system (similar to what we believe is happening with ours?) If so, what was done to protect the system? I have seen a number of devices that claim to protect the system but I don't know if they will actually work.
The only thing different about this project versus every other project we have encountered is the customer has their SCADA system connected to our ethernet hub in order to remotely read alarms and status. It has been brought to my attention that this CAT5/6 cable could be sending transient voltages to our system however I wasn't sure that would cause as much damage as it has. I always thought this was the sort of thing for filtering noise.
My question is this: Has anyone seen an industrial application where a single incoming ethernet cable was the cause of internal damage to their system (similar to what we believe is happening with ours?) If so, what was done to protect the system? I have seen a number of devices that claim to protect the system but I don't know if they will actually work.