Description
PHCBRC10000000R (also labeled P-HC-BRC-10000000/BRC-100) is a high-performance rack mounted bridge controller in the ABB Symphony Harmony series. Its core function is to simultaneously connect Harmony distributed I/O blocks and Harmony rack mounted I/O modules in the Symphony Enterprise management and control system, serving as a communication and computing hub between the on-site I/O layer and the upper level control logic.
core positioning
This module itself is not a simple I/O acquisition card, nor is it a simple communication gateway. It is a single board controller installed in the Symphony rack, retaining all the capabilities of the INFI 90 OPEN multifunction processor while adding dual channel communication capability to simultaneously drive the Hnet bus and I/O expansion bus. This means that a BRC-100 can simultaneously manage Harmony I/O blocks distributed throughout the site (via Hnet bus) and Harmony rack I/O modules installed in the same rack (via I/O expansion bus), without the need for additional gateway or bridge modules. In brownfield renovation scenarios, it can directly replace the MFP module in the INFI 90 OPEN system, with fully compatible functionality, communication, and packaging, and extremely low risk.
ABB PHCBRC10000000R HARMONY BRIDGE CONTROLLER
Computational and programming skills
Equipped with a 32-bit processor, the onboard non-volatile memory is used to store control algorithms and user configurations. Supports five programming languages: Function Codes, C language, BASIC, Batch 90, and Ladder, with flexible selection based on application complexity. Built in over 240 predefined advanced control algorithms and user-defined function libraries, covering four major categories of applications: continuous control, sequential control, batch control, and advanced control. Due to its large capacity memory and onboard communication ports, tasks such as supervisory control, optimization operations, performance evaluation, and process modeling that originally required an external host or small computer to handle can all be independently completed within the BRC module.
communication interface
Hnet bus: connects Harmony distributed I/O blocks, supports redundant Hnet configuration, and dual buses run simultaneously.
I/O Expander Bus: connects Harmony rack mounted I/O modules installed in the same rack.
Ethernet: used for communication with operator stations, engineer stations, and upper level systems.
Modbus RTU: Supports integration with third-party devices.
Two RS-232-C serial ports: designed for optical isolation, used to connect external devices such as PLCs. Protocol conversion is achieved through onboard C or BASIC programs, effectively blocking the grounding circuit.
Electrical Characteristics
The working power supply is 8-32V DC, with a power consumption of less than 50mW. The module implements electrical isolation of no less than 2.5kV between the bus side and the field side, and has overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and surge protection. Automatically detect the electrical ID of the module when powered on, and refuse to enter the running state when it does not match the system configuration.
Redundancy capability
Support BRC module level redundancy, achieve bumpless transfer between primary and backup modules, and control logic is not interrupted and I/O data is not lost during the switching process. The redundant Hnet bus ensures that the communication link also has redundant protection.
Physical specifications
The dimensions are 20.3cm (width) x 5.1cm (height) x 2.5cm (depth), approximately 8.0 inches x 2.0 inches x 1.0 inches, occupying a single slot in the rack. Net weight is approximately 0.4kg (13 ounces). Rack mounted installation, onboard LED indicator lights display real-time power status, communication activity, and fault information. The working temperature range is -25 ° C to+85 ° C, which meets the environmental requirements of the vast majority of industrial sites. Support hot plugging, replacement during operation does not affect the system.
Differences from similar modules
The Symphony Harmony series has three types of rack controllers: BRC-100/200 (bridge controller) and IMMFP11/12 (multifunction processor). The core difference is that BRC can support both block I/O and rack I/O simultaneously, while multifunctional processors only support rack I/O. If there are both Harmony distributed I/O blocks and rack I/O modules on site, BRC is the only controller model that can manage both simultaneously without the need for additional communication adapters.
Typical Applications
The monitoring and auxiliary system control of thermal power and gas turbine units in the power industry, the integration of intelligent transmitters and actuators in the petrochemical industry, the motor control center in the metallurgical industry, and the continuous process control of water and paper industries. In brownfield renovation, BRC-100 can directly replace the MFP module of INFI 90 OPEN, utilizing its dual bus capability to simultaneously connect old Network 90 field devices and newly installed Harmony I/O without the need to re plan the communication architecture.
