Per: BRUNO FRANCO LOPES (RUSSULA DO BRASIL), BRUNO SABENÇA (RUSSULA DO BRASIL), ALEXANDRE SHULTZ (RUSSULA DO BRASIL)
Abstract:
This article refers to an electrical/electronic modernization project of the automation system and drives of Continuous Casting Machine nº 4 of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) in Volta Redonda/RJ. This project involves the replacement of ABB AC450 type PLCs by new Siemens S7-400 and ABB DCS500 drives by new DCS880. With this new technology, it becomes possible to modernize the communication network, removing the obsolete APC and PLC AC450 cards, which have been discontinued and no longer have support and commercialization. The modernization was carried out in two phases: the first involved the replacement of 58 direct current drives of the two continuous casting segments in a period of 3 days; and the second involved the replacement of 4 PLCs and 14 Remotes, with approximately 4000 I/O points, in a period of 13 days. Each phase was composed of a detailed execution plan, which includes steps such as planning the exchange of systems, developing an executive project, pre-assembly, studying the existing control system, preparing and testing networks, tagging cables and modules, installation and testing of new equipment, among others. In addition, each phase has a shutdown schedule that provides for the replacement of equipment, verification, testing and commissioning and start-up and assisted operation.