ABB PLCs control Schindler transit escalators
March 19, 2009 – The Schindler Group (Schindler), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of elevators and escalators, recently chose ABB to supply controls for all transit escalators it installs in the United States. Schindler selected ABB over several competitive brands based on a thorough evaluation of features, flexibility and ease of use. ABB controls have already begun to be installed in a variety of transit escalator systems throughout the country.
Schindler Transit Escalators
Schindler produces two major categories of escalators in the United States: commercial and transit. For commercial escalators, such as those installed in malls, Schindler uses its own proprietary controls. However, in more heavy-duty transit escalators, Schindler’s proprietary controls do not meet specifications.
According to Christophoros Anayiotos, Schindler Electrical Department Supervisor, Schindler was responsible for installing escalators for New York City Transit, New Jersey Port Authority Transit, Boston’s MBTA, Chicago’s CTA, and BART in San Francisco. Transit authorities like these prefer to avoid proprietary controls so that they are not completely reliant on the escalator manufacturer. “Typically, project specs demand controls from an outside manufacturer so that it can be used for support, purchases and maintenance of the agreement,” said Christophoros.
The Selection Process
With these restrictions, Schindler initially chose one of ABB’s competitors to produce control systems for its transit escalators. Within several years, it decided to re-evaluate that decision. It conducted a very in-depth assessment that analyzed whether various manufacturers could meet its system requirements. Schindler also looked at the tradition of companies, the support offered and cost. “Specifically, we evaluated memory, processor, cycle execution time, features, flexibility and user friendliness,” said Christophoros.
ABB Surpasses Competition
One specific area in which ABB surpassed its competitors was its Internet TCP/IP connection and other flexible communication ports. Schindler wanted to build its system based on the TCP/IP communication network with redundant PLCs. In addition, it also wanted to have the flexibility of using other networks if necessary, for example, to communicate with third-party peripheral vision networks. ABB’s four configurable ports offer 11 built-in buses, a significant and unique advantage in the industry.
ABB success stories
Another benefit that especially appealed to Schindler was common hardware/software platforms for all sizes of applications. “A single software package for the entire range of sizes and applications is unheard of in the PLC world,” said Chris Jeffrey, Business Development Area Manager in ABB’s Automation Products Department. “This makes ABB much more user-friendly than its competitors.”
ABB also stood apart from other brands in its use of generic, widely-accepted and easy-to use development tools. ABB uses CoDeSys, the most popular IEC61131-3 programming environment on the market. If, for some reason, Schindler needed to migrate to a different manufacturer, the transition would be a relatively easy process. ABB chooses to provide customer freedom where the more common PLC path is to restrict customer choice by being proprietary. “With many of the other systems, we would essentially have been locked in without many options of migrating to other PLC manufacturers,” said Christophoros. “We make a point of bringing this up to our customers who appreciate these types of options.” Once the evaluation process was complete, Schindler chose the ABB AC500 system, PM591 to use for all its controls.
Schindler Incorporates ABB VFDs
In addition to ABB PLCs, Schindler also uses ABB ACS800 VFDs with their escalators. These drives enable the escalator to start, even when the unit is under full load, because of ABBs Direct Torque Control features. With these systems, Schindler became the first manufacturer to offer escalators that could start under full weight. “This is critical when you need the unit to run in the other direction,” said Christophoros. “For example, in emergency evacuations, it is very important for the escalator to be able to start with people on the escalator. The ABB system makes this possible.”
ABB Controls in High-Profile Locations
Currently, ABB PLCs have been installed to control escalators in New York City’s World Trade Center subway station. This is the first new subway station built in NYC in more than fifty years. Schindler has already installed more than thirty escalators, including ones in the Boston and Chicago Transit Systems. A variety of other projects are in the works and Schindler anticipates installing many more systems over the course of the next several years.
“Overall, we’ve been very pleased in our relationship with ABB,” said Christophoros. “Beyond providing high-quality products, they’ve also become our solution partner. They’ve developed ways to meet specific demands and provide flexibilities that their competitors cannot. We’re looking forward to using their products in many more upcoming projects.”
About ABB
ABB ((暫不可見(jiàn))) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people.
Schindler Transit Escalators
Schindler produces two major categories of escalators in the United States: commercial and transit. For commercial escalators, such as those installed in malls, Schindler uses its own proprietary controls. However, in more heavy-duty transit escalators, Schindler’s proprietary controls do not meet specifications.
According to Christophoros Anayiotos, Schindler Electrical Department Supervisor, Schindler was responsible for installing escalators for New York City Transit, New Jersey Port Authority Transit, Boston’s MBTA, Chicago’s CTA, and BART in San Francisco. Transit authorities like these prefer to avoid proprietary controls so that they are not completely reliant on the escalator manufacturer. “Typically, project specs demand controls from an outside manufacturer so that it can be used for support, purchases and maintenance of the agreement,” said Christophoros.
The Selection Process
With these restrictions, Schindler initially chose one of ABB’s competitors to produce control systems for its transit escalators. Within several years, it decided to re-evaluate that decision. It conducted a very in-depth assessment that analyzed whether various manufacturers could meet its system requirements. Schindler also looked at the tradition of companies, the support offered and cost. “Specifically, we evaluated memory, processor, cycle execution time, features, flexibility and user friendliness,” said Christophoros.
ABB Surpasses Competition
One specific area in which ABB surpassed its competitors was its Internet TCP/IP connection and other flexible communication ports. Schindler wanted to build its system based on the TCP/IP communication network with redundant PLCs. In addition, it also wanted to have the flexibility of using other networks if necessary, for example, to communicate with third-party peripheral vision networks. ABB’s four configurable ports offer 11 built-in buses, a significant and unique advantage in the industry.
ABB success stories
Another benefit that especially appealed to Schindler was common hardware/software platforms for all sizes of applications. “A single software package for the entire range of sizes and applications is unheard of in the PLC world,” said Chris Jeffrey, Business Development Area Manager in ABB’s Automation Products Department. “This makes ABB much more user-friendly than its competitors.”
ABB also stood apart from other brands in its use of generic, widely-accepted and easy-to use development tools. ABB uses CoDeSys, the most popular IEC61131-3 programming environment on the market. If, for some reason, Schindler needed to migrate to a different manufacturer, the transition would be a relatively easy process. ABB chooses to provide customer freedom where the more common PLC path is to restrict customer choice by being proprietary. “With many of the other systems, we would essentially have been locked in without many options of migrating to other PLC manufacturers,” said Christophoros. “We make a point of bringing this up to our customers who appreciate these types of options.” Once the evaluation process was complete, Schindler chose the ABB AC500 system, PM591 to use for all its controls.
Schindler Incorporates ABB VFDs
In addition to ABB PLCs, Schindler also uses ABB ACS800 VFDs with their escalators. These drives enable the escalator to start, even when the unit is under full load, because of ABBs Direct Torque Control features. With these systems, Schindler became the first manufacturer to offer escalators that could start under full weight. “This is critical when you need the unit to run in the other direction,” said Christophoros. “For example, in emergency evacuations, it is very important for the escalator to be able to start with people on the escalator. The ABB system makes this possible.”
ABB Controls in High-Profile Locations
Currently, ABB PLCs have been installed to control escalators in New York City’s World Trade Center subway station. This is the first new subway station built in NYC in more than fifty years. Schindler has already installed more than thirty escalators, including ones in the Boston and Chicago Transit Systems. A variety of other projects are in the works and Schindler anticipates installing many more systems over the course of the next several years.
“Overall, we’ve been very pleased in our relationship with ABB,” said Christophoros. “Beyond providing high-quality products, they’ve also become our solution partner. They’ve developed ways to meet specific demands and provide flexibilities that their competitors cannot. We’re looking forward to using their products in many more upcoming projects.”
About ABB
ABB ((暫不可見(jiàn))) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 120,000 people.
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