ABB Advant Controller 110/160
Stop the clock on industrial downtime. When your core control "brain" fails, the manufacturer’s lead times can be a death sentence for your production. Moore Automation acts as the "extra-grade emergency warehouse" for industrial giants, maintaining a massive inventory of hard-to-find and discontinued ABB AC110 and AC160 modules. Whether you are supporting a 20-year-old power plant or a critical refinery, we provide the exact parts you need with immediate delivery and a one-year independent warranty.
1. Application Scenarios: Where do AC110 and AC160 fit?
- Safety-Critical & Nuclear Applications: If your facility requires a system with a proven "pedigree" for Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) protection or high-integrity turbine control (gas, steam, or hydro), the AC160 is the industry standard. It is the core of the Westinghouse Common Q™ platform, specifically designed for high-reliability environments.
- High-Demand Multiprocessing: For complex logic that requires massive computational power, the AC160 supports up to six PM646A or PM665 processors working in parallel within a single subrack.
- Standard Industrial Logic: For general plant automation where cost-efficiency is a priority but reliability cannot be sacrificed, the AC110 remains a robust choice for medium-scale tasks.
2. Processor Selection Logic: Fail-Safe Replacements
- The PM645 Failure Path: If your existing PM645A or PM645C modules have failed, these are no longer available from the manufacturer. The PM645B is the official direct replacement, offering full compatibility for redundant processing and high-speed links.
- Maximum Performance: For systems facing processing bottlenecks or requiring high-speed execution, select the PM665. It is PowerPC-based and provides the highest performance level in the Advant series.
- The Safety Choice: The PM646A is the essential component for safety-related systems, featuring an integrated Window Watchdog Timer (WWDT) relay that provides a conservative failure response to ensure plant safety.
3. Communication Interface: Twisted Pair vs. Coaxial
Selecting the right interface depends on your physical bus media:
- For Coaxial Networks: Use the CI626 (AC110) or CI630 (AC160).
- For Twisted Pair Networks: Use the CI627 (AC110) or CI631 (AC160).
- Distance Constraint: Note that these systems generally support a maximum bus length of 2000 meters. While some extensions exist, the AC110 and AC160 are primarily optimized for this distance.
4. Decision Guide: AC110 vs. AC160 – Selecting Your Brain
Not sure which module fits your current system? Use this quick comparison to help your procurement team make a fast, accurate decision.
| Feature |
Advant Controller 110 (AC110) |
Advant Controller 160 (AC160) |
| Primary Use |
Economical logic control for medium-scale industrial tasks. |
High-performance, multi-processing for critical safety and turbine control. |
| Performance |
Reliable logic control via standard AF100 bus. |
Massive processing power; supports up to six PM646A processors in one chassis. |
| Redundancy |
Standard availability. |
Full spectrum redundancy: CPU, power supply, and I/O for 99.9999% availability. |
| Typical CPU |
Integrated logic processors. |
PM646A (Safety-grade) or PM665 (PowerPC-based for high performance). |
| I/O Support |
Primarily S600 I/O modules. |
Both rack-based S600 and rail-mounted S800 I/O systems. |
5. Purchasing Suggestions: Why Moore Automation?
- Avoid Forced "Rip-and-Replace" Upgrades: ABB has moved the AC110/160 to the "Classic" and "Limited" lifecycle phases, meaning the support of the original factory is often restricted or tied to expensive system-wide upgrades to 800xA. Moore Automation allows you to extend your existing asset life for another decade without the million-dollar price tag of a full migration.
- Exact Hardware Matches: We stock critical communication interfaces like the CI626 (for coaxial media) and CI627/CI631 (for twisted pair), ensuring seamless integration into your current AF100 network.
- Ready-to-Ship Replacements: If your PM645A or PM645C module has failed, we provide the PM645B, which is the official direct replacement for these discontinued units.
Secure Peak Industrial Resilience
Operational stability demands the strategic acquisition of mission-critical assets to prevent the catastrophic costs of downtime. Moore Automation provides immediate availability for the specific hardware necessary to meet production targets, ranging from high-performance, PowerPC-based PM646A processors to essential CI series communication interfaces. By serving as a definitive hub for discontinued ABB Advant Controller 110 and 160 components, this emergency warehouse removes the risks associated with equipment obsolescence.
Facilities remain optimized for continuous output, effectively extending the lifecycle of legacy systems by over a decade while bypassing the multi-million dollar expense of forced system-wide migrations. Every module is rigorously performance-tested and delivered with a one-year independent warranty, guaranteeing peak reliability and 99.9999% availability for even the most demanding power and petroleum sectors.
FAQ: Solving Your Buyer Doubts
Q: Are these modules compatible with my existing software?
A: Yes. The hardware is fully compatible with your existing AMPL programming and Control Builder A (CBA) configurations. Simply load your .AAX and .BAX source files into the replacement module to restore operation.
Q: My current module has a "FAULT" light; how do I know what to replace?
A: If the red FAULT LED is lit, the module likely has a fatal hardware error and must be replaced. If the Green RUN LED is off, the processing section is no longer operational.
Q: What is the condition of your stock?
A: We offer a variety of options, including "Used and in Excellent Condition" and refurbished units. Every module is strictly performance-tested to ensure it meets original factory specifications.
Q: If an existing system uses the discontinued PM645A or PM645C processor, is a full system reconfiguration required for a replacement?
A: No. The PM645B is the official direct replacement for the discontinued PM645A and PM645C modules. It provides full compatibility for redundant processing, high-speed links (HSL), and rotational speed signal inputs, allowing for a hardware-level swap without a "rip-and-replace" overhaul of the existing cabinet.
Q: What is the most effective way to address processing bottlenecks in a heavily loaded AC160 system?
A: For facilities requiring maximum computational power or handling complex logic, the PM665 processor module is the recommended high-performance choice. Based on PowerPC architecture, the PM665 is designed for redundant processing and applications with the most demanding performance requirements in the Advant series.