Technical Advisory Bulletin #196

Subject: Spurious Tricon I/O Module Diagnostic Faults

Affected Products All input/output modules installed in Tricon v10.2 and later systems, except Models 3625, 3625A, 3625N, 3720, 3721, and 3721N Problem Description In a small number of cases, users of the Model 3503E or 3503EN2 24 VAC/VDC Digital Input Module have reported a specific diagnostic error when the module is installed in chassis 2, slot 4, left side. With the exception of actual failures of the module hardware, these occurrences have been attributed to the module falsely diagnosing a hardware failure. This error has never compromised the ability of the module to perform its intended function. Background All Tricon I/O modules continuously perform diagnostic tests to detect hardware failures. In this case, the diagnostic is testing the module circuitry that prevents I/O bus corruption in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. Occasionally, this diagnostic test fails even if there is no underlying hardware fault. A loss of communication then appears on the channel that detects the failure. The following is an example of the events that are logged when this failure occurs:

The remaining two channels continue to operate normally, without the possibility of this problem occurring on another channel. This problem has been reported only in Tricon systems that also have one or more of the following modules installed, in addition to the affected module: Model 3625/3625A/3625N 24V Supervised/Non-Supervised Digital Output Module Model 3720 0-5V Single-Ended Analog Input Module Model 3721/3721N +/-5V Differential Analog Input Module

Invensys Global Customer Support (GCS) Center

http://support.ips.invensys.com

+1-866-746-6477 (toll-free, US & Canada) +1-508-549-2424 (worldwide)

Technical Advisory Bulletin 196

May 29, 2012

Part No. 9791006-196

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If you do not have one of the above modules installed, you will not experience this problem. Operational Restrictions and Recommended Actions If your Tricon system experiences the problem described above, please do both of the following: Follow normal maintenance procedures to replace the failing module. The failed module does not need to be returned for repair since there is no hardware fault on the module. It may be returned to your spare module pool. To assist us in gathering additional information about this problem as we work towards a solution, contact Global Customer Support to report the occurrence of this problem in your system.

A fix for this problem is not currently available. However, Invensys is committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible. After the fix has been released, this TAB will be revised and a Customer Notification will be sent to all registered users of the Invensys Global Customer Support web site that have selected the Triconex brand as a product family in which they are interested. If you have any questions regarding this TAB, please contact the Global Customer Support Center, or your local Invensys office.

2012 by Invensys Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Invensys, the Invensys logo, Triconex and Tricon are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries and affiliates. All other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Technical Advisory Bulletin 196

May 29, 2012

Part No. 9791006-196