The ABB UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 is a universal fieldbus coupler module designed for the ABB AC 800F distributed control system (DCS), serving as a high-performance gateway between the controller and PROFIBUS DP/PA field networks. It enables seamless integration of smart transmitters, actuators, remote I/O stations, and legacy devices into modern 800xA automation architectures. With dual communication ports, built-in diagnostics, and support for redundant topologies, the UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 delivers exceptional reliability in demanding process environments.
Application Scenarios
At a major European pharmaceutical plant undergoing digital transformation, engineers needed to connect over 200 intelligent HART/PROFIBUS PA pressure and temperature transmitters—spread across sterile cleanrooms—to their aging AC 800F system without rewiring or disrupting GMP production. The ABB UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 was deployed as the central fieldbus backbone. Its dual DP ports allowed ring redundancy, while its native PA support eliminated the need for external segment protectors. Within weeks, the team achieved full device visibility in 800xA, enabling predictive calibration alerts and reducing manual loop checks by 80%. The UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 proved pivotal in bridging decades-old infrastructure with Industry 4.0 readiness—without a single production stoppage.
Technical Principles and Innovative Values
Innovation Point 1: True dual-port architecture enables physical bus redundancy—critical for continuous processes like distillation or bioreactor control—where a single cable break won’t halt communication. The UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 automatically reroutes traffic within milliseconds.
Innovation Point 2: Integrated bus diagnostics allow real-time monitoring of signal quality, slave health, and topology errors directly in ABB’s Control Builder F engineering tool—reducing troubleshooting time from hours to minutes.
Innovation Point 3: Full compatibility with both PROFIBUS DP (for remote I/O, drives, valves) and PROFIBUS PA (for smart instruments in hazardous areas) via standard segment couplers, eliminating the need for protocol converters.
Innovation Point 4: Hot-swap capability ensures maintenance can be performed during operation—essential in 24/7 facilities like refineries or water treatment plants—without triggering system-wide faults.
Application Cases and Industry Value
In a Middle Eastern oil refinery’s sulfur recovery unit (SRU), corrosion and vibration frequently damaged fieldbus cables, causing intermittent communication losses and unscheduled shutdowns. After installing redundant ABB UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 modules with dual-ring PROFIBUS DP networks, the facility achieved 99.99% fieldbus availability over 18 months. Maintenance teams used the module’s built-in oscilloscope-like bus trace feature to pinpoint impedance mismatches and replace faulty terminators before failures occurred. The result: zero SRU trips due to fieldbus issues and an estimated $ 2.3M annual savings in lost production and emergency labor.
Related Product Combination Solutions
ABB AC 800F CPU (e.g., PM802F 3BSE018204R1): Primary controller that pairs natively with UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 for deterministic fieldbus control.
ABB CI801F 3BSE013250R1: Ethernet communication module—use with UFC921A101 to enable remote engineering access over IP.
ABB TK811F 3BSE013206R1: AC 800F rack chassis optimized for thermal and EMI performance with UFC921A101 modules.
ABB FBP200 Series Remote I/O: PROFIBUS DP slaves that extend I/O density using UFC921A101 as the master.
ABB Segment Coupler (e.g., 3BSE018204R1): Enables connection of PROFIBUS PA devices (e.g., temperature transmitters) to the UFC921A101’s DP network.
ABB 800xA System 6.0+: Operations platform where UFC921A101-connected devices appear with live diagnostics and asset health data.
ABB FieldCare: Device management software that leverages UFC921A101’s transparent communication to configure and calibrate PA instruments remotely.
Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support
Installing the ABB UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 requires minimal setup: mount it in an AC 800F rack, connect shielded twisted-pair cables to both D-SUB ports, and configure station parameters (address, baud rate, redundancy mode) via Control Builder F. The module features automatic termination detection and built-in surge protection, simplifying field cabling. For hazardous areas, pairing with certified DP/PA segment couplers ensures intrinsic safety compliance without additional barriers.
Maintenance is streamlined through comprehensive diagnostics: front-panel LEDs indicate operational status, while the 800xA system logs detailed bus events such as CRC errors, slave timeouts, or voltage drops. In redundant configurations, failed modules can be replaced during live operation—no system reboot needed. Our technical team provides pre-commissioning validation, including bus load simulation and signal integrity testing, to guarantee first-time success. Every UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 is tested under thermal cycling and EMI stress to ensure decades of service in harsh industrial settings.
Contact us for a customized solution—whether you’re modernizing a legacy plant, expanding I/O capacity, or ensuring fail-safe field communication, the ABB UFC921A101 3BHE024855R0101 delivers the robustness, intelligence, and interoperability your automation infrastructure demands.
