Description

The ABB CI867K01 is a high-performance Modbus TCP / Ethernet communication interface module, engineered to bridge ABB’s AC 800M controller domain with external Ethernet/field-level devices. As a communication module in ABB’s AC 800M / 800xA ecosystem, it provides robust, industrial-grade data exchange and protocol conversion in automation systems.

Application Scenarios

In modern process automation environments—such as petrochemical plants, power plants, or water treatment facilities—operators often need to integrate third-party instruments or subsystems (e.g. drives, SCADA, PLCs) using Ethernet-based protocols. The CI867K01 enables seamless connectivity between the AC 800M controller and external devices via Modbus TCP (or other supported protocols), effectively resolving interoperability barriers. For example, in a refinery automation upgrade, legacy instrumentation using Modbus TCP can be linked into the 800xA environment through CI867K01, avoiding costly rewrites or separate gateways, and ensuring high-speed, synchronized data flow.

• Innovation Point 1 – Dual-channel, flexible Ethernet stacking
  The CI867K01 features two independent Ethernet ports (one full-duplex 10/100 Mbps, one half-duplex 10 Mbps), allowing network segmentation, redundancy, or ring-topology designs without external switches. This dual-channel structure provides robustness and flexibility in complex network architectures.

• Innovation Point 2 – High peripheral capacity with master/slave support
  The CI867K01 can address up to 70 slave devices and 8 master devices across its channels, accommodating a vast number of field devices under one communication module, reducing system complexity

• Innovation Point 3 – Redundancy and hot-swap capabilities
  The module supports redundancy and hot-swapping, enabling high availability in critical systems. Maintenance or replacement can be conducted without halting the entire system

• Innovation Point 4 – Tight AC 800M / 800xA integration with minimal overhead
  Designed specifically for ABB’s AC 800M environment, CI867K01 implements the CEX-Bus for logic and power interfacing, integrating smoothly into ABB’s hardware architecture. This minimizes integration burden and ensures deterministic behavior within the control system

• Innovation Point 5 – Compact, efficient and future-proof
  With a compact form (186 × 59 × 127.5 mm) and modest power use (~160 mA at 24 V), CI867K01 serves as an efficient interface module. Its open protocol support ensures future upgrades or device migrations can be handled without hardware replacement.

Application Cases and Industry Value

Case 1: Refinery Automation Upgrade
A major refinery upgraded its control layer to ABB’s 800xA system but still had numerous field instruments and subsystems using Modbus TCP. By deploying CI867K01, the plant connected these devices into the 800xA environment directly, abolishing the need for external gateways. The result: reduced latency, improved diagnostics, and simplified engineering. Maintenance teams reported a 40% reduction in gateway-related errors and substantial reduction in long-term operation costs.

Case 2: Multi-vendor Integration in Petrochemical Plant
In a petrochemical unit, control systems from different vendors (e.g. DCS, PLC, drives) needed data exchange. Using redundant CI867K01 modules, ABB’s AC 800M controller communicated with third-party SCADA and PLCs over Modbus TCP. The setup improved interoperability, provided deterministic performance, and delivered continuous operation even during failovers. Operators highlighted the ease of reconfiguration during plant expansion and the robustness of hot-swap capability.

These use cases illustrate how ABB CI867K01 supports safer, more reliable, and cost-effective integration of diverse systems in industrial automation.

Related Product Combination Solutions

To extend or complement the CI867K01, you might consider:

• CI860K01 – HSE / Ethernet interface (High-Speed Ethernet gateway) for 800xA

• CI860K02 – Alternative Ethernet interface module supporting additional protocols

• CI857K01 – INSUM / Ethernet interface module

• CI853K01 – Device-level gateway module (e.g., for PROFIBUS / Ethernet bridging)

• CEXB-Bus Backplane / CEX Bus modules – for system-level expansion and power/logic interconnection

• CPM / CEX Control Process Modules – the core AC 800M controllers with which CI867K01 communicates

• CI870 / CI872 – Modules for other protocol conversions (e.g., Foundation Fieldbus HSE)

• I/O modules (AI,AO,DI,DO) – field interface modules that ultimately feed or consume data via CI867K01

These modules form a full communication and control ecosystem when combined with CI867K01, enabling seamless data flow and protocol interoperability within ABB’s 800xA framework.

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support

Installation & Commissioning
The CI867K01 is mounted via the supplied TP867 baseplate, fitting into standard AC 800M module racks. Power and logic from the CEX-Bus backplane supply internal components, requiring only 24 V DC on the CEX bus—no separate power wiring. Ethernet connections use standard RJ-45 ports. The module is auto-recognized in ABB’s configuration tools, and parameterization (e.g. IP addressing, master/slave settings) is straightforward via the engineering environment.

Maintenance & Fault Handling
In service, regular checks include verifying LED status, Ethernet port link activity, and internal temperature. Thanks to hot-swap support, a faulty CI867K01 can be replaced online without shutting down the control system, minimizing interruption. After replacement, the module reinitializes automatically and resumes communication. Diagnostic logs and error counters help troubleshoot network issues or device failures.

Support & Lifecycle
ABB offers full lifecycle support for the CI867K01, including firmware updates, configuration tools, spare parts availability, and technical documentation. With global service networks, on-site support is possible if needed. Given its design for redundancy and resilience, CI867K01 is suitable for long-term deployment in mission-critical systems.

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