Welcome to the new Advant Power bulletin

I'm pleased to bring you our latest Advant newsletter, intended for users of the ABB Advant Power control system.

This issue includes a feature article about an Advant control system upgrade as well as news about software releases, an updated life cycle plan and FAQ for the Advant controller 160, and information about Advant platform solutions for Windows XP systems.

Aging operator stations and information management systems at a combined cycle power plant were replaced with up-to-date control technology that flexibly integrated existing controllers, and replaced obsolete HMI and historian systems.

Elsewhere, we highlight ABB’s riskmitigating solutions for Windows XP users, including Advant platform solutions for XP obsolescence. The new release of 800xA Version 6.0 (which fully supports connectivity to Advant Master and AC160 system) is featured, as is the new version of the Advant Master engineering tool,Control Builder A1.4.

Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is the general support status of AC160 for power generation customers?
For power generation customers, the product line is continued to be supported for all types of projects. This extended life cycle support will be provided by the Global Execution Center (GEC) for Advant Power within BU Power Generation in Switzerland.

What is the support status of my EGATROL and TURBOTROL turbine control solutions?
The EGATROL and TURBOTROL turbine control solutions are fully supported by ABB Power Generation. Evolution and migration solutions will be made available to allow for seamless and continued operation of your plant even beyond the lifetime of the Advant Controller 160.

What is the lifecycle commitment for Advant Controller 160 and S600 I/Os?
The lifecycle policy for AC160 and S600 I/O is defined by the System 800xA Life Cycle Policy. Minimum lifecycle commitment is according to Advant Master 100 Series lifecycle Plan currently until 2017. An updated version of the plan is released on a regular basis.

What is the impact of this change on the Advant Controller450 and related products?
The AC450 controller and its related products are not affected by this change and remain in Active lifecycle phase until further notice. Any change of the lifecycle will be communicated according System 800xA Life Cycle Policy in due time. Details can be found in the Advant Master 400 series lifecycle plan (3BSE070734). An updated version of the plan is released on a regular basis.

Hardware
Can I still get spare parts and AC160 hardware for extensions?
Yes, the AC160 platform is continued to be maintained and Advant Controller 160 parts are in production and available. 

How can I order spare parts?
Spare part orders can be placed at your local ABB Power Generation sales office or at the GEC Advant Power in Switzerland (see contacts page).

Can I still get updates for my AC160 system software?
For Automation Sentinel subscribers, the latest available and functionally equivalent Advant Controller 160 software will be delivered at no additional license cost. For those customers who are not current subscribers, we recommend subscribing to Automation Sentinel in order to receive the available support, maintenance and upgrades to their system in the future.

Software
What is the support status of related software products to the Advant Controller 160?
Related basic platform products as the integration to System 800xA (800xA for AC 100), AC 100 OPC Server and the Control Builder A engineering tool remain in Active lifecycle phase. Any change will be communicated in time according to System 800xA lifecycle policy.

What is the support status of the Advant Power Control (APC)
products?
The following Advant Power Control (APC) products supplied by ABB Power Generation are fully supported and maintained: APC for AC450 Controller Library (UDPC Version)
––Option 10 for AC160 Controller
––APC Engineering Extensions for Control Builder A
––APC AC450 for 800xA
––APC AC160 for 800xA
Upgrade paths for older products and versions exist. Please contact your local ABB sales office or the GEC Advant Power in Switzerland for any question about ordering and upgrading of these products.

How can I order software upgrades for basic platform products or APC products?
Upgrade orders can be placed at your local ABB Power Generation sales office or at the GEC Advant Power in Switzerland (see contacts page)