ABB AC500 Motion Control: Selecting PS551-MC Solutions

Erik Lindqvist1 min read
ABBMotion ControlTechnical Reference
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Confirmed AC500 Motion Architecture

The documented AC500 option is the PS551-MC motion-control library. It provides PLCopen motion functions programmed with PS501 Control Builder and targets AC500 CPUs equipped with a Profibus DP communication module.

The available evidence does not confirm EtherCAT, CAN, or pulse-output compatibility. Treat those interfaces as open requirements and verify them against the exact AC500 CPU, communication module, drive, and engineering-software combination before selecting hardware.

Supported Drives and Motion Functions

Category Evidence-supported capability
Library PS551-MC
Programming model PLCopen functions in PS501 Control Builder
Communication AC500 CPU with a Profibus DP communication module
ABB drives ACSM1-04 xM, ACS800 +N685, and ACS350
Motion operations Speed control, positioning, homing, and drive configuration
Architecture Centralized or distributed motion control
Visualization Graphical objects for process and drive visualization and control

Selection Decision Path

  1. Define whether the application requires speed control, positioning, homing, drive configuration, or a combination of these functions.
  2. Check whether the selected drive is ACSM1-04 xM, ACS800 +N685, or ACS350. The evidence does not establish PS551-MC compatibility with other drives.
  3. Select an AC500 CPU and Profibus DP communication module that satisfy the application requirements, then confirm their compatibility with PS551-MC and PS501 Control Builder.
  4. If EtherCAT, CAN, or pulse outputs are mandatory, obtain explicit compatibility confirmation before procurement; their availability is not established by the supplied evidence.

Commissioning Verification

Verify the solution by executing the required PLCopen operations through the configured Profibus DP path. Confirm speed control, positioning, and homing individually when each function belongs to the machine sequence, and verify that drive configuration reaches the intended converter.

If visualization is required, validate the supplied graphical objects against both process status and drive behavior. A successful software build alone does not establish fieldbus communication or motion execution.

FAQ

Does ABB AC500 support PLCopen motion control?

Yes. The PS551-MC library provides PLCopen motion functions programmed with PS501 Control Builder.

Which drives are identified for the AC500 PS551-MC library?

The evidence identifies ACSM1-04 xM, ACS800 +N685, and ACS350 converters.

Can AC500 control motion over EtherCAT or CAN?

The supplied evidence confirms a Profibus DP communication-module solution only. It does not establish EtherCAT or CAN support, so verify those interfaces for the exact CPU and module before selecting hardware.

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