Emerson Exchange 365

A very common challenge when scoping a brownfield system migration is a lack of space to accommodate new equipment so that field wiring can be routed to a new system. Many factors must be considered when faced with a severe real estate constraint and what to do about it:

• Is it feasible to retrofit and reuse existing cabinets?
• Would a phased migration free up space over time?
• How well is the existing IO segregated per controller and process areas?
• Is it feasible to expand existing rooms or construct a new building?
• Is it feasible to move the I/O out to the field?

When Emerson introduced Electronic Marshaling in 2009 there was some initial trepidation about mounting CHARMs in the field, but over time this option has proven itself to be feasible in all kinds of locations and environments. In the case of brownfield projects, the option to bypass and subsequently demolish marshaling panels, junction boxes, tray, conduit and miles of wires will reclaim space, clean-up the area and make working conditions for maintenance safer and easier. However, more often than not sites never “get around” to actually doing demolition. Why is that?

• The cost is not budgeted in the project or the project runs out of money
• It might impact production
• It’s never a priority for limited resources

Would be interested to hear comments from end-users on this topic.