HIMA F8000 Series Modules: F8627 AUSG F8627.03

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

HIMA F8000 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The HIMA F8000 series represents one of the most widely deployed safety-rated programmable controller platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical complexes, nuclear power facilities, offshore platforms, and refinery process units, the F8000 architecture is certified to IEC 61508 SIL 3 and is recognized by TÜV Rheinland as a reference implementation for high-availability safety instrumented systems (SIS). Its modular backplane design allows mixed I/O and communication configurations within a single rack, making it the preferred platform for brownfield upgrades where legacy signal wiring must be preserved. Installed base estimates place the F8000 series in active service at over 3,000 facilities worldwide, with a significant concentration in European and Middle Eastern refining infrastructure.

The Evolution of F8000 Architecture

The F8000 platform was introduced by HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH in the early 1990s as a successor to the H41q/H51q relay-based safety systems. The initial release established the core backplane bus standard and the modular CPU/I/O separation that defines the series. Key architectural milestones include:

Generation 1 (F8000 Classic): Fixed-rack topology with proprietary HIMA SafeEthernet protocol precursor. CPU modules such as the F8650E operated at limited scan rates and supported only point-to-point peer communication. Backplane bandwidth was constrained to 10 Mbit/s equivalent throughput.

Generation 2 (F8000 with SafeEthernet): Introduction of the SafeEthernet communication layer, enabling peer-to-peer safety data exchange over standard Ethernet infrastructure. Modules such as the F8627 and F8628 were introduced to serve as dedicated Ethernet gateways, decoupling safety logic from network topology changes. This generation also introduced redundant CPU configurations (1oo2D architecture).

Generation 3 (F8000 with PADT integration): Full integration with HIMA's ELOP II Factory engineering environment. Diagnostic coverage increased to DC ≥ 99% on critical I/O channels. Modules became firmware-upgradeable via the backplane without rack removal.

Compatibility Note: F8000 modules are not forward-compatible with the HIMA HIMatrix or HIMax platforms. Facilities planning migration from F8000 to HIMax must perform a full I/O remapping exercise. Backplane connectors, power supply rails, and communication protocols are architecturally distinct between generations.

F8000 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly stocked modules within the HIMA F8000 series. Classifications follow HIMA's internal module taxonomy.

Communication & Ethernet Modules

F8627 AUSG F8627.03: SafeEthernet output communication module, rack-mount, SIL 3 rated
F8628: SafeEthernet input communication module, peer data reception, redundancy-capable
F8621: PROFIBUS DP master module, baud rate up to 12 Mbit/s, DPV1 support
F8622: PROFIBUS DP slave module, cyclic data exchange, 244-byte I/O
F8629: Modbus TCP gateway module, transparent protocol bridging to DCS layer

CPU & Controller Modules

F8650E: Central processing unit, 1oo1 architecture, ELOP II compatible
F8651E: Redundant CPU module, 1oo2D voting, hot-standby switchover <10 ms
F8652: High-speed CPU, extended memory, supports up to 64 I/O modules per rack
F8655: CPU with integrated SafeEthernet port, eliminates need for separate F8627 in small configurations

Digital Input (DI) Modules

F3236: 16-channel 24 VDC digital input, SIL 3, short-circuit detection per channel
F3330: 32-channel digital input, 24 VDC, high-density rack configuration
F3237: 8-channel digital input, 120/230 VAC, galvanic isolation, field-side diagnostics

Digital Output (DO) Modules

F3416: 16-channel 24 VDC digital output, SIL 3, load current monitoring per channel
F3430: 8-channel relay output module, 230 VAC / 5 A per contact, mechanical life >10⁷ operations
F3422: 16-channel transistor output, 0.5 A per channel, cross-circuit detection

Analog Input (AI) Modules

F6217: 8-channel analog input, 4–20 mA / 0–10 V selectable, 16-bit resolution, SIL 2
F6220: 4-channel HART-capable analog input, device parameter passthrough to DCS

Power Supply Modules

F7130: 24 VDC rack power supply, 10 A output, redundant pair capable, hot-swap
F7131: 48 VDC variant power supply, for extended-distance field wiring applications

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete F8000 Parts

HIMA has formally transitioned new project engineering to the HIMax platform. The F8000 series is in the maintenance and lifecycle support phase, meaning no new production orders are accepted for most module types. This creates a structural supply gap for facilities operating F8000-based SIS that are not yet scheduled for platform migration.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for F8000 series modules, including end-of-life SKUs such as the F8627 AUSG F8627.03, F8650E, and F3236. Sourcing channels include:

— Decommissioned plant equipment from refinery turnarounds and shutdowns
— Certified refurbishment of pulled units with full functional restoration
— Cross-regional inventory pooling from partner warehouses in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia

All sourced F8000 modules are accompanied by a test report, photographic condition documentation, and a 12-month warranty against functional failure. Emergency shipment with 48-hour dispatch is available for critical SIS maintenance scenarios.

Quality Control for the F8000 Range

The F8000 backplane uses a proprietary high-speed serial bus with differential signaling. Standard bench testing is insufficient to validate module health — functional verification requires rack-level integration. DriveKNMS employs the following test protocol for all F8000 modules prior to dispatch:

Step 1 — Visual and mechanical inspection: Connector pin straightness, PCB surface condition, capacitor ESR spot-check on power rails, conformal coating integrity assessment.

Step 2 — Rack power-on test: Module inserted into a live F8000 test rack. Backplane communication handshake verified via ELOP II diagnostic interface. Module self-test pass/fail status logged.

Step 3 — Functional I/O verification: For I/O modules, all channels are exercised with calibrated signal sources. For communication modules (e.g., F8627 AUSG F8627.03), SafeEthernet frame transmission and reception are verified against a peer node at 100 Mbit/s full-duplex.

Step 4 — Firmware version audit: Installed firmware version recorded and compared against HIMA's last published release for the module type. Downgrade or upgrade performed if required by customer specification.

Step 5 — Burn-in cycle: 24-hour continuous operation under simulated load prior to packaging.

For sourcing inquiries, technical specifications, or emergency spare part requests for the HIMA F8000 series: