KONGSBERG NA Series Modules: NA-1E220

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

KONGSBERG NA Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The KONGSBERG NA Series represents one of the most widely deployed distributed control system (DCS) platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical complexes, offshore oil & gas platforms, nuclear power stations, and large-scale refinery operations, the NA Series established KONGSBERG as a tier-one automation supplier throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The architecture is characterized by a modular backplane design, deterministic scan-cycle execution, and a proprietary high-speed station bus that enables tight integration between CPU, I/O, and communication modules. Facilities in the North Sea, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia continue to operate NA Series-based control loops, making long-term spare parts availability a critical operational requirement for plant maintenance teams.

The Evolution of NA Series Architecture

The NA Series was introduced by KONGSBERG Albatross in the early 1980s as a successor to proprietary relay-logic control panels. The first-generation NA controllers used parallel backplane communication with discrete I/O racks, offering limited network connectivity by modern standards. By the mid-1980s, KONGSBERG introduced enhanced CPU boards — including the NA-1E220 — featuring expanded RAM addressing, improved floating-point arithmetic co-processors, and support for redundant station bus configurations. The late 1980s saw the integration of MODBUS and proprietary peer-to-peer communication adapters, extending the NA Series into supervisory SCADA architectures.

Following KONGSBERG's restructuring and the eventual transfer of its automation division, the NA Series entered a maintenance-only lifecycle phase. Compatibility between early-generation NA backplanes and later CPU modules requires careful firmware version matching; cross-generation substitution without engineering validation is not recommended. Modern replacement pathways typically involve migration to Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, or ABB 800xA platforms, but the capital cost and process risk of full migration means a significant installed base remains on original NA Series hardware through the 2020s.

NA Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified components within the KONGSBERG NA Series platform, classified by functional category:

CPU / Single Board Processors

• NA-1E220: Single board CPU module; primary controller for NA Series DCS stations with onboard RAM and station bus interface.
• NA-1E210: Earlier-generation single board CPU; reduced RAM capacity, compatible with first-generation NA backplanes.
• NA-1E230: Enhanced CPU variant with extended addressing and improved cycle time performance.
• NA-1E240: High-performance CPU board with redundancy support and expanded diagnostic registers.

Analog Input (AI) Modules

• NA-1A110: 8-channel analog input module; 4–20 mA signal range, 12-bit resolution.
• NA-1A120: 16-channel analog input module; supports thermocouple and RTD signal types.
• NA-1A130: High-density analog input; 32-channel configuration for large process trains.
• NA-1A150: Isolated analog input module; galvanic isolation per channel for hazardous area signal conditioning.

Analog Output (AO) Modules

• NA-1B110: 8-channel analog output; 4–20 mA current loop, used for control valve positioner interfaces.
• NA-1B120: 16-channel analog output module with loop-back diagnostics.

Digital Input (DI) Modules

• NA-1C110: 32-channel digital input; 24 VDC, used for discrete process status signals.
• NA-1C120: 64-channel digital input module; high-density rack configuration.
• NA-1C130: Isolated digital input; per-group isolation for mixed-voltage field wiring.

Digital Output (DO) Modules

• NA-1D110: 16-channel digital output; relay contact type, rated for motor starter and solenoid valve control.
• NA-1D120: 32-channel transistor output module; solid-state switching for high-cycle applications.

Communication & Network Adapters

• NA-1F110: Station bus communication adapter; interfaces NA Series racks to the KONGSBERG proprietary plant network.
• NA-1F120: MODBUS RTU communication module; serial interface for third-party device integration.
• NA-1F130: Peer-to-peer data link adapter; supports inter-controller data exchange across NA Series stations.

Power Supply Modules

• NA-1P110: Primary power supply module; 24 VDC regulated output, rack-mount form factor.
• NA-1P120: Redundant power supply module; hot-standby configuration for continuous process applications.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete NA Series Parts

The KONGSBERG NA Series has been in end-of-life status for over two decades. OEM factory support, including the NA-1E220 single board CPU, is no longer available through standard distribution channels. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested NA Series modules sourced from decommissioned plant assets, controlled storage facilities, and verified surplus channels globally.

For plant operators requiring lifecycle extension support — including multi-year maintenance contracts, emergency AOG (Aircraft on Ground equivalent) spare supply, and bill-of-materials auditing — DriveKNMS provides structured procurement programs. All modules are catalogued by hardware revision and firmware version to ensure compatibility with the target system configuration. Customers are advised to provide their existing system's backplane revision and CPU firmware string when placing inquiries to enable accurate cross-referencing.

Quality Control for the NA Series Range

KONGSBERG NA Series modules present specific test challenges due to their proprietary backplane bus protocol and age-related component degradation. DriveKNMS applies a multi-stage inspection and functional test protocol to all NA Series inventory:

• Visual & Physical Inspection: Board-level examination for corrosion, capacitor swelling, trace damage, and connector pin integrity.
• Power-On Self-Test (POST): Each module is energized on a dedicated NA Series test rack to verify boot sequence completion and diagnostic LED status.
• Functional Bus Communication Test: CPU modules including the NA-1E220 are validated for station bus arbitration, memory read/write cycles, and interrupt handling using KONGSBERG-compatible test fixtures.
• I/O Signal Verification: Analog modules are tested against calibrated signal sources; digital modules are verified for switching threshold and contact integrity.
• Burn-In Cycle: Selected modules undergo 48-hour thermal cycling to screen for latent component failures prior to shipment.
• Documentation: Each unit ships with a test report recording hardware revision, test date, technician ID, and pass/fail criteria results.