HIMA HIQuad-X Safety Controller Product Selection Guide

How to Select HIQuad-X SIS Controller? One-Stop Selection and Application Guide

Applicable Audience & Product Core Positioning

Target Audience: Automatic control designers, SIS system operation and maintenance engineers, process safety management personnel in petrochemical, oil & gas and power industries.

Core Positioning: HIQuad-X is a high-compatibility SIL3 safety controller launched by HIMA. Developed for the classic HIMA I/O hardware system, it is equipped with the new-generation H51X series CPU and modern configuration platform. Supporting both centralized and distributed deployment, it features high stability, superior compatibility and easy maintenance, serving as the preferred solution for small and medium-sized safety control systems in process industries.

1.1 Product Definition

HIQuad-X is a standardized SIS controller iteratively developed based on HIMA's mature safety control technology. Adopting the brand-new H51X series CPU, it is fully compatible with the full range of classic HIMA F6xxx I/O modules. It realizes comprehensive upgrading of core control units and software platforms and is widely applied in conventional process safety control scenarios of petrochemical, oil & gas and power plants.

1.2 Core Product Advantages

• Excellent Hardware Compatibility: Fully compatible with classic I/O modules including F6217, F6214, F6202 and F6204. It adapts to conventional on-site signal acquisition and interlock control requirements without modifying hardware configuration or field wiring, with mature and reliable hardware adaptation performance.
• Modern Software Operation and Maintenance: Eliminates the outdated ELOP-II programming environment and fully adapts to the mainstream SILworX configuration platform. It is compatible with new Windows systems, solves the compatibility pain points of traditional software, and greatly reduces system operation, maintenance and training costs.
• Flexible Multi-Scenario Deployment: Supports centralized cabinet deployment and distributed remote I/O deployment. With streamlined architecture and standardized configuration logic, it features short integration cycle and high flexibility, suitable for ESD interlock, F&G monitoring and unit protection of small and medium process units.

2.1 Overall Architecture

Inheriting HIMA's industry-proven redundant design concept, HIQuad-X supports triple redundancy of CPU, power supply and bus, fully complying with SIL3 safety integrity level certification. It has excellent hardware fault tolerance and operational stability to ensure long-term safe and continuous operation of industrial process equipment.

2.2 Operating Logic

The system adopts the architecture of "new core control unit + classic universal I/O module". Field signal acquisition and interlock output are completed by mature F6xxx I/O modules, while core logic operation and safety interlock judgment are undertaken by the new H51X CPU. It supports complete migration and reproduction of traditional process control strategies.

2.3 Modern Communication Capabilities

The H51X CPU natively supports mainstream industrial Ethernet protocols such as Modbus TCP, PROFINET and ETHERNET/IP, and supports dual-port redundant communication. It can seamlessly connect with mainstream DCS and monitoring systems, effectively solving the problems of slow communication and poor device compatibility of traditional safety systems.

3.1 Core Control Units (Mandatory Configuration)

3.2 Communication Interface Modules (Optional & Recommended)

• F8627X Ethernet Communication Processor (Modbus TCP): Standard matching module, supporting dual-port redundant network. It is mainly used for data interconnection with DCS and third-party Modbus TCP master stations, covering most conventional industrial monitoring scenarios.
• F8628X Industrial Ethernet Communication Processor (PROFINET/ETHERNET/IP): Adapted to Siemens S7 and Rockwell AB control systems, supporting GSDML file import, suitable for high-end industrial Ethernet communication scenarios.
• F7131 Bus Connection Cable (Optical/Copper): Special cable for connecting main rack and expansion rack, with optional 5m, 10m, 20m mainstream specifications according to field spacing.

3.3 Power Supply System (Standard Supporting Configuration)

• F7126 (New Version) System Power Module: 24V DC industrial power supply, the core power supply unit of the system. For 1oo2 redundant system configuration, two modules need to be installed in slot 1 and slot 2 of the main rack to realize redundant power supply and avoid power failure risks.

3.4 Software & Engineering Authorization (Mandatory Invisible Configuration)

• SWX-LIC-BAS SILworX Basic Platform License: Single-station engineer authorization, dedicated for system configuration, programming and debugging. Each set of system is equipped with at least one license for normal engineering operation.
• SWX-LIC-MIG ELOP-II Logic Migration License: Special conversion tool authorization, which can automatically convert traditional ELOP-II project files to SILworX platform programs, greatly improving configuration efficiency and ensuring 100% restoration of control logic.
• SWX-LIC-RTS Runtime Authorization: Built-in operating authorization for CPU, which is the core certificate for system online operation and interlock execution. One set of authorization can cover the whole dual-CPU redundant system.

4.1 Compatible I/O Module List

• Digital Input (DI): F6217
• Digital Output (DO): F6214
• Analog Input (AI): F6202
• Analog Output (AO): F6204
• Temperature/RTD Module: F6220 Series

4.2 Wiring & Auxiliary Specification

All matched terminal boards, relay boards and field instrument wiring of F6xxx series modules adopt standardized design, which can be perfectly adapted to HIQuad-X system without additional modification and debugging, with high universality and on-site applicability.

5.1 Three Core Selection Principles

• High Compatibility Principle: The system is based on the mature F6xxx I/O hardware system, with fully verified hardware matching performance, stable operation and wide industrial adaptability.
• Software Compliance Principle: It only supports SILworX modern configuration platform, and must be equipped with genuine supporting authorization to ensure standardized and compliant operation of the system.
• Scenario Matching Principle: It is oriented to standardized safety control of medium and small process units, and achieves the best cost performance and operational stability in conventional ESD, F&G and unit protection scenarios.

5.2 Product Application Boundaries

HIQuad-X is a cost-effective SIL3 general-purpose safety controller, focusing on medium and small-scale conventional process safety control scenarios. For large-scale integrated refining and chemical, offshore platforms, high-pressure and high-risk process scenarios that require ultra-high computing power, large-scale node expansion and SIL4 high safety level, HIMA flagship HIMax system is recommended.

6.1 Configuration Scenario

Standard petrochemical process SIS system, with dual-CPU redundant architecture, equipped with remote distributed I/O cabinet, and supporting Modbus TCP protocol connection with DCS system.

6.2 Complete BOM Configuration List

• 2 × F8652X Redundant Core CPU
• 1 × F9117 Standard Main Rack
• 1 × F9118 Remote Expansion Rack
• 1 × F8627X Modbus TCP Communication Module
• 2 × F7126 New Version Redundant Power Module
• 1 × SWX-LIC-BAS Engineering Configuration Authorization
• 1 × SWX-LIC-MIG Logic Migration Authorization
• 1 × SWX-LIC-RTS System Runtime Authorization
• 1 × F7131-05 5m Bus Connection Cable

7.1 Misunderstanding 1: Position HIQuad-X as High-End Flagship System

Correct cognition: HIQuad-X is a standardized SIL3 general-purpose controller, positioned in cost-effective and highly compatible conventional safety control scenarios. It cannot meet the ultra-high expansion and computing power requirements of high-end extreme scenarios, which need to be undertaken by HIMax SIL4 flagship system.

7.2 Misunderstanding 2: Replace Original F6xxx I/O Modules

Correct cognition: F6xxx series I/O modules are the best matching hardware for HIQuad-X system, with stable performance and long-term industrial verification. Replacing the modules will increase unnecessary costs and affect system matching stability.

7.3 Misunderstanding 3: Ignore Genuine Software Authorization