PROFINET Product Testing & Certification Guide

Certification PN

This guide is aimed toward device manufacturers and solution providers looking to implement PROFINET in devices or machines. It covers a specific subset of the development cycle: product testing and certification.

By reading this document, device manufacturers will learn how testing and certification work, how to prepare for testing, and how to get a product certified. Also, this guide contains suggestions and resources to complete the certification process with ease.

Download the full guide by completing the form ➡️

Document Details

Source: PI North America and the PROFI Interface Center

Price: Free

Table of Contents:

  1. Partners for product testing and certification
  2. How to get started with the certification process
  3. Steps before the Certification Test
  4. The Certification Test
  5. Steps after the Certification Test
  6. Additional resources

Excerpt

Certification is the process by which a PROFINET product is tested in a PI Test Lab (PITL) for conformance and, upon successful completion of the testing, issued a certificate by PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI).

Products are certified to verify the correct behavior of communication according to IEC 61158 and IEC 61784. Specifically, PROFINET devices are tested for the correct implementation of the following items:

  • Hardware interface
  • PROFINET mandatory and optional functionality
  • Reaction on faulty behavior
  • Robustness against netload
  • Proper operation in a reference automation environment
  • State machines
  • GSD file

Certification is mandatory for PROFINET devices and controllers. Each product must be certified according to its Conformance Class. Also, some additional PROFINET features, such as the PROFIsafe and PROFIenergy Application Profile, require certification.

What about passive components?

Passive components include infrastructure components like switches, cables, and connectors, and do not require certification. An exception would be if a switch also functions as a PROFINET device, and has its own GSD file, in which case certification is required.

For passive PROFINET components, the conformity must be declared by the manufacturer of the product. These products can then be added to the list of PROFINET Passive Network Components posted on the PI website.

What about optional features?

PROFINET allows for several optional features such as Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP), Isochronous Real Time (IRT), or Fast Start-Up (FSU). If a device supports them as defined in its GSD file, then these optional features must also be certified to verify compliance.

Does PI allow self-certification?

PI does not allow product self-certification. PROFINET components must be tested at a PITL and certified by PI before product launch.

Contact Information

PROFIBUS & PROFINET North America
16101 N. 82nd St. Suite 3B
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
USA
T: (480) 483-2456
F: (480) 483-7202
Email us

PROFI Interface Center (PIC)
c/o The PROFI Interface Center
1 Internet Plaza
Johnson City, TN 37604
USA
T: (423) 262-2576
Email us

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