Schneider Electric has introduced the Modicon Edge I/O NTS, a future-ready distributed input/output system designed specifically for the challenging railway environment. The new modular I/O solution delivers enhanced robustness, flexibility, scalability and cybersecurity features tailored to meet the demanding requirements of rail operations.
The system has received railway certification due to its mechanical durability and extended operating temperature range of -40°C to +70°C, making it suitable for both onboard and trackside applications across diverse weather conditions.
“Railways face stringent regulatory frameworks, growing cybersecurity threats and need high uptime across a wide variety of devices and architectures,” said Dave Sutton, Product Marketing Manager for Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric. “The Modicon Edge I/O NTS meets those needs by providing high availability, cybersecurity and performance for rail operators in a package that is flexible, efficient and compact for system integrators and OEMs.”
The new platform connects to a wide variety of smart devices, meters, sensors and edge devices distributed across railway networks. This connectivity enables operators, system integrators and original equipment manufacturers to integrate critical data for continuous optimization of efficiency, agility and sustainability.
Key features of the Modicon Edge I/O NTS include industry-leading cybersecurity protection that meets the EN 62443 standard, making it the first I/O system with built-in cybersecurity capabilities. The system offers scalable and customizable I/O islands that support multiple data protocols in a compact modular design, providing enhanced functionality while requiring less physical space.
The platform also features unrestricted hot swap capabilities, allowing data transmission to continue uninterrupted while individual modules are replaced, thereby reducing unplanned downtime. Its compliance with railway standards EN 50155, EN 50121-3-2, EN 50121-4, EN 50121-5, and EN 45545 ensures it can withstand the demanding rail environment.
Additional benefits include simplified wiring and network interface capabilities that enable remote configuration for rapid commissioning and quick repair times for critical signaling, control and monitoring systems. The system utilizes open Ethernet protocols to deliver connectivity with embedded data intelligence across various devices and architectures.
As the UK rail sector continues its digital transformation, the Modicon Edge I/O NTS offers operators, system integrators and OEMs a solution to support high availability for data while protecting both passenger and freight services.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global industrial technology leader specializing in electrification, automation and digitization solutions for smart industries, resilient infrastructure, data centers, intelligent buildings and homes. The company operates in over 100 countries with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners.
