Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 1 of 7
SNECON Versions and Replacement
Since the introduction of the Maxum analyzer system, there have been multiple versions of the SNECON introduced. The
SNECON started at ”Version 3“ then recently went to ”Version 4“ and soon we will release ”Version 5“. There have been,
unfortunately, several variations of the board that have rather subtle differences. This document will attempt to explain
some of the details and should be helpful for spare parts and service or maintenance questions.
Background
The SYSCON on the Maxum (any version) provides one or more connectors which are intended to provide an Ethernet
connection which goes outside of the Maxum to the external network. These connectors accept standard Ethernet Twisted
Pair cabling confirming to 10BaseT standards or standard Ethernet Fiber Optics cable..
In addition, the Maxum requires that the SYSCON (any version) and a SNECON (any version) be connected with a
communication cable. This connection is internal to the Maxum only. From the time of original release in 1998 until the
present, this interconnection cable was a “mini-Coax” (p/n: 2017912-001) which conformed to Ethernet 10Base2
communication standards.
At the present time, the communication chips and connectors used to provide for this mini-coax connection are no longer
available. Therefore, the internal connection on new Maxums is now being made with a short length of Ethernet Twisted
Pair cable. To enable this connection, physical 10BaseT connectors are provided on SYSCON 2 and on the SNECON 4
and 5 which are used in the present production units.
A 10BaseT connector is available on all previous versions of SNECON. But, the 10BaseT connector is available ONLY
on the current SYSCON 2.
A “universal” or “default” replacement for SNECON when the complete hardware situation is not known is the
SNECON 4A or (p/n: 2021963-002) or 5A (p/n: A5E02599495001. However, this board uses the mini-coax component
which is in short supply. When they are gone, there is no alternative. Therefore, this board should only be used on older
units that require the 10Base2 communication standard (pre-Syscon 2 units).
Note originally a special version of the WDB was available (WDB+T) to facilitate making replacements in some instances
because of the difficulty in converting the communication option on the SNE 4A or 5A. However, there is now a utility
program (SNECommSet.exe) provided with Workstation software version 4.3/5.0 that allows the user to easily switch the
communication option of the SNE, which reduces the need for the WDB+T. Therefore, the option using the WDB+T is
now discontinued.
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 2 of 7
Technical Information regarding Replacement Parts
System Controller:
Sensor Near Electronics Controller:
Wiring Distribution Board:
SYSCON, SYSCON+ and SYSCON 2
SNECON 3, SNECON 4 and SNECON 5
WDB
Configuration and pertinent parts
This note is pertinent to all product versions and variations of Maxum.
The Maxum Gas Chromatograph uses multiple controller boards to perform its work. It always uses one System Controller
(SYSCON) and it always uses one or more Sensor Near Electronic Controllers (SNECON). These are located in the
Maxum as indicated in this illustration. It also always uses one Wiring Distribution Board (WDB).
External Ethernet Cable
(Twisted Pair or Fiber Optics)
SYSCON (any version)
Internal Ethernet Cable
(mini-Coax or Twisted
Pair)
WDB
SNECON
(any version)
Note, the housing indicated in the diagram may contain both a SNECON and a Detector
Personality Module (DPM.) Maxum always requires one DPM for each detector
assembly. Therefore, a Maxum might have 1, 2 or 3 housings as indicated in this
illustration. However, only one of those housings will also contain a SNECON.
Additional note, it is possible that a Maxum may also be configured with multiple SNECONs.
However, such a configuration is extremely rare and will not be discussed in this note.
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 3 of 7
Parts Descriptions
Since Maxum was introduced in 1998, the SYSCON, WDB and SNECON have all changed and been enhanced.
Therefore, a complete description of these boards may include an indication of Version or Type. These are as follows:
ITEM
System Controller:
Wiring Distribution
Board:
Sensor Near
Electronics Board:
Short Name
SYSCON
Applicable Part Numbers
2017559-009; 2017559-010; 2020110-004
SYSCON+
2021081-001; 2021817-001;
SYSCON 2
(requires 5.0
software)
A5E02599495001 (kit); A5E02599488001 (SIB
only); A5E02599492001 (CAC only)
WDB
2017580-001 (no longer available)
WDB kit
A5E02652008001
SNECON 3
2017501-006 (no longer available)
SNECON 4A
2021963-001 (no longer available)
2021963-002 (no longer available)
includes mini-coax and twisted pair connectors
SNECON 4B
2021963-004 (no longer available)
twisted pair connector only
SNECON 5A
A5E02829199001
includes mini-coax and twisted pair connectors
SNECON 5B
A5E02829199002
twisted pair connector only
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 4 of 7
Replacement Considerations
This means that when a SYSCON or SNECON is replaced, care must be taken to ensure that a version of the replacement
part is suitable for the type of cable used for the internal Ethernet connection.
Following is a table of rules for this replacement.
Current Parts
SYSCON or
SYSCON +
-- with
SNECON 3 or
SNECON 4A
Item to be
replaced
SNECON
Replacement Parts
Notes
SNECON 4A;
2021963-002
The older SYSCON has only a mini-coax connector.
Therefore, the replacing SNECON must support that.
Note, SNECON 4B and 5B do not have mini-coax
connectors.
(no longer available)
-- or
SNECON 5A
A5E02829199001
(current offering)
Alternative:
SNECON 5B
A5E02829199002
-- plus:
SYSCON 2 kit;
A5E02599495001
-- plus:
Twisted Pair cable;
A5E02529816
SYSCON
SYSCON 2 kit;
A5E02599495001
-- plus:
Twisted Pair cable;
A5E02529816
Alternative:
SYSCON +;
2021817-001
This alternative is indicated since it is advantageous to
use a newer SNECON version (either 4B or 5B) to have
latest version of hardware. However, those versions of
SNECON do not have a mini-coax connector available
and, at the same time, the older SYSCON has only minicoax available.
Therefore, to replace SNECON with the newest version,
it is necessary ALSO to replace SYSCON with the
newest version at the same time. This is more expensive
but has best features.
The mini-coax must be replaced with a twisted pair
cable. The older SNECON has a Twisted Pair connector
which can connect.
Note, however, the firmware on the older SNECON
must now be reconfigured in the field so that it knows to
use the T.P. cable instead of the older mini-coax. This
reprogramming step requires a laptop computer with a
jumper cable and instructions, which are included in the
SYSCON 2 kit.
If the current SYSCON is a pre-SYSCON 2 version the
SYSCON+ can be used as the replacement. This avoids
the need to switch the mini-coax cable away and
reprogram the older SNECON.
However, the older SYSCON+ is less capable and is no
longer being enhanced.
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Current Parts
SYSCON 2
-- with
SNECON 3 or
SNECON 4A
Item to be
replaced
SNECON
SYSCON
SYSCON 2
-- with
SNECON 4B
Any
Page 5 of 7
Replacement Parts
Notes
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
The current arrangement must already be using a twisted
pair connection since the newer SYSCON 2 does not
support mini-coax. Therefore, the latest version of
SNECON can be used without any other changes.
SYSCON 2 can be repaired by replacing individual
parts. It is usually not necessary to replace the entire
assembly.
SYSCON 2;
-- either
SIB;
A5E02599488001
-- or
CAC;
A5E02599492001
Direct except for
SNECON 4B
As noted above, a twisted pair connection must already
be in use.
This is current production standard. Any part may be
replaced in kind with the exception of the SNECON 4B,
which is now replaced by the SNECON 5B.
(no longer
avaiable)
or
SNECON 5B
Note 1: Inventory supplies of the indicated parts (red italics) are limited. When those parts become unavailable, one of the
alternative replacement paths must be used.
Note 2: The SYSCON 2 requires Workstation software version 5.0 which is included in the SYSCON 2
(A5E02599495001) kit mentioned above. The Workstation software key used for Version 4.2 can be used to install
Version 4.3 or Version 5.0 which are both provided on the same CD.
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 6 of 7
Replacement Chart
For comment and descriptions of alternatives, see table above.
Hardware to be replaced Æ
-------------------È Hardware in service now
SYSCON or SYSCON+
-- with
SNECON 4A or earlier
Alternative
SNECON
SYSCON
Best overall
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
-- plus:
SYSCON 2 kit;
A5E02599495001
-- plus:
Twisted Pair cable;
A5E02529816
SNECON 4A;
2021963-002
(no longer avaiable)
SNECON 5A
A5E02829199001
(after SNECON 4A
stock depleted)
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
SYSCON 2 kit;
A5E02599495001
-- plus:
Twisted Pair cable;
A5E02529816
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
SYSCON +;
2021817-001
SYSCON 2 parts needed;
-- either
SIB; A5E02599488001
-- or
CAC; A5E02599492001
SYSCON 2 parts needed;
-- either
SIB; A5E02599488001
-- or
CAC; A5E02599492001
Simplest field
effort
Alternative
SYSCON or SYSCON+
-- with
SNECON 4B or later
Best overall
Simplest field
effort
SYSCON 2
-- with
SNECON 4A or earlier
SYSCON 2
-- with
SNECON 4B or later
Siemens Process Analytics
SNECON 5B;
A5E02829199002
SYSCON +;
2021817-001
None
SYSCON 2 kit;
A5E02599495001
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Technical Support Information No. 190c
November 2012
Process Analytics – USA
Customer1Focus
Page 7 of 7
Quick Reference Summary
Siemens Process Analytics
Phone 713-939-7400 Fax 713-939-9050 Email technotes.industry@siemens.com
All information provided on this page is for informative purposes only and is not binding. Siemens Industry, Inc. reserves the right to change information
on this page at any time. Siemens Industry, Inc. will not accept liability for or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein.