A var compensator circuit is provided. The var compensator circuit includes a gas tube switch and a reactive impedance. The gas tube switch is configured to be coupled to a transmission line. The transmission line is configured to deliver real power and reactive power to a load at an alternating current (AC) line voltage. The reactive impedance is configured to be coupled to the transmission line at the AC line voltage through the gas tube switch. The reactive impedance is configured to modify the reactive power configured to be delivered to the load.

A control layer automation device comprises a processor, one or more control layer applications, a database, a wireless interface, a device memory. Each control layer application is configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions. The database comprises a plurality of operator device identifiers and the wireless interface allows the one or more control layer applications to communicate with a plurality of operator devices via the plurality of operator device identifiers. The device memory comprises the one or more control layer applications. The control layer application manager is configured to manage execution of the one or more control layer applications on the processor.

A control layer automation device comprises a processor, one or more control layer applications, a database, a wireless interface, a device memory. Each control layer application is configured to perform a discrete set of automation functions. The database comprises a plurality of operator device identifiers and the wireless interface allows the one or more control layer applications to communicate with a plurality of operator devices via the plurality of operator device identifiers. The device memory comprises the one or more control layer applications. The control layer application manager is configured to manage execution of the one or more control layer applications on the processor.

An automation system includes a first control facility with a first fieldbus connection, a second control facility with a second fieldbus connection, a fieldbus, a peripheral board with at least one I/O peripheral module, wherein the peripheral board has an interface module with a third fieldbus connection, where the interface module has at least one I/O module which stores interconnection information featuring an assignment of input/outputs of the I/O peripheral module(s) to the control facilities, where the interface module additionally has a virtual I/O module, in which an output region is assigned to the first control facility, and furthermore an input region is assigned to the second controller, and where the virtual I/O module is configured such that the output data is copied from the output region of the first control facility into the input region as input data for the second control facility.

An input system and failsafe automation system, wherein the failsafe automation system includes a motion controller connected to multiple failsafe processors that are each respectively associated with a safety level, and wherein the motion controller includes at least one associated drive, where the respective drive is respectively associated with areas and each respective area has an associated safety level that indicates the level of (fail)safety level with which the respective area needs to be established such that the failsafe automation system allows individual areas in spaces such as production halls to be easily equipped with the necessary (fail)safety level.

A Personal Computer (PC) includes a setting data generation processor that generates a setting data file referred to by a setting value writing FB of a PLC and a transmission processor that transmits the setting data file to the PLC. The setting value writing FB is a function block that changes an operation setting value of a control object device that is controlled by the PLC based on the setting data file.

A programmable logic controller in which a control object device that changes an operation setting value includes a storage in which a setting data file referred to during operation of a setting value writing function block is stored and a destination specification unit that specifies a destination of the control object device. The destination specification unit can switch between the specification of the destination of the control object device based on destination information in the setting data file and the specification of the destination of the control object device based on separately-designated information.

A programmable logic controller in which a control object device that changes an operation setting value includes a storage in which a setting data file referred to during operation of a setting value writing function block is stored and a destination specification unit that specifies a destination of the control object device. The destination specification unit can switch between the specification of the destination of the control object device based on destination information in the setting data file and the specification of the destination of the control object device based on separately-designated information.

A tension testing apparatus is provided and allows a user to interface and collect real time data in remote locations. The user can collect, record and print anchor testing information that includes tension measurement load data, time, longitude, latitude and elevation of the load test.

A system design support apparatus generates new user data on the basis of derived user data including: base user data reference information that is information specifying user data to be referred to; and information on an item changed from the user data specified by the base user data reference information and on changed contents. A system design support method includes a step of selecting user data to be used, a step of generating derived user data including: base user data reference information for specifying the selected user data to be used; and information on an item changed from the user data specified by the base user data reference information and on changed contents, and a step of generating new user data on the basis of the derived user data.