PI has established a qualified certification system for PROFIBUS and PROFINET devices. In officially authorised Test Laboratories (PITLs), which are all listed on this Website, devices are tested regarding conformance with the PROFIBUS or PROFINET Specifications and Guidelines as well as interoperability with devices from other manufacturers. The test shall result in a positive test report, based upon which PNO (PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation, who is responsible for the certification on behalf of PI) issues a certificate for the device.

Test Specifications

Test Specifications are available for:

• PROFIBUS DP Slaves (2.032)
• PROFIBUS DP Master Devices (2.071)
• PROFIBUS PA Field Devices (2.061)
• PROFIBUS DP-V2 Master and Slave Devices (Isochronous Mode) (2.322)
• Safety Related PROFIBUS DP Slaves (PROFIsafe) (2.242)
• PROFINET Certification (2.222)

These Specifications are available for free download for PI Members.

Certification Tests

The tests executed at the PI test laboratories are described in detail in the Test Specifications (see above).

The better you and your device are prepared for the test, the faster and smoother the test can finally be effected – which saves you time and money:

• Register your PROFIBUS or PROFINET device at PNO in due time and have the confirmation available for the check at the Test Laboratory in order to avoid delays. (For details about device registration: see “Registration” on this page)
• Edit the Device Description Files (e.g. GSD-Files) in accordance with the valid Guidelines in order to avoid any errors.
• Carefully prepare a complete set of the required documentation.
• Clarify all questions in advance.

In order to clarify questions and problems occurring during the test, you may ask the Test Laboratory whether you may be present during the test. This results in a shorter test time in total. After the test at the test laboratory, the manufacturer gets a test report which is then, together with an application for a certificate, sent to the PNO Certification Office.

Certificates

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In order to ensure the correct interaction of all PROFINET devices and a high product-quality, a certification system has been set up along the lines of the proven system for PROFIBUS products from the outset. At the heart of this process are certification tests carried out by accredited test laboratories authorized by PI. The test for obtaining a certificate from one of these test laboratories ensures that the products comply with specifications and are error-free.

In order to be able to carry out these tests, the following preconditions should be fulfilled by the device developer:

• The PROFINET device must correspond to serial production.
• It is also recommended that an extensive system test be carried out when development finishes.
• The PROFINET runtime software, which is stored either in the PROFINET device or can be loaded with a tool, must be executable.
• At least one XML file exists for the PROFINET engineering tool, or a tool with which a component can be produced.
• A manufacturer-specific tool for parameterizing the field device (if necessary) is available.

The following documents should be made available by the device developer:

• Brief PROFINET device description and user description
• User description of the manufacturer-specific tool for parameterization and a description of the component producer (if available)
• Manufacturer’s declaration that the field device corresponds to the necessary safety regulations for the country in which it is to be used.

For a PROFINET device with a positive test report, the PNO Certification Office issues a certificate. As PROFIBUS products, the certified PROFINET products are specially highlighted in the Product Guide at www.profibus.com, so that customers easily get an overview on the available certified products.

PROFINET certificates are valid for 3 years. After that time, PNO and the manufacturer check whether or not the certificate shall be prolonged and if it can be prolonged with a declaration of the manufacturer or with a new test.