ABB NE870 (3BSE080239R1) is a DIN‑rail mounted Layer‑3 industrial router and firewall engineered exclusively for ABB System 800xA DCS network infrastructure. It implements the proprietary Redundant Network Routing Protocol (RNRP), delivering fault‑tolerant dual‑network routing and security zoning for critical process‑control networks. Unlike ordinary commercial network hardware, this unit is hardened for continuous uptime inside process‑control cabinets, eliminating single‑point‑of‑failure risks for plant control communication. It segments security domains, isolates office IT networks from real‑time DCS control domains, and serves as key maintenance spare for power, pulp‑and‑paper and chemical plants operating 800xA distributed control systemsManualsLib.

 

Core Hardware & Performance Specifications

• Full part number: NE870 | 3BSE080239R1ABB
• Device category: 11‑port managed industrial router with integrated firewall, for ABB System 800xA DCS
• Port allocation:
  • 3 × RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • 8 × RJ45 10/100 Mbps Fast‑Ethernet ports
  • Console CLI port, USB port for configuration backup/restore, digital alarm output contactsABB
• Redundancy feature: Dual redundant 16‑60 VDC wide‑range DC power input; power‑fail alarm relay output for remote status notificationABB
• Key protocol: RNRP Redundant Network Routing Protocol, supports automatic fail‑over between two independent physical control networksABB Group
• Security function: Embedded firewall for network zoning, traffic filtering between IT zone and DCS control zone, prevents unauthorized cross‑domain accessManualsLib
• Mounting: 35 mm standard DIN‑rail clip‑on installation; dimension 134 × 100 × 122 mm, unit weight 1.5 kg
• Environmental rating: IP40 enclosure, convection cooling; operating temperature 0 °C ~ +60 °C, cabinet‑only indoor deploymentManualsLib
• Compliance: RoHS certified; runs NEOS embedded firmware designed for 800xA control‑system environmentABB

Important note: NE870 cannot be substituted by NE871 or general‑purpose industrial routers. It requires matching NEOS firmware and RNRP‑aware network planning for System 800xA architecture; generic routers lack RNRP protocol support.

Typical Real‑World Deployment Scenarios

• Power‑plant System 800xA DCS control‑network segmentation, separating operator IT LAN from real‑time controller control network
• Pulp and paper mill distributed control‑system redundant network routing
• Petrochemical process plant security‑zone isolation between control domains and corporate office networks
• New project cabinet build‑out for ABB 800xA platform network infrastructure
• Spare‑part replacement for existing NE870 hardware failure in running DCS installations
• Control‑system upgrade projects implementing RNRP dual‑redundant network topology to improve plant communication availability

 

Sourcing & Field‑Commissioning Guidance

1. Confirm exact full part number NE870 / 3BSE080239R1 before purchase. NE871 and third‑party routers are not drop‑in functional replacements due to missing RNRP support.
2. Observe ESD precautions when handling unit; static discharge may damage onboard Ethernet transceivers.
3. Install on solid DIN‑rail inside well‑ventilated control cabinet; avoid mounting adjacent to high‑power variable‑frequency drives to minimize EMI interference.
4. Wire dual redundant DC power supplies from separate power sources to leverage power‑input redundancy feature.
5. Load project‑specific NEOS configuration via USB or console CLI; configure RNRP parameters, firewall rules, IP addressing and alarm‑relay logic according to plant network design documents.
6. Complete network fail‑over test: simulate single‑network path failure to verify automatic RNRP switch‑over without DCS communication drop‑out; validate firewall filtering behaviour.

 

Common Field‑Observed Fault Manifestations

• Partial control‑controller communication loss: Incorrect RNRP configuration, IP address conflict or defective Ethernet copper cable
• No automatic network fail‑over: Mismatched NEOS firmware version or misconfigured RNRP peer‑node parameters
• Power‑alarm relay triggers: Loss of one redundant DC power feed
• Cannot load configuration: Corrupted configuration file or incompatible NEOS firmware release
• Intermittent packet loss: Poor‑quality Cat5e / Cat6 cabling, improper shield‑grounding or heavy electromagnetic‑field interference nearby

ABB NE870 3BSE080239R1 is an 11‑port DIN‑rail mount Layer‑3 industrial router and firewall purpose‑built for ABB System 800xA DCS. It features 3 gigabit plus 8 fast‑Ethernet RJ45 ports, dual redundant 16‑60VDC power inputs, and supports RNRP redundant network routing protocol for fault‑tolerant process‑control networks.Integrated firewall provides security zoning between IT and DCS control domains. This critical network spare is widely used for power, pulp‑paper and chemical plant 800xA system maintenance and cabinet‑refit projects.Verify full part‑number before ordering. Matching NEOS firmware and RNRP network configuration are required after installation.