Small PLC choice?
Small PLC choice?
(OP)
I need to choose and deploy a simple PLC. It will have about 10 digital inputs and 10 digital outputs, split between two specific locations. The main & remote locations will be connected by 100baseT and RS-232, carried by some fiber converters we're using.
It would be nice to also be able to observe status/state via a PC application.
We might want some analog inputs for monitoring, too.
It sounds like some ilk of Automation Direct ClickPLC might be what I need. I've been reading their The Fine Manuals. They look almost too good a fix: inexpensive, expandable, etc.
Comment?
One thing I don't see is a module for monitoring RMS AC voltages. Does such exist, or does someone want to share a recommendation for a AC TrueRMS-> DC converter?
Another issue is remoting of half the I/O's. I've not found any discussion on any other hardware I need, such as a RS-232<->module adapter. And what happens when the link fails? Dp the outputs all revert to off or?
Is there a good forum for ClickPLC's to join?
It would be nice to also be able to observe status/state via a PC application.
We might want some analog inputs for monitoring, too.
It sounds like some ilk of Automation Direct ClickPLC might be what I need. I've been reading their The Fine Manuals. They look almost too good a fix: inexpensive, expandable, etc.
Comment?
One thing I don't see is a module for monitoring RMS AC voltages. Does such exist, or does someone want to share a recommendation for a AC TrueRMS-> DC converter?
Another issue is remoting of half the I/O's. I've not found any discussion on any other hardware I need, such as a RS-232<->module adapter. And what happens when the link fails? Dp the outputs all revert to off or?
Is there a good forum for ClickPLC's to join?





RE: Small PLC choice?
Typical example:
http://
RE: Small PLC choice?
So I must reopen my PLC search.... Grrr.
(And one, much less 3, of the above would cost more than everything else in the subsystem. I can use a http://www.egauge.net/ and grab the values from there.)
RE: Small PLC choice?
If you need to remote IO, you can link two PLC's (they are relatively cheap) via RS-232/485/422 and have one pass registers to the other.
RE: Small PLC choice?
The RS-232 is easy. It's what I was told re: comms programming that bothered me.
Hmm, the -405 TFM makes mention of a DC-powered DL-440, a real plus. Lots of pictures of communications at the beginning. I find DirectNET mentioned but infer it is run over 232/485. I'll have RS232 tunneled over fiber so that should be OK.
It's clear this a far more complex product, however.
Thanks for the starting point.
RE: Small PLC choice?
RE: Small PLC choice?
RE: Small PLC choice?
RE: Small PLC choice?
(While the DL-440 looks like it would work, it's ~10X the price of the ClickPLC and far more complex than I want or need.)
It's clear the AC measuring is a luxury best met other ways; I can use phase monitors such as the http://w
RE: Small PLC choice?
a) Small PLC, i.e. inexpensive.
b) Remoted I/O as well as ones at CPU, <10 I's & O's at each.
c) DC Powered [It's controlling a backup power system, so...]
d) No large one-time costs [i.e. programming sw license, etc]
e) Analog inputs might be nice but no dealbreaker.
RE: Small PLC choice?
Disclaimer: I used to work for Siemens so I suppose I am still a little biased, but technically they no longer pay me to care. I just really liked this product when they released it, I am using it on a large project right now, it's pretty sweet.
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Small PLC choice?
Sounds interesting
Rant: They could learn from A-D about usability of web pages. I'm in a maze of twisty little web pages, all alike. XYZZY was no help at all.
I'm seeking the basic stuph; what you need to get started, etc. I find everything but.
[Can you guess the WX here turned hot and cranky again?]
RE: Small PLC choice?
S7-1200
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Small PLC choice?
They have a webserver that you can build a remote acees application for.
They are 24VDC powered.
As long as the cost is inline, this could be your best bet.
RE: Small PLC choice?
Google is not yet able to read minds as to my needs/intent. I waded through a dozen links on the S7-1200 trying to find one NOT starting off as I if I already knew everything about it. I finally found the "S7 1200 Easy Book" which is easier than others but....
Thus far, all the WAGO 750 links I find are for some small part of the puzzle; such as the terminal blocks. The magic that tells me what the castle will look like once I build it still eludes me.
No wonder so many speak so well of Automation Direct; you can grok what they are selling....
RE: Small PLC choice?
Try googling WAGO 750 as indicated by xJAyx. It brings up lots of stuff on the WAGO system. Qualify with PLC to refine search.
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: Small PLC choice?
RE: Small PLC choice?
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RE: Small PLC choice?
FBs-20MA + FBs-CBE.
ladder programming Software is free. To view PLC data from PC, download the Facon communication server (free) via ocx or DDE. (www.fatek.com)
Power option can be DC24 or DC12(default 110/220 AC power) at same price.
I usually use multiple Fatek PLCs communicate with each other via Ethernet (very long distance). This is a better remote I/O form when PLC is not too expansive.
Analog input module are available as well.