AB PLC wireless communication 1

[rvlewis]

I apologize if something similar has been covered elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything relevant in my forum searches.

Here's what I'm trying to do:

I have an AB SLC 5/04 processor in an outdoor location, approximately 200' from our main building. I need to establish wireless communication between that SLC processor and 2 independent, non-networked AB Micrologix 1200 PLCs in the main facility. Direct line-of-sight is not a problem (if that is even a factor).

Thanks for any suggestions...

 

[danw2]

Wireless only replaces wire.

How would you do it wired? Which port(s) and which protocol would you use?

Once you establish that, then you get a wireless product that can handle the physical layer (RS-2322 or RS-485 or ethernet).

Wireless products re-produce at the receiver end whatever comes in the transmitter end. Again, wireless just replaces wire.

At 200 feet, the 1 watt allowed for the ISM band should be a piece of cake for current wireless.

Phoenix Contact or Prosoft both do industrial wireless. Stay away from consumer WiFi for industrial comm.

But you need to answer how you'd do it wired first.

Dan

 

[rvlewis]

Strange, but it never occurred to me that wireless just replaces wire. It sure is easy to make a problem a lot more complex than it needs to be, I guess.

On either end I have RS232 ports, so I presumably need to simply look for transmitter/receivers that can handle that protocol.

Sounds to me like this won't be so bad after all...

Thanks for the help, Dan.

-Roger

 

[ADMIRALKEN]

I used Elpro with good success, they offer wireless serial modems, plus many other wireless solutions:

http://www.elprotech.com/index.cfm?content=85

 

[ScottyUK]

Westermo's range is nice - not too fussy about temperature or power quality either.

http://www.westermo.com/Resource.phx/content/products/radio/radio-modems.htx

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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[rvlewis]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll check out the suppliers you all suggested.

-Roger