As a follow up to the FAB Giant smart relay, a new control product has been released with some added features. Unlike its predecessor, the super relay from Flexible Electronic Systems is expandable up to 128 I/O and has a clip on HMI LCD panel. The HMI can display internal values, such as timers, counters and analog comparators, and allows the operator to easily configure the set values. It also has 32 soft keys that are accessed by means of four function keys. There are eight configurable pages of soft key functions and the unit can display a number of alarm messages.
The standard sizes are eight inputs and four outputs or 14 inputs and eight outputs. The units come ready for AC or DC supply and with relay or transistor outputs. All units have high-speed inputs with an 18 ms scan time. The DC versions also include analog inputs. The expansion blocks are 12 input eight output and come in the same choice of voltages and outputs as the units.
There are some useful accessories to add on - like a phone module that can call somebody on an alarm condition and enables the user to control the PLC via DTMF tones - or via a remote control module with a six button remote up to 100 m. The HMI can be mounted separately via a panel mount adaptor that can be up to 20 m away from the PLC. Flexible Electronic says that the SR PLC, with its HMI, is the lowest cost controller and interface in its class on the South African market.
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