Small footprint PLCs
April 2004
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The DirectLogic05 (DL05) and DirectLogicL06 (DL06) micro programmable logic controllers (PLCs) families are versatile product lines that provide a wide variety of features in a compact footprint, are available from Alstom Automation.
"The DL05 and the new DL06 Series of micro PLCs are designed to fit more applications than any other PLC family in its class. Starting with the DL05 at eight inputs/six outputs, all the way up to 20 inputs and 16 outputs to the fully expanded 100 I/O DL06, these PLCs are a standard that can grow with the changing needs of your machine or process control applications," says Rob Hare, marketing director at Alstom Automation.
"Both DL05 and DL06 have a wide range of power supply capabilities, 100-240 V a.c. or 12-24 V d.c. This means most applications will not need additional control supply transformers. These PLCs can be used on vehicles or remote locations where only 12 or 24 V d.c. is available. Additionally, the DL06 Series offers a 300 mA auxiliary power supply to drive inputs or analogs," says Hare.
The PLCs feature practical built-in communications with two serial communications ports included on all models. Both DL05 and DL06 allows for programming or operator interface, and for networking simultaneously.
"These PLCs offer a large amount of programme memory, a substantial instruction set and advanced diagnostics. Both can be programmed with one of the most advanced programming packages in industry - DirectSoft32, a Windows-based software package that supports familiar features such as cut-and-paste between applications, point-and-click editing, viewing and editing multiple application programmes at the same time," says Hare.
Users can simply programme the ports in ladder logic using DirectSoft 32 Version 4, which offers concise instructions for ASCII and Modbus. An additional DeviceNet slave options card allows the PLC to become a smart device on a DeviceNet network at a cost-effective price.
The DL05 and DL06 Micro PLCs provide features such as high-speed counting, and a choice of Input/Output options that can interface to a wide variety of field devices. In several instances a particular Input or Output circuit can interface to either DC or AC voltages, or both sinking and sourcing circuit arrangements. If more functionality is required, users can expand input/output with a choice of four different analog options cards.
"Signal ranges are DIP-switch selectable from 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 20 mA and 0 to 5 V or 0 to 10 V, available for input and output cards. All of these cards have removable terminal blocks for easy wiring and installation. Using these cards the user can implement up to four PID loops on the DL05 and eight on the DL06 PLC. All of these PID loops can be auto tuned," says Hare.
The DL05 PLC has a memory cartridge/realtime clock that allow data logging with date and time stamping by installing the memory cartridge into the options slot. "The cartridge offers data protection for extended time periods when power is lost by the cards back-up battery, and users can use the two buttons on the face of the card to upload and download programs with the software," says Hare.
The DL06 PLC already has its own built-in realtime clock and battery backup and has a clip in LCD display for data and time stamping messages. "These display messages significantly reduce downtime, guiding technicians to the fault without the use of a computer," concludes Hare. The display has a backlight that can be turned on or off depending on the location.
For more information contact Rob Hare, Alstom Automation, 011 827 9124, [email protected], www.chicontrol.co.za
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