When a PLC breakdown occurs, the manufacturing process is affected. Many times we must stop the production process, hire external services from programmers, wait for the appropriate replacement…. Do you feel identified with this situations?
80% of failures occur at the I/O cards. Many risks are directed to this cards, since all the sensors are connected to them, and they distributed throughout the production site. Cables are subject to transients, overloads, electromagnetic interference, bad or poor ground connections… And I/O cards are the final link where noise is concentrated, a fact that can damage the cards.
Although in design phase the use of I/O cards dedicated to the signal is very convenient, as it allows direct input of the signal to the PLC, aspects such as the transport of the signal, the durability of the system, its maintenance, the diagnosis and possible effects on the installation where the application is finally installed must be taken into account.
In an application with temperature probes, for example, what happens in the path between the probe and the PLC? How is the mV or resistance signal affected when passing through the different rooms of the manufacturing site, or through the different machine circuits? Is the measurement accurate? Are noises coupling? And if I had to change the sensor, will I find a matching probe? Does the end user knows that the process will have to be stopped, and buy hours of programming to adapt of the program?
At FEMA we have tried to facilitate the maintenance of machinery with versatile elements, without the need of software, without accessories, and that can also be configured to work with a variety of sensors, be configured for different outputs, and can be powered from a real universal power.
The I3 and I4 isolated converters perform an excellent acquisition of the original signal, and convert the signal to standard 4/20 mA or 0/10 Vdc process signals, in a safe and isolated way, free of surges and transients. They can work with different sensors, and can work in a power range from 18 to 265 Vac / Vdc. Its function is clear: to protect the inputs of the PLC and to separate the PLC from the periphery sensor circuits.
The I3 and I4 isolated converters facilitate the commissioning and verification tasks thanks to the “Force” function. Additionally, the isolated converters of the I4 series offer front reading of the input and output values, useful in verification and maintenance processes.
Not only will you be able to change the sensor or input signal type, but you will also use the same instrument in your entire range of machinery. All without stopping your process.
Your architecture will be easier to maintain, and your spare parts easier to find, common and inexpensive.
Do you have any questions? We have many more arguments. Contact us!