We will now unbox and review our C-More Micro hardware. Human machine interfaces (HMIs) are made to display and control operations for our automation solution. Information is displayed in a graphic format. (Graphical User Interface – GUI) The HMI is usually part of the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system.
Communication from the HMI to the control is usually done through a serial (RS232 / RS485 / RS422) or Ethernet (RJ45) method with different protocols depending on the manufacturer of the control. The automation control device is not limited to a PLC. (Programmable Logic Controller) You can communicate also to drives, temperature process controllers, etc. The HMI usually will include several different protocols and port configurations to maximize the amount of control product that it will be able to communicate.
We will be looking at one of the newest members of the C-More Micro Panel HMI devices from Automation Direct. This is the EA3-T4CL. This four-inch color TFT LCD screen offers great features that we will be exploring as we review this product. Let’s get started.
Here is a detailed list of the HMI touch screen.
C-More Micro Hardware – EA3-T4CL Features:
• Touch screen display
• Free downloadable programming software
• 482 x 272 pixel display (WQVGA) with up to 40 lines by 80 characters of text and graphics
• 32K colours
• Optional clear screen overlay
• 14MB memory
• Built-in USB type Micro-B programming port
• Built-in RJ45 Ethernet Port
• Built-in 15-pin serial communications port
• Built-in RJ12 serial communications port
• Built-in Alarm Control setup that activates beep, backlight flash, customized alarm banner, and red LED blinking
• 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) operating temperature range (IEC 60068-2-14)
• NEMA 4/4X, IP65 compliant when mounted correctly, indoor use only
• UL, cUL & CE agency approvals
• 2-year warranty from date of purchase
The EA3-T4CL is powered by a 4W 12-24VDC supply.
Communication is usually what sets apart HMI systems. The CMore Micro EA3-T4CL has 3 built in ports for communication to your control system and 1 port dedicated for programming the unit.
The above diagram will show you the ports and pinouts for the HMI. Please refer to the manuals listed below for the exact cable for your automation equipment.
The following table will show you the communication drivers that have been written for the EA3 Series of C-More Micro Panels. Generic protocols like Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU can be used on numerous automation products.
C-More Micro EA3 Series PLC Drivers
| Serial – port1 or port2 | Serial – port2 only | Ethernet |
| Automation Direct Productivity Series | Allen-Bradley DF1 Half Duplex | Automation Direct Productivity Series Ethernet |
| Automation Direct Do-more / BRX | Allen-Bradley DF1 Full Duplex | Automation Direct Do-more / BRX Ethernet |
| Automation Direct CLICK | Allen-Bradley PLC5 DF1 | Automation Direct CLICK Ethernet |
| Automation Direct K-sequence | Allen-Bradley DH485 | Automation Direct ECOM Ethernet |
| Automation Direct DirectNET | GE SNPX (90/30, 90/70, Micro 90, VersaMax Micro) | Modbus TCP/IP |
| Modicon Modbus RTU | Mitsubishi FX | Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP(Client) SLC5/05 |
| Entivity Modbus RTU | Mitsubishi Q & QnA | Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP(Client) ENI Adapter |
| Omron Host Link (C200 Adapter, C500) | Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP(Client) MicroLogix 1100/1400 | |
| Omron FINS Serial (CJ1, CS1) | ||
| Siemens PPI (S7-200 CPU) | ||
| Automation Direct SOLO Temperature Controller | ||
| Automation Direct GS Drives |
Watch the video below to see the unboxing and review of the EA3-T4CL system hardware.
C-More Micro Panels from Automation Direct
https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/HMI_(Human_Machine_Interface)/C-more_Micro_Panels
C-More Micro – Graphic Panel (EA3 Series) User Manual and Quick Start Guides
https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/ea3mguserm/ea3mguserm.html
EA3-T4CL C-More Micro Specifications
https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/specs/ea3t4cl.pdf
C-More Micro Programming Software V4.30
http://support.automationdirect.com/products/cmoremicro.html
This free software will enable you to program all of the C-More Micro HMI units. It includes a simulator for your application.
Next time we will install the C-More Micro Programming Software.
Watch on YouTube : C-More Micro HMI Unboxing and Review
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry
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