ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
The Ethernet Click PLC high-speed counter has seven different modes of operation. In Part 1 we discussed the High Speed Count Mode, Interval Measurement Mode, Duration Measurement Mode and Frequency Measurement Mode. This 100 kHz counter can accept Up, Down, Up/Down, Pulse/Direction, or Quadrature (with Z) inputs. We will be looking at the last three … Read more
The Click PLC family has been updated, and now has the ability to use high speed counting. This is available on all of the Ethernet units that have DC inputs. The faster processor on the Ethernet unit (3 to 10 times faster than the basic unit) allows this capability. There are seven (7) different modes … Read more
The Trumeter ADM100 Series Graphical Panel Meters provide the visual representation of an analog meter and the accuracy of a digital meter all in one unit. These meters feature a programmable bar graph and alarms to immediately alert operators when a parameter is out of range. In addition, a four-character messaging area displays custom messages, … Read more
Firmware is usually PLC operating system code that is written into a read only memory. The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a PC (personal computer) is a good example of firmware. It provides the low level interface between the hardware and software. The Click PLC firmware comes with the programming software. https://support.automationdirect.com/products/clickplcs.html We will … Read more
The productivity series of PLCs comes with 4 built-in communication ports for easy connectivity to your PC or various industrial networks. Ethernet protocols like Modbus TCP can be utilized with the RJ45 port on this PLC. Modbus TCP is an open (published) protocol that uses the Server (Master) / Client (Slave) architecture. It’s a very … Read more
The C-More Micro HMI Panel software uses virtual components called Objects. Five different text objects are available for your industrial human-machine interface. (HMI) The static text will place words on your HMI page. Lookup text will display a message corresponding to a value in a tag register. The dynamic text will display the ASCII (American … Read more
The productivity series of PLCs comes with 4 built-in communication ports for easy connectivity to your PC or various industrial networks. Serial protocols like Modbus RTU can be utilized with either the RS232 or RS485 ports on this PLC. Modbus RTU is an open (published) protocol that uses the Master / Slave architecture. It’s a … Read more
The productivity series of PLCs has a built-in web server. This web server function can make a non-secure (HTTP) connection to the CPU. This is done with your browser. You can then view read-only system tags and open, save or delete files stored on the micro SD drive. Previously we stored data logged files on … Read more
The productivity series of PLCs has a built in data logger. This easy data logger will log up to 64 tag values on a USB (Micro SD) storage device connected to the CPU. The logs will be stored in CSV (Comma Separated Values) file format. Logging can be triggered by the rising edge transition of … Read more
The productivity series of PLCs has a Drum and Sequencer instruction. Drum instructions are great tools. They mimic an electromagnetically drum sequencer. Have you ever seen the mechanisms of a music box? Ok so it’s a little drum with pegs that catch and flick the chimes in a particular sequence to play whatever tune is … Read more