Micro PLC analog
comparison requiring a minimum number of digital
I/O
From
Development to Production!
There
are various micro PLCs on the market today. The
vast majority offer analog I/O. But not all are
created equal.
With
just about any micro PLC, or for that matter PLC
in general, when your application requires
monitoring of various analog signals, a separate
module is required for each signal (voltage,
current, temperature, millivolt). In many cases,
you don't need all the I/O built in to the
module...which means you are paying for more than
you require.
With
our Smart-PAK PLUS, we offer a different
approach. Order what you require for your
application. If you want spares, you can have
them. If you want exactly what you are going to
use...order only what you are going to use.
Our
analog only expansion board design allows us to
customize a configuration for your application.
Imagine a solution that can be done in one
assembly. No longer do you have to purchase
different modules, cables...etc.
| Item |
Entertron |
Idec |
Aromat |
Automation Direct |
Omron |
Siemens |
| Model
|
Smart-PAK
PLUS |
Micro Smart |
FPO |
DL05 |
CPM2A |
S7-222 |
| Starting
Digital I/O |
8 in / 6
out |
14 in / 10 out (Smaller units not
expandible)
|
8 in / 6 out |
8 in / 6 out |
12 in / 8 out (Smallest unit
available)
|
8 in / 6 out |
| Analog
Configurations (modules) available |
Up to 8 in Up to 4 out
Up
to 4 thermocouples
Up
to 4 RTD inputs
(thermocouples
and RTDs include as part of total inputs)
|
2 in / 1 out module 2 thermocouple in /
1 analog out module
2 in
module
1 out
module
|
2 in / 1 out module 8 in module
4
thermocouple in module
8
thermocouple in module
|
4 in module 2 in / 2 out module
4 in / 2
out module
4
thermocouple in module
4 RTD in
module
|
2 in / 1 out module 2 thermocouple in
module
4
thermocouple in module
|
4 in module 2 out module
4 in / 1
out module
4
thermocouple in module
2 RTD in
module
|
| Total
number of Modules available |
N/A |
4 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
| Price
range (Analog Modules) |
$75.00 -
$645.00 |
$275.00 - $380.00 per module |
$299.00 - $450.00 per module |
$79.00 - $209.00 per module |
$228.00 - $362.00 per module |
$195.00 - $250.00 per module |
| Price
range (Main Controller) |
$215.00 |
$375.00 |
$190.00 |
$99.00 - $129.00 |
$338.00 |
$230.00 - $250.00 |
| Real
Time Clock |
Option -
$50.00 |
Option - $45.00 |
Option |
Option - $49.00 |
Included |
Option |
| Second
Serial Port |
RS232 or
RS485 (No Adapter required) |
Adapter Required |
Adapter Required |
RS232 only |
Adapter Required |
RS485 |
| Warranty |
5 years |
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
1 year |
Note
- This comparision is based on an application
needing only 8 digital inputs / 6 digital outputs
Note
- The Smart-PAK PLUS pricing, listed in the
table, is based on 1 analog out ($75.00) up to a
maximum configuration of 4 analog inputs / 4
temperature inputs (Type K thermocouple or RTD) /
4 analog outputs. ($645.00) The Smart-PAK PLUS
can be configured for both thermocouple and RTD
in one system for a total of up to 8 temperature
inputs.
All
pricing listed in this comparision is published
list / OEM pricing. (US Funds)
| Company
|
Observation |
| Entertron |
Offers as
little as one input or output, up to 8 /
4 in just about any configuration
possible. Smart-PAK PLUS can be
configured for multiple signals in one
system. |
| Idec |
Can have
up to 4 expansion modules. Modules are
small in I/O (2/1) Maximum analog 8 in /
4 out, but limited in configurations
available. No RTD input module. |
| Aromat |
Can have
up to 3 modules. Up to 24 analog inputs
or thremocouples. Very limited on analog
outputs. |
| Automation
Direct |
The DL05
is the least expensive controller, but
only offers one expansion slot, therefore
you are limited to one module. The same
slot is used for the real time clock
module, therefore if you needed both, you
would need to go up in controller
size...and cost |
| Omron |
Only
three different modules with two being
thermocouple. Up to 3 modules. Analog
outputs are limited |
| Siemans |
Offers a
good variety of modules. Can have only 2
modules, thus limiting possible
configurations. |
| Overall
Observation |
The
packaged Micro PLCs offer very little
flexibility when it comes to analog. You
have to work with what they give you in
the way of modules. Modules are
manufactured in the thousands, therefore
these manufacturers are unable to provide
you with the flexibility you may require. |
| Conclusion |
If
your application fits the manufacturer's
products, then you have no problem.
However, if your application requires
multiple signals that require you to go
to a larger controller, you are probably
spending more than you need to. To find
out more about the Smart-PAK PLUS, visit
our product
page Keep in
mind that this comparison is based on a
need for a small amount of digital I/O in
combination with analog I/O.
Based
on our maximum configuration...none of
the manufacturer's products we provided
for comparison can satisfy this
requirement. Their I/O falls short due to
either the configurations of the modules
available, the number of modules the
controller can expand to, or both.
|
Entertron has customers that
take advantage of our flexible design and
manufacturing. We have one application posted on
line. To find out more about what our customer is
doing...and how they are able to satisfy their
requirements, review our application article
|
