While many industrial applications have a sensor directly connected to a PLC, other applications benefit from a stand-alone, de-centralized system. In the latter case, whether or not there are PLC’s in use elsewhere in the plant, the user prefers to have the sensor directly control the local load, independent of the PLC activities.
For over 35 years, Tri-Tronics has offered control modules that facilitate de-centralized sensing and control. Tri-Tronics has three [3] different families of products to suit different application needs. The three families are the SEPS Series, the PM-8xxx Series, and the PIC-1. In a prior article, the PIC-1 (Product Inspection Module) was discussed in depth. The PIC-1 module is a very flexible, and complete system for de-centralized product inspection routines.
SEPS Series:
The Tri-Tronics SEPS Series consists of 5 different control modules, all with a plug-in base. All SEPS modules function as a power supply, with 110 vac input, and 24 vdc output.
The SEPS-1 is only a power supply, and accepts no input signals, and thus no outputs.
The SEPS-2 and SEPS-3 are very similar. The SEPS-2 has a single input (NPN/Sinking), with a single, SPDT relay as an output. The SEPS-3 only differs from the SEPS-2, in that the SEPS-3 has two separate, independent inputs, each input controlling its own SPDT relay provided as an output. Neither of these modules offer any logic functions.
The SEPS-4 and SEPS-5 are similar to themselves. The SEPS-4 has a single input, with a single triac output for switching AC loads. The SEPS-5 only differs from the SEPS-4 in that the SEPS-5 has two separate, independent inputs, each input controlling it own triac output.
While the SEPS-2 and SEPS-4 have a single input, and the SEPS-3 and SEPS-5 have 2 independent inputs, for any given input, if selected appropriately, multiple sensors could be connected to a given input channel to make a unified decision, as in logic AND/OR.
PM-8xxx Series:
The Tri-Tronics PM-8xxx Series consists essentially of the PM-8100 control modules and the PM-8200 control modules. Both modules function as a power supply, with 110 vac input, and 24 vdc output. Both modules have a plug-in base.
The PM-8100 module has a single signal input, with an additional single, enable/disable input. It has two separate outputs operating in sync, one output is an NPN/Sinking signal, the other output is a triac for switching AC loads. The PM-8100 module provides 5 different DIP switch selectable logic functions of its output for a given, single input. The 5 logic functions are: on-delay, off-delay, latching, one-shot, and motion. The delays, duration of the one-shot, and motion are adjustable from 0-21 seconds. The PM-8100 module as two LED indicators, one for input signal, the other for module output.
The Tri-Tronics PM-8200 control module is very similar to the PM-8100, except it has two separate stages of logic functions, end-to end, to perform a total of 25 different logic functions. For example, it can do both, an on-delay, followed by an off-delay. Another example is an off-delay, followed by a latch. The PM-8200 has a single input, with an additional single, enable/disable input. It has two separate outputs operating in sync, one output is an NPN/Sinking signal, the other output is a triac for switching AC loads. All 25 different logic functions are selected by DIP switches. The PM-8200 module has 2 LED indicators, one for input signal, the other for module output.
Excel Automation/Eagle Sensors & Controls are Authorized Distributors for Tri-Tronics products (since 1989 & 1978, respectively). Contact us for technical, application, or sales support.