Compact PLCs and flexible HMI
June 2005
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Hitachi's Micro EH-range (a) includes a small but powerful PLC that is offered in different sizes from as small as 10 I/O up to 176 I/O - including analog, PT100/PT1000. There is also RS485 and Ethernet capability for selected modules.
Middle of the range is the EH-150 (b). Hitachi reports that this powerful, compact range is also popular. This popularity may be related to the flexibility from having plenty of memory on the CPUs and the ability to be used with almost any Fieldbus system. The new 11-slot base permits the CP module to be installed anywhere in the stack. The resultant system is compact, yet able to be expanded up to 7650 I/O. The EH-150 is a suitable solution for plants; production lines or process control applications were cost saving plays a big role, without compromising on quality, productivity and speed.
Remote I/O (c) is available in Profibus, DeviceNet etc. and the I/O modules are both robust and compact. The Profibus slave features full diagnostics, indicating system power, bus power communication, and baud rate and system errors. I/O modules are available in 2, 4 and 8-channel versions.
Hitachi's quality HMIs can be integrated with any PLC system. What make these HMI a cut above the rest is that all the interfacing is already built-in at the back. The user only has to choose the required communication protocol. Profibus, DeviceNet, Ethernet, Interbus, etc. All the drivers for Siemens S5 and S7, Schneider and Allen Bradley are available. The HMI units are available in a range of sizes beginning with small text displays and progressing up to 15" colour touch-screens.
The Hitachi programming software (Pro-H) is all that is required to program all Hitachi PLCs - the need for different programming tools is eliminated.
For more information contact Gustav Verster, Elquip Solutions, 011 826 7117, [email protected], www.elquip.co.za
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