I am attempting to compile a list of supplies that a common controls engineer would use. I think this site would be a great source of feedback for additions/advice...

My list so far:

Laptop computer w/serial port
Programming cables (how do you sort them? maybe I'll add a list of them all later..)
Roll-around cart for on-site support/travel
USB KVM for connecting desktop/laptop (Trendnet TK-207K KVM Switches)

Please add your advice/comments.

Thanks

I would put DVOM at the top of the list, and I use heavy duty zip-lock bags to sort my cables and keep them "trained" and untangled...

Don't forget screwdrivers...we all have our favorites, one in particular I find indispensable:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...UseBVCookie=Yes

It's actually 1/8 x 4 inches, but the picture they had for that description was wrong...

And don't forget:
--Jumper wires with insulated alligator clips
--fuse puller
--soldering iron

there are many more....

My two favorites, a portable resin top table with folding legs and a handle and my folding chair.

I do a lot of work in-plant on control panels where there isn't any place to put a laptop or to work

on an instrument. So my favorite field service tool is my portable bench.






I need a place to setup and work on a PC so I'm not squatting on the floor or holding the PC while

working. Carts are too awkward to carry in a sedan, and trying to scrounge up a cart in someone

else's plant for more than a temporary, couple minute hauling of stuff is a toughie.


So I bought a portable, folding plastic resin table (or bench, if you will) that's light weight with a

top that's 20"x30". I fastened a drawer pull handle on the side at the balance point so it carries

easily in one hand. It's maximum height is only 28", a tad too low for a 6'3" guy, but otherwise

ideal.


Guys in the plant will ask me if I'll iron their shirts for them when I'm done, because the folding legs

look just like your Mom's ironing board. But, hey, if you can't take the heat, stay out of the

kitchen!



With my portable bench and my folding chair and I'm ready to stare at the logic on the

PC screen all day long.


I won't leave the shop without
- 50' extension cord (if you panels don't have Ac power outlets)
- an AC outlet strip, with GFCI with its long 15' cord.


My other favorite tool is Harbor Freights' 100 piece security bit set, that includes 100, 1/4" hex

drive security bits, only 8 of which are duplicates (4 extra #2 phillips, 4 extra #2 pozidrives) all in a

plastic case for $15 regular, $10 on sale. part number 91310.





The only bit it doesn't have, to my knowledge, is the tiny T6 torx size used on cellular phones

cases (my kids bought colored faceplates which require the removal of a tiny torx on Nokias)

Set includes bits:
SAE hex allen (1/16 - 1/4)
SAE hex allen security (5/64 - 5/32)
metric hex allen (1.5-8mm, no 7mm)
metric hex allen security (2 - 6mm)
torx (T8-T45)
security torx (with the bore in the center) (T8-T40)
straight blade screwdriver (metric designations from 3-8mm)
spline drive (M5-M8)
clutch drive (1, 2, 3)
tapered square drive (0 - 3)
3 tine phillips* (1-4)
4 tine offset phillips* (6, 8,10)
2 pin spanner (4, 6, 8, 10)
phillips (0-3)
pozidrive (0-30)
adapters:
male 1/4" hex x magnetic female 1/4" hex
1/4" male hex (fits screwdriver) to 1/4" square male socket drive adapter, one short, one long
Y thingie with 1/4" hex male (don't know what it is)

Highly recommended because all the bits are in one place - the red plastic box.

You do need a hex bit screwdriver, though.


Other tools:
A requisite is a set of long leads (15 footers) for the DVM
signal source: 4-20mA unit
ethernet crossover and straight cables.
ethernet 4 port switch with its AC power supply adapter
paper clips (put 'em under screw terminals so the alligator clips can grab something besides a

round screw head)
10 ohm, 68.5 ohm & 250 ohm precision resistors (for various AI shunt resistors)
AA & AAA batteries
A digital camera with 3x optical zoom, to 'document' situations 'as found' and/or 'as finished'.
A set of miniature screwdrivers that fit the screws on terminal blocks.
A Wago spring release 'screwdriver' (what do they call that thing, anyhow?)
For firmware updates, I carry a smaller 350VA or 400VA UPS to ensure that power doesn't fail

during the firmware upload.
DB9 serial straight cable, DB9 serial null modem cable, DB9 sex changer adapters F-F, M-M
Brother P-Touch label machine and a couple spare label tapes (I mark everything ! !)

Dan

what vehicle or convoy of vehicles do you use for transport ?

There are some slight drawbacks to carrying one's comfort along

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I have a set of these screw drivers:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?...L&ihtoken=1

A cable made up with standard RS-232 DB-9 on one end, 3-wires and flying leads on the other end so you can hack into ANYTHING RS-232...snoop and stuff.


A Fluke Meter

An O-scope

A Brady wire-labeler

Wire strippers "Kliens"

LED flash light

Good set of Klien screw drivers

Your own lockout tag outs

Safety glasses

Network snoop software on your laptop.

RS-232 snoop software on your laptop download SuperMon from the downloads.

Convert software on your laptop. For those "analog" moments...

Stop watch.

Radio Shack Instant thermo meter.

that's all I can think off right now. and I am going to PIN this one too...another great topic...

I've been looking for an an ethernet switch without an extra power supply (maybe powered from a USB port on my laptop) to connect to my laptop. I find myself often in places where no power cords are available... ok for my laptop but I often need to connect into an existing ethernet.

Like this one ?

Lots of good suggestions. Let me add a few.
CD Wallet with full set of install CDs for any progams you'll need on site. Never know when the customers morning coffee will find its way into your laptop and leave you without a PC.

Thumb drive or other portable media with encrypted copies of all travel documents and wallet contents. Actually had a co-worker get her purse stolen on a job site. The thumb drive and a police report let her catch a flight home. Otherwise she might still be stuck in Seattle.

I didn't even think of an LED flashlight as a tool, because always I carry mine in my pocket, since these old eyes aren't getting dimmer and dommer. This one uses 3 AAA batteries.


$5 from Harbor Freight , p/n 93712-1VGA
and I get $9 commission from every sale
Dan

A few extra things that have come to mind:

Tape Measure
Leatherman or other Multi-Tool (I use the knife/scissors a lot!)
USB Floppy
Blank Cd/DVD Media (great for giving customer files and PC backups)

thanx,

that's exactly what I've been looking for

Beegee

FYI, I reccomend using a hub or "managed switch" but not a switch.

With EtherNet/IP you cannot monitor traffic with a normal switch.

One of the tricks I have used on cables is the Velcro from the garden dept at most big box stores.
It comes in a roll and is vary cheep. You can cut it to the size you need and works good to keep the cables bundled up.

The Velcro does wonders for keeping cables untangled. I play music in a rock n roll band on the weekends and these things have become absolutely necessary to use.

Other items....

Extension cables for your PC to PLC connections.

MS DOS boot disk. Windose 98 boot disk works pretty well also.

Alligator clips.

The list is long. Most of them are covered above. I keep most of the items in a couple of bags that reside on my roll around cart with my PC.

I work in a factory, so some of the items will differ from the items you traveling guys use.

Fluke 771 Milliamp Process Clamp Meter

As soon as my dealer gets back to me, I will be adding one of these to my arsenal.

1 tube of super glue.

I used this one today. Sooner or later you are going to have to put a screw in a place that is impossible to reach to start the screw. A dab of super glue on the end of the screwdriver will keep that screw there so you can start it but its easy enough to break the bond to remove the screw driver. It works better than the screw keepers that come on some screw drivers and it seems that a large percentage of the screws I work with are not magnetic.

I believe they are for driving eye bolts.

A couple of band-aids for those .

I always have a large supply of zip ties and the tool for tightening/cutting them. Great for keeping "things out of your way".

A chunk of caution tape can help you keep "helpers" at a safe distance.

A small container of crimp on butt splices and fork terminals. Can come in handy in a pinch, I prefer not to use them for long term solutions.

Assorted colors of scotch 33+ electrical tape.

just about everything mentioned plus padlock, adjustable wrench, set of allen keys (metric and imperial), swiss knife, wire cutter, usb drive, external 2.5" HDD (much more compact and more convenient than pack of DVD discs with all installs etc.). PCMCIA CF reader (with CF of course) to transfer programs to and from robots and HMIs, tons of programming cables, few field attachable M8 and M12 connectors, RS232/RS422/485 converter, magnets, tesla coil (ok, not really, just checking if anyone reads), red pen, yellow highlighter, sharpie marker, lighter (i don't smoke, just compact replacement for heat gun),

GREAT idea. Thanks for sharing that with us. Dan

Definitely. My greatest concern is to have all things with me I can't get in a well equipped workshop or any store. Usually that means a stuffed laptop case with all necessary cables, USB HD with all software, travel plug adapter, AAA batteries, any hardlock dongles and my cell phone and Ipod charger and USB data cable. When traveling only with hand-luggage no tools at all, when having check in luggage just a small toolbag with the basics and mostly spare parts when stuff is broken.

One to add to the list is a CAT5 cable tester for RJ45 plugs to check ethernet cabling.



That's a nice one, but too bad it doesn't include a loop tester.



Together with industrial 3M double sided tape excellent for "creative" jobs. I won't give examples, I'd like to keep my credibility intact

no problem, I have a very creative imagination and we have some (less exemplary) experiences of our own

Tylenol....to get rid of the headache caused by the guy standing behind you watching you troubleshoot, and saying "Why is this machine not working?"...."Are you nearly done?"...."We need to get up and running ASAP!"

Not that I want to promote Tylenol...Ibuprofen works just as well..LOL

another creative use of tape could also do the job

Ear plugs to protect your hearing, also double as selective hearing devices.

I find a Van De Graff generator to be far more useful. (especially at solving the problem mentioned by ECSI and beegee)

It's interesting that none of you have have mentioned a "bike cable" and lock, for fastening your notebook to a building column or some other permanent structure. You must work in safer plants than I do! I've been places where, if you walk away from your notebook to use the bathroom, you should expect not to return to it

I carry the usual assortment of cables for my PLC. I find that a leatherman and a swiss army knife will get me into most cabinets. I have a Fluke 189 meter. I bought this model a little over a year ago to replace my aging 87 series. This upgrade has been helpful in that I can datalog on it and upload to my laptop.

I work in a plant and sometimes travel to other plants. Because of this I have developed habits when it comes to tools I may have to drop in a bag and carry or sit in roll around tool box at work. (yes I am to cheap to buy two sets of tools)

I buy tools in sets. I like them to have their own case or bag.
I now prefer Wahi screwdrivers to Klien. (pet peeve is a stripped screw)
A 1/4" wratchet set with a tip set similar to the Harbor Freight listed above.
A RPM /Tempature measuring tool. (just got this a few moths ago and I really like it)
Several sets of channel locks (I think the proper name is adjustable pliers)
Several sizes of cresent wrenches ( proper name I think is adjustble wrench)
Wire strippers, crimpers and needle nose pliers.

I have found over the years if you are traveling it is almost impossible to carry everything you will need. I have made tools in the field and it always bothers me to take a good tool and butcher it to get one job done (I think having to buy a replacement is what gets me).

If I were you, I'd be looking for a better class of customers.

I hope that includes both metric and English!

I carry only a few basic hand tools. If I can't get the job done with basic tools, it's a job that the plant's maintenance department should also be involved in.

A lot of what I do involves serial communications. I have a set of short leads for DSub connectors, of the type you can insert/extract pins. Male to male, female to female and male to female along with 9 pin, 15 pin and 25 pin male and female shells. With them I can quickly make up a serial cable in any configuration I need.

Its the left hand right hand versions that get me.

I see different brands of screwdrivers mentioned but not electric screwdrivers. Some of the people I work with have rejected the use of them until they tried it. They are especially useful for wiring or unwiring entire panels.

We use Milwaukee brand though other manufacturers make the same style.

Maybe we should split this topic in two topics: one for people who have to go on intervention by car/van/truck and one for the people like me who have to travell light (by plane, subjected to the security rules today)

I'd like to take an electric screwdriver, complete screwdriver set, hammer, ethernet hub, 1( different connection cables, some RS232/422 converters, all kinds of loggers,... but weight and size prevent me from doing so. So we need a special subset of (typically expensive) light and small tools.

regards

Yet another reason I do not miss being the traveling repairman. I still have to travel some with the company I work for now but I usually know ahead of time what I am going to be getting into so I can pack accordingly. So staying under 50 lbs is usually easy.

Things I always carry:

Laptop with freshly burned backup CD
USB drives for storing programs and transfering them to other computers.
Leatherman and swiss army knife
Flashlight
Very basic wrench and screwdriver set.


Kinda OT but, anybody ever have there tool box lost by the airline?

Had mine lost once and the agent said " buy what you need at the local hardware store and we will remburse you." I did ask her which Hardware Store sold industrial tools and got a blank stare for my efforts.
Best part: I had landed in San Degio and the job was in Tequana. Needless to say, that was a real fun trip

I use re-usable cable ties for my cables.

USB hub is essential.

Bluetooth serial ports are also essential - cannot do without them. Have 4 now and go online to 4 PLCs - or more if networked - and walk around with the laptop over the arm - or go outside for a smoke and still online. No cables for bumble footed people to fall over either.

I also take along a little toggle switch box I made myself. To flag inputs if needed.

Please explain this topology for me. I'm not familiar with it.

You are sending your serial (RS-232?) data to a bluetooth wireless 'modem', which would be what kind of device? brand, model?

Do you use the same device on the PC end?

What kind of range to you get?

Do the bluetooth devices just forward whatever bit stream they receive, or do you have to somehow configure the bluetooth adapter for the serial setup - baud rate, # of bits, stop bits,

Is the wireless link reliale enough to use for programming, or just monitoring?

Dan

It is a bluetooth to rs232 converter and back (Omron sells this in Europe but it is a rebrand)

Yes. You can use any Bluetooth USB device - most appear to be re-badged Widcomm as is the one from Logitech for their Bluetooth mouse/keyboard combos. The one Omron sell is also a Widcomm. The Bluetooth serial ports are Promi. They are not re-badged just sold as they are. I bought the lot from Omron here in Ozz - easier than chasing all over the place for gear although cost a bit more.

Explanation Dan,
USB Bluetooth dongle in computer - see above.
Promi Bluetooth serial port in RS232 port in PLC.
You set the serial port up to "pair lock" with the USB dongle as, say, com 6.
Then set up the PLC serial port for 8, 1, none - in the case of Omron I run at 115kbaud. I also use Omron's Toolbus protocol. This allows the connected PLC to act as a "gateway" to all other PLCs on the network, if there is one.
The serial port requires to have 5 VDC on, I think, pin 9. However, there is a side plug supplied where you could power the device with a separate power supply.
Your PLC software would also have to be set up to 8, 1, none.
The 4 Promis I have are set to com 6, com 7, com 8 and com 9. Each USB dongle will support up to 7 Promi serial ports. The USB dongle grabs com 5 to make itself into a pseudo serial port.
Range is up to 120 metres with the latest Bluetooth technology. However, that is in absolutely perfect conditions. I have been reliably running, connected to 4 PLCs, at a range of about 30 metres. Have not really tried any further.
Yes, I do use the setup to online program the PLCs.
By using the serial port on the Omron CJ1 processor to connect to an Omron NS series HMI one should be able to set up a serial card for the Promi and use the pass through function to also program the screen from far away by the same method. Have not tried this yet but may get to soon.

I use ziplock bags. Keeps them from getting tangled

Here's one that hasn't been mentioned yet, I don't think. for those of you that deal with A-B panelviews, you NEED a PCMCIA Flash ATA memory card. Yeah, there are other ways of transferring a file to a panelview, but by far, the memory card is the quickest and most reliable. Do it once and you won't ever want to fool with pass-through or a serial cable again.

(BTW.. If you want to get one, make sure it says "ATA" on the card or it won't work. There are cards that look identical but follow a different standard (I think it's called "databook") and can't be used this way.)

When doing work south of the US border or some over seas work. We do not bring any hand tools. We instead buy (and charge them to the job) the real inexpensive hand tools. We then send them with the job. When the job is done we give them away to the skilled trades that helped us on location. The next time you have to call on these locations you are king SH** with them and your work gets done quickly.

Bud

That sounds like a really good plan. Nothing beats the gratitude and support of local tradesmen.


Here's another "travel essential", if you work with A-B stuff: an A126 key (for PLC-5, panelview "e", maybe others), a D018 key (for the 800T keyswitch.. 99% of them use the default D018) and a SLC key.

I've also got a Robotron key on my keychain, even though I don't deal with welders that much anymore!

Plenty of Mountain Dew for those long nights troubleshooting to make sure the plant is up and running on Monday morning.

I keep my cables in file folders, the accordian type with sides that expand. I put the ones I need in my laptop bag when I leave the office, and when I get back it's back into the file cabinet. Good thing about file folders is you can label the folder, and you'll know when one of your cables has been 'borrowed'. I keep mine broken into folders based on manufacturer and device type. Like the 'Mitsubishi PLC' folder has an SC09, FX-USB-AW, and SC-Q, along with a standard USB cable with the square end for the PLC. The 'Mitsubishi HMI' folder includes a CAB5, CAB30, and FX-232CAB-1.

Years ago at a previous company I bought a tripod laptop stand. I found a similar one at www.tabelz.com, but can't locate the more rugged one I had before. Looked almost like a surveyor's stand.

With a little bit of practice this will get you into most cabinets.

http://www.southord.com/images/fullsize/JPXS-6.jpg

LOL I think you are looking for the Supplies for common burglar topic ?

We use this from Phoenix Contact.

[attachmentid=5129]

It looks less conspicuous when we have to get into a cabinet.

Yep, got that one too. Had one from Rittal which looks nice, but in fact is a piece of c r a p.

No, believe it or not, these are legal to own by the average citizen, and quite easy to learn how to use to open most simple locks like you'd find in a PLC cabinet, filing cabinet and the like. What else are you going to do if no one has the key anymore?

I have one of those in my bag as well as a much larger kit, remember, it's not the tools that makes the crime, it's the usage.

Almost forgot.. This is what I use to get into enclosures. It is just a $1 craftsman keychain screwdriver with one side ground back so that it'll reach into the recessed slot of a disconnect handle. Lucky for me, 99% of the time I work with NEMA enclosures so I don't need that funky square-drive key for the euro-style boxes!

[attachmentid=5136]

this will be ideal tool


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