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Chris Elston

E-mailed question: Budget PLC Project?

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Don Diego (webdiego@mail.com) on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 at 14:55:03 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- comments: We are doing a computer science senior project and are interested in putting together a plc home automation system. We want to design the pc interface however are stuck trying to piece the hardware. We need to have real-time control/integration over a temperature sensor, air-conditioner, dimmable lighting, security, etc... Can you offer advice on a budget system that can handle this?

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Hmmm.... Can you be more specific? How many I/O of what type? What is the budget? How much time you want to spend? Is interface to PC a must? Is the PC supposed to be controller as well or just development station? Is HMI interface required? How many? If you are looking for mixed I/Os connected to PC which is also controller, take a look at ADAM4000 series modules (Adaptec) or equivalent. They would be interesting (can be fairly easily distributed and size is rather compact compared to most PLCs). Connecting to PC and programming is easy as well and it should scale well for such project. If you want control system independant from PC you can take a look at compact PLCs such as FX from Mitsubishi (available with bunch of I/O in compact form plus 24V power supply). They can be networked etc. Check out Basic Tiger. They are I think from Germany but have distributors everywhere. If you are not shy from electronics you can try microcontrolers such as Basic Stamp (Paralax) and make really compact and low power systems. Basic Stamp modules are quite pricey, so you might try to use PIC controllers in their native form (or any microcontroller of your choice). They can be used for interfaces as well to directly drive LCD character modules. Anyway, there is no limit to what can be done. It's up to you to select path you like. Enjoy... panic mode Edited by panic mode

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Thanks for your reply... We are beginning a project that will include a 3 wire thermometer/thermostat(preferable a Digital output), a DirectLogic PLC (05 or 06 with relay outputs Digital inputs), a small motor to simulate a damper, and a serial connected PC. The PC will (graphically)monitor using a Java interface that we will build from scratch, and send commands to the PLC but otherwise the system is standalone. We need help in assessing if this PLC will allow a Java-Driven GUI. Basically we want to be able to "read" the thermo device in real-time. Tech support has been slow and we are skeptical of the ability to interface with the PLC BY WAY OF the software and drivers that will be provided. We appreciate all your help...

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The fastest and easiest way to do this is to use DSDDE as the OLE/ DDE server. Then it is easy to use VB, VC, or any language to access the variables you want.

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