Conrad Business Supplies has introduced a new range of flexible and customisable programmable logic controllers (PLCs) exclusively from CONTROLLINO, a subsidiary of Austrian manufacturer SG-Tronic GmbH. These new products are suited to a variety of automation applications, including temperature management, advanced lighting and media control.
The range comprises of three models: the Mini, Maxi and Mega, each of which is aimed at meeting different levels of application requirement and complexity. All models, developed and implemented using the ARDUINO open source platform, are based on the ATmega microcontroller from Atmel and have a clock speed of 16MHz. Key features include a direct processor contact with 4000V ESD protection across all pins, a range of interfaces including SPI, I2C, RS232, RS485, and an internal real-time clock (RTC) which can be switched on and off. A front-panel USB port supports simplified external programming.
The CONTROLLINO Mini offers a number of different inputs and outputs (6x relays outputs, 8x analogue/digital inputs and 8x digital outputs) in a compact package, measuring 94.5mm x 59.4mm x 36mm. The Maxi offers greater flexibility (10x relays outputs, 12x analog/digital inputs and 12x digital outputs) with the addition of an Ethernet connecter and a second RS232 Interface.
The highest specification unit is the CONTROLLINO Mega, which is a capable of handling a current of up to 30A and offers 16x relays outputs, 24x analog/digital inputs, 12x high side switch digital outputs and a further twelve half-bridge digital outputs.
Author
Neil Tyler
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk