RS485 I/O Modules
Introduction
I-7000 and M-7000 remote I/O modules provide cost-effective protection and conditioning for a wide range of valuable industrial control system. The product line includes sensor-tocomputer, computer-to-sensor, digital I/O, timer/counter, RS-232 to RS-485 converter, USB to RS-485 converter, RS-485 repeater, RS-485 hub and RS-232/422/485 to Fiber Optics. I-7000 supports DCON protocol, and M-7000 modules support Modbus RTU and DCON protocols. Many SCADA/HMI software and PLCs support Modbus RTU protocol. It is easy for them to integrate with M-7000 modules.
The I-7000 series is a family of network data acquisition and control modules that support DCON protocols. It has the same form factor as the M-7000 series.
The M-7000 series is a family of network data acquisition and control modules that support Modbus RTU and DCON protocols. With the Modbus RTU protocol, it can easily communicate with most popular SCADA/ HMI software and PLC. It has the same form factor as the I-7000 series.
Features
RS-485 Industrial Multi-Drop Network
I-7000/M-7000 series modules use the industrial EIA RS-485 communication interface to transmit and receive data at high speed over long distance. All modules are easy to integrate to the regular computer and controller. Internal surge protection circuitry is used on data lines to protect the modules from spikes.
I/O type and Range Programmable
The analog modules support several types and ranges which can be selected remotely by issuing command from the host.
Easy Mounting and Connection
The user may mount the modules on a DIN rail or piggyback.
Rugged Industrial Environment
I-7000 and M-7000 modules provide module watchdog and host watchdog. The module watchdog is a hardware watchdog designed to automatically reset the micro-processor when the module hangs. The host watchdog is a software watchdog that monitors the communication status of the host controller, such as PC, PLC and PAC. The output of module will go to the safe value state when the host fails to prevent any erroneous operations. The Dual Watchdog design ensures higher reliability and stability.
Programmable Power-on Value and Safe Value
The DO and AO I/O modules provide programmable power-on value and safe value. When the host watchdog is active, the DO and AO output go to the pre-configured safe value.
Advanced DI Functions
DI channel is not only for reading digital input status but also provides several advanced functions in the meanwhile.
DI Latch Function
All DI channels provide Latch function to keep the high/low events in the internal registers of the module. In general, the host controller polls modules one by one to get all DI status. Because RS-485 is a low speed field bus, the polling will take time and probably miss a short duration signal. With the DI latch function, the short duration (>=5ms) signal will not be lost any more.
Low Speed Counter
The DI module automatically counts the DI signal in the background. The signal under 100Hz can be detected and counted.
Overvoltage Protection
Many of our analog input modules provide high overvoltage protection for the analog input channels. When user picks wrong line accidentally or high voltage spike is applied to the analog input terminals, the module will not be broken and can still get the correct readings. This feature improves the reliability, reduces maintenance frequency, and makes the whole system more robust.
Open Wire Detection
The thermocouple, RTD and thermistor sensors are widely used in temperature control applications. If the system can not monitor the open wire status of the sensors, it may be very dangerous and cause large damage to life and property. When the wire of sensor is broken and the controller does not know the open wire status, the system may heat the boiler continuously and result in fire or explosion. Our thermocouple, RTD, thermistor modules provide open wire detection and make the system safer.
Over-current Protection
For the current measurement module, it may be damaged when there is high current or voltage introduced into the current loop. The protection for current measurement is improved to +/-120 VDC and +/-1000 mA.. A high current or voltage in the current loop will not damage the current measurement, so the whole system can work normally.
Virtual Channel to Channel Isolation
The “R” and “Z” version of analog input modules provide +/-400 VDC virtual channel to channel isolation to avoid the noise interference from adjacent channel in the industrial environment. To name a few of the modules, they are I-7017R, I-7017Z, I-7018R, I-7018Z, I-7019R, and I-7019Z. Though it is not real channel to channel isolation, there is only 1uA leakage current between two adjacent channels and the interference is very small and can be negligible.
Common Voltage Protection
The typical application is to monitor the charging status of the batteries in series. The voltage of each battery is +10 VDC so the first battery is +10 VDC, the second battery is +20 VDC etc. The differential voltage of the 20th battery is only +10 VDC between vin+ and vin- terminal, while the common voltage is up to 200 VDC. If the common voltage of the analog input module is not large enough, then it can not measure the correct voltage of the battery in charging. ICP DAS analog input modules provide +/-200 VDC high common voltage for industrial applications.
ESD Protection
In the industrial environment there are many noise, spike, electrostatic etc. If the module is not strong enough, it is very easy to be damaged. The I-7K and M-7K modules all pass +/-4 KV ESD contact and +/-8 KV ESD air tests by static electricity gun in our laboratory. The test procedures follow the IEC 61000-4-2 standard. Our modules are immunity to the electrostatic discharges by using components that can clamp and resist to the high voltages defined by IEC 61000-4-2 standard.
3000 VDC Isolation
The I-7K and M-7K series have 3000 VDC isolation between the field and the internal logic. This isolation prevents the noise from the field to the internal logic that can damage the module. It is recommended to choose isolated modules that will be connected on RS-485 network. There will be no interference from the neighbor module because the noise from the neighbor module is isolated.
Dual Communication Protocols
All I-7000 and M-7000 modules use a simple command /response protocol for communication. M-7000 also supports the industrial standard Modbus RTU protocol. The user can use high-level language, such as C, VB, Delphi, and others to write their application programs. Some famous software package can control I-7000 and M-7000 directly, such as LabView, Indusoft, Tracemode, EZ data logger, EZ Prog..etc.
I-7000: supports DCON protocol
M-7000: supports Modbus RTU and DCON protocols
Self-Tuner Inside
"Self-Tuner" is a patented ASIC. It auto-tunes the baud rate and data format in whole RS-485 network, and autohandles the direction of the RS-485 communication line. Since the unique features of this ASIC, the user can implement a very flexible remote I/O configuration via the RS-485 network.
Expandable Network
I-7510 repeater is more than a pure isolated repeater. "Self-Tuner" ASIC is built-in. It has some outstanding features, such as 3000V isolation, 115K max. speed, variable baud rate and data format. Each I-7510 repeater can let you extend the network to another 4,000 ft long. Actually the user should consider the network length and the hardware loading effect and use I-7510 to isolate different groups to avoid high voltage hitting the whole system through a single communication network.