What You Need to Know about I/O and Terminal Blocks

Aug. 18, 2014
Get the Latest Information on I/Os and Terminal Blocks

I/O PRIMER
The Automation Primer website covers a variety of automation subjects, including I/O. The I/O section includes discussions on discrete and analog I/O, serial and parallel communications, Ethernet, USB connectors, high-speed connectors, and decoders. It also covers a variety of protocols, including DeviceNet, Profibus, Foundation fieldbus, ConrolNet, AS-i and EtherNet/IP.
Automation Primer
http://automationprimer.com

AS-I TECHNOLOGY
AS-i is a bus system for networking sensors and actuators. This tutorial covers the history and development of the system, its benefits, characteristics, versions, specifications, connectivity, safety issues, limitations, standards and regulations.
SMAR
www.smar.com

THE COMPLETE DIGITAL I/O TUTORIAL
This tutorial from National Instruments covers choosing the right industrial digital I/O and counter/timer module, the industrial feature set, complementary devices, basic concepts, industrial application examples and a lists of additional white papers and webcasts.
National Instruments
www.ni.com

GUIDE TO INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET
This free, 19-page PDF, "Industrial Ethernet: A Control Engineer's Guide," provides an overview of Ethernet
technology and its benefits in the data networking environment. It discusses the requirements and benefits of using a switched Ethernet architecture in industrial networking environments. Learn about the OSI reference model and functions, the differences between IP, TCP and UDP, network requirements, security, network topology and more.
Cisco
www.cisco.com

PICK THE RIGHT TERMINAL BLOCK
This discussion forum addresses questions from readers. One reader poses this question: "When pulling all out WHA wiring together, I'm leaning toward using a DIN rail with terminal blocks to manage the transition from the in-wall wiring over to the rack-mounted gear. Is there a resource out there to get a jumpstart on planning DIN rail setups? I'd like to get a handle on just how many terminal blocks I'll need and how they'll fit into wall enclosures." Good, considered answers are provided, with plenty of illustrations and practical advice.
AVS
www.avsforum.com

ALL ABOUT PROFIBUS
This short tutorial covers the basics of Profibus I/O technology. Information includes a brief overview of Profibus, as well as an explanation to help  users understand the interfacing of the fieldbus I/O to Cimetrix Open Development Environment (CODE) control processes. The tutorial is prepared by a faculty member at the Electronic Assembly & Automation Laboratory (EAAL) at Brigham Young University.
EAAL
http://eaal.groups.et.byu.net/

IOWA BASICS
This tutorial from DDC Online, the direct digital control center at Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University, covers the basics of both digital and analog input and output devices and sensors, including switches, a variety of sensors, sequencers and variable-speed drives. It also includes an introduction to direct digital control systems, a glossary of terms, I/O used and a list of product manufacturers.  
 DDC Online
www.ddc-online.org

THE BOOK ON I/O
Omega's Transactions Series, Vol. 2, Data Acquisition covers both analog and digital I/O functionality, analog and digital signal transmission and more. The free PDF is downloadable at bit.ly/1uFa5UJ.
Omega
www.omega.com

FOUNDATION FIELDBUS SLIDE SHOWS
This direct link takes you to a collection of more than a dozen slide shows on various aspects of Foundation fieldbus technology, including what fieldbus is, fieldbus function blocks, fieldbus communication, fieldbus EDDL, justifying the expense, advanced functionality and more. Go to slidesha.re/1qj6vck.
Slideshare
www.slideshare.net