Opto 22 knows solid-state relays (SSRs) very, very well. We’ve been manufacturing our optically isolated, epoxy-filled SSRs for more than 40 years, and over that time have gained quite a bit of practical knowledge and experience about using SSRs in applications.
SSRs have replaced electromechanical relays (EMRs) in many applications, thanks to their advantages:
Some recent Opto 22 products, like the SNAP-UDC-HDB breakout board and the 8-channel SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module, use new spring clamps for wiring field devices.
These spring clamps are faster for wiring and take up less space than the screw type, so they're a real advantage.
They may be a little tricky till you get used to them, though.
Topics: Videos, Tips, optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-30
"I always recommend that customers configure the PAC Display Event Log to be logged to file," says Bill Steffens, our Product Support Lead.
"If you have an issue, it can be very helpful to track the events in the Event Log over time."
By default, PAC Display shows events only in the Event Log window. But when you reload PAC Display or choose Save and Load Runtime, for example, the Event Log window starts over again; it doesn't retain any previous information.
Topics: Tips, optonews, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-16
If you're someone who likes to save time, you probably already know about keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+S to save or CTRL+F to find. But do you know about the shortcuts in PAC Control? Here are a few that can speed your programming.
Topics: Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-02
If you use PAC Control to develop your control programs, here's a question you may have: What the heck are IVAL and XVAL?
You see these terms in Simulation commands such as IVAL Set Analog Point, and you also see them when you inspect I/O points in Debug mode.
Topics: Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-02-03
Solid state relays (SSRs) are simple, reliable devices. If one stops working, typically it just refuses to turn on or off.
How do you test it to see if it has failed?
If you're used to testing mechanical relays, you'll find an SSR requires a different testing method: it requires a load.
Topics: Tips, optonews, SSRs, OptoNews 2016-01-20
We've talked recently about digital and analog totalizing: getting total running values for on-time, flow, power production, and so on.
The next step is using those totals in your PAC Control strategy—and in your groov mobile operator interface—to get the information you need.
Topics: Process control, Discrete control, Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-01-06
Have you seen some of our newer high-density, high-speed, or multifunction I/O modules and wished you could use them in your legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O system?
Have you wanted to build an easy-to-use groov mobile interface for your legacy system?
Or wanted to log a lot more data locally?
If so, we have a tip for you: check out the SNAP-PAC-R1-B programmable automation controller.
Topics: Updates, Tips, optonews, PACs, New products, Migration, I/O, OptoNews 2015-12-16
Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time.
How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month?
If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck.
Topics: Energy management, Process control, Tips, optonews, I/O, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-12-02
Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy?
Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?"
In either case, this tip is for you.
A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons:
Topics: Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-11-18