{"id":14789,"date":"2019-11-22T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T08:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.engineernewsnetwork.com\/blog\/?p=14789"},"modified":"2019-11-21T10:47:05","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T10:47:05","slug":"all-you-need-is-a-little-plc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.engineernewsnetwork.com\/blog\/all-you-need-is-a-little-plc\/","title":{"rendered":"All you need is a little PLC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Is a safety PLC right for you?\u00a0Bernard Zwickler provides the answers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Apple released the iPhone X in 2017, some critics suggested the improvements compared to its predecessor were not worth the extra cost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you could benefit from facial identification and an OLED display, the iPhone X may be a good choice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Manufacturers must also consider the specifications they need when choosing between a standard programmable logic controller (PLC) and a safety PLC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety PLCs support all the applications of standard PLCs. The difference is that, while standard PLCs have a single microprocessor, to which manufacturers often add safety functions using relays, safety PLCs use redundant microprocessors. This eliminates the need for safety relays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each input circuit in a safety PLC has an associated output circuit so that errors in the system, such as short circuits, ground faults and channel mismatches, can be detected. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety PLCs have two core functions; to reduce the chance of a fault and to shut the system down safely if a fault occurs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A safe and systematic shut down is important in circumstances where an instant shut down could cause harm to users or equipment, such as if a robotic arm is holding an item in mid-air.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A safety PLC can ensure the robotic arm places the item down securely before shutting down, while the remainder of the system shuts down instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety PLCs that offer additional functions are now available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, ABB was the first to develop a safety PLC with integrated condition monitoring. This means the system can monitor the status of brakes on moving equipment by measuring vibration levels, which reduces the risk of collisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is it for me?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upfront costs of safety PLCs are higher than those of standard PLCs. Therefore, if the safety system is basic, such as one emergency stop button and a light curtain, it may be more cost effective to use a standard PLC with a safety relay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, safety applications become more complex when more than three inputs must be monitored and controlled or when communication over a digital network is required.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, engineers should consider safety PLCs, which would integrate all control and safety functions and save costs on hard wiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bernhard Zwickler is director of automation parts supplier <strong>EU Automation GmbH<\/strong>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is a safety PLC right for you?\u00a0Bernard Zwickler provides the answers When Apple released the iPhone X in 2017, some critics suggested the improvements compared to its predecessor were not worth the extra cost.&nbsp; However, if you could benefit from facial identification and an OLED display, the iPhone X may be a good choice.&nbsp; Manufacturers &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[7497,7498],"class_list":["post-14789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","","category-process","tag-eu-automation-gmbh","tag-safety-plcs"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>All you need is a little PLC - Engineer News Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is a safety PLC right for you? 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