Relay modules take control

Two new electromechanical relay modules are designed for Compact FieldPoint and LabView Real-Time control applications.

National Instruments has two new electromechanical relay modules for Compact FieldPoint and LabView Real-Time control applications.

With the cFP-RLY-421 and the cFP-RLY-423, control and design engineers can perform relay switching on high- and low-voltage AC or DC signals.

These small, rugged relay modules can withstand high shock, vibration and wide temperature ranges allowing engineers to control indicator lights, external relays, motors and many power circuits.

Applications could include embedded machine control, industrial automation and in-vehicle data logging applications.

The cFP-RLY-421 delivers eight single-pole-single-throw and the cFP-RLY-423 delivers four single-pole-double-throw relays for more specialised applications, such as rerouting signals to reverse the polarity of a motor.

Both the cFP-RLY-421 and cFP-RLY-423 can switch up to 250V AC or 35V DC at 1.5A, and up to 250V DC at lower current levels.

Each channel on the modules uses a relay with a separate ground plane enabling engineers to switch signals at different voltages.

For example, control and design engineers can connect one channel to a 24V DC panel indicator light and another channel to a 250V AC motor control relay.

Using these integrated relay modules rather than traditional external relays means engineers can reduce wiring time and save space in embedded applications.

Industry analysts categorise Compact FieldPoint with a new line of products called programmable automation controllers (PACs) that combine the reliability and ruggedness of the PLC with the software functionality and flexibility of an industrial PC.

Unlike PLCs, control and design engineers can use Compact FieldPoint and easy-to-use LabView software to efficiently perform analogue control and custom calculations.

Using PACs, control and design engineers can perform analogue and discrete control, user-defined data logging, web-enabled applications, and advanced control algorithms.

Compact FieldPoint is ideal for high-vibration applications, withstanding 50g of shock and 5g of RMS vibration, even when mounted on heavy machinery or in vehicles.

Compact FieldPoint operates in temperatures ranging from -25 to +60C, enabling users to run embedded LabView applications in extreme environments where many industrial PCs fail.

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