Zen and the art of flexible machine control

Simple yet flexible control for a variety of small-scale applications can now be achieved easily and economically with a new range of self-contained programmable relays.

Simple yet flexible control for a variety of small-scale applications can now be achieved easily and economically with the new Zen range of self-contained programmable relays from Omron Electronics.

These units are very easy to program, and provide powerful functions which, depending on the model, can include analogue facilities, a real-time clock and a calendar.

In addition, retentive timers and holding bits mean that Zen relays can provide control sequences which pick up where they left off after a power failure, rather than having to start from scratch.

Zen relays are available in standard versions, which incorporate an LCD screen and eight operation buttons, and in versions without a screen or buttons, which offer a money saving option for OEM applications.

Where fitted, the LCD screen may be used to display the relay's program, and even to show simple operational messages programmed by the user.

Relays in the Zen range provide six digital inputs and four digital outputs, and are available in versions for operation from AC supplies in the range 100 to 240V, or from 24V DC supplies.

For all models, the operating voltage for the digital inputs is the same as the supply voltage.

The units are provided with relay outputs rated 8A at 250V, making them easy to interface with relay-based control equipment.

DC versions of the Zen programmable relays are also equipped, as standard, with a single analogue input, and all versions can be supplied with an integral calendar and clock.

These features make the relays ideal for use in energy management, building control and other time- and date-dependent applications.

For larger systems, where additional input/output is required, the basic Zen relays can be fitted with I/O expansion units, which allow the digital I/O capacity to be extended up to a maximum of 34 points.

Omron's Zen relays can be programmed using an intuitive ladder-diagram- based language.

On versions which have a LCD screen, programming may be carried out using this in conjunction with the operation buttons, without the need to use additional equipment of any kind.

Alternatively, all models can be programmed with the aid of the Zen Software Support package which runs under Windows on any standard PC.

User programs are easily transported with a simple copying unit, and the user display can be selected from any one of six languages.

(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 12 February 2002).

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