HMIs simplify DC drive control

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 12, 2003

Sprint Electric has a range of human machine interfaces for its popular ranges of PL and PLX digital DC drives.

Sprint Electric has a range of human machine interfaces (HMIs) for its popular ranges of PL and PLX digital DC drives.

These powerful, flexible yet cost effective HMIs allow users to set every parameter and interrogate the drives remotely, adding a significant extra level of programming and control to what are already the most user friendly DC drives available.

Designed for panel mounting, the compact HMIs connect to the drive via a standard RS232 allowing drives to be quickly set up and diagnosed without opening the door of the cabinet.

An RS485 interface or 4-20mA loop controller is also available with the use of an appropriate convertor.

For sites with multiple drives, a single HMI can be used to control up to 128 drives when using the RS485 connection, which can be up to 1km long.

Manufactured by Horner APG, the HMIs can also provide a gateway from the drive to a range of factory automation networks, including Profibus-DP and DeviceNet, enabling the drive to communicate with PLCs and other devices on the network.

Horner's Windows-based Cbreeze software makes programming the HMIs quick and easy, enabling users to create messages on the screen, configure the buttons and set the parameters required for many specific applications.

All the 720 PLX drive parameters can be accessed through the HMI by configuration of the appropriate PIN number in the Cbreeze software tool.

For example, the four function buttons can be set up to start, stop, ramp or provide preset speeds and up to 300 programmable screens can be created.

With intuitive "wizards" and online help available, Cbreeze is suitable for both novices and advanced users.

Four models of HMI are available to suit all user requirements.

The entry level TIU050 has an 80 x 17mm display for text only and 10 function keys.

The TIU100 has a larger 70 x 38mm display for text and pixel-based graphics but no function keys, whereas the similar 110 also has a large numeric keypad which doubles up as 12 function keys.

The top of the range TIU200 has 18 function keys and a large 130 x 75mm display suitable for text and full graphics.

The TIU100, TIU110 and TIU200 offer the option of DeviceNet or Profibus network connectivity and all the HMIs have four operation buttons, RS232 programming port, RS232/485 communication port and are suitable for 9-35V DC operation.

Horner HMIs are CE marked, offer protection to IP65 and are suitable for operation in temperatures of 0 to 50C.

Offering all the benefits of DC technology including full torque at zero speed, accurate speed control, high energy efficiency and simple configuration, Sprint Electric's advanced DC digital drives are rated up to 265kW.

The four-quadrant PLX covers the range 5 to 225kW, whereas the two-quadrant PL is available in ratings between 5 and 265kW.

The PLX range is designed to be the most compact, powerful, flexible and easy to program digital DC drive on the market, and the introduction of a range of compatible HMIs further enhances their usability.