Have you ever wondered how the digital and analog signals, coming from devices such as
valves or sensors, are connected to the PLC's input and output modules? In this video, using
a practical example, you're going to learn exactly how these field devices are wired
and connected to the PLC's input and output modules.
Okay as you can see, here I've got a few different PLC input and output modules. Each one of
these modules is wired to different devices in the field such as switches, valves, temperature
or pressure transmitters. In this video we're going to explore how these PLC input and output
modules are wired to these devices. To get started let’s take closer look at
this input module here. This is a S7-300 analog input module. When
you order this module from Siemens and open the box you'll see something like this. Now
if you open the front door for the first time, you'll be surprised because you'll see that
there is nowhere you can wire anything to this module and that's where you'll say what
the heck?!! Now what should you do? To be able to wire
your control signals to this module you simply need to buy an additional accessory called
a "front connector". Now how does this work? To use the front connector
you first need to wire the control signals to these terminals and then install the front
connector on the PLC module. To install the front connector on your PLC
module you should first hold down this module lock here and then simply push the connector
into the module to install it. As you can see, the wires coming from the
field devices are connected to the front connector via wire ferrules. You always need to use
these wire ferrules while wiring the control signal to the front connector but before that
you should first connect the wire to the ferrule. So you first put a wire ferrule on your wire
and then connect that to the front connector's terminal.
Now let’s see how to do this. The first thing that you need to do to connect
a wire to a wire ferrule is to remove a chunk of insulation from the end of the wire using
a wire stripper and then connect the ferrule to the wire like this.
When you have the ferrule on the wire you should crimp the ferrule using the crimping
tool to make sure that the ferrule is firmly attached to the wire.
Now the wire is ready and can easily be connected to the front connector.
Now here's what I want from you in the comments bellow this video .
What have you learned from watching this video?
Can you imagine implementing something from this video in your next PLC programming project?
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