PLC Programmable Logic Controllers

Terminals on SCADA products and the RAZN have many Input/Output capabilities.
This page describes all the types of terminals available on Raveon’s products with SCADA terminals and General Purpose IOs.

INPUTS can Control the Logic of the OUTPUTs

Each product version of the RAZN and has a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) feature. They are RTUs and can do PLC features.

To set the PLC’s rule-based programming, the PLCL command configures inputs to control outputs locally or remotely. If you setup Programmable Logic Control (PLC) programmed with the PLCL command, this will control things the way you want them to, and if something else tries to take over the same output, this PLC logic is the main controller for output terminals.

All INPUT pins are heavily protected against noise and ESD. OUTPUT terminal ports are heavily protected also, and many output types are available.

Most General Purpose IO (GPIO) terminal pins on the RAZN have Flexible IO pins(FIO) that are often used as inputs for Programmable Logic Controllers.

A pair of RAZNs are available preset up to remotely control things.  One can have button inputs, and another outputs to control things like pumps, valves, lights,…

Buttons pressed can control things miles away using a pair or Raveon’s RAZNs, and a computer, network, or IoT server can connect to a RAZN and pass along the control commands
to the remote thing. The RAZN Automated Peripherals use the PLC logic to remotely control things.

Many RAZN version have analog inputs to monitor sensors by voltage, current, or 4-20mA current.  The Autonomous Node’s PLC features can be programmed to do what your system needs.  And they also can do SCADA MODBSU commands to remotely monitor and control via long-range wireless links. For PLC and RTU operation, there are many different Remote Autonomous Zone Nodes (RAZN) version  with a Myriad of IO options.

Long Range Wireless PLC Connections

To set the PLC’s rule-based programming, the RAZN has the PLCL command to configure inputs to control outputs locally or remotely. If you setup Programmable Logic Control (PLC) programmed with the PLCL command, this will control things the way you want them to, and if something else tries to take over the same output, this PLC logic is the main controller for output terminals.

Command PLCL X BBBB CCCC SS     setups the Programmable Logic.  Programmable Logic can setup inputs to trigger outputs, and many other ways for logic to take place within this RAZN, or event have it send out to another RAZN to do something.  Every RAZN can have up to 16 different PLCL features setup, so 8 input can control 8 outputs on one RAZN, or 16 inputs on a RAZN can control 16 outputs on a remote RAZN or it can control one outputs on 16 different remote RAZNs. To have this PLC ladder logic executed internally in a single RAZN, the code in SS is 0.  0 (Zero) sets this logic completely in the RAZN is it setup in, so all input/output PLC features take place in the RAZN.

For remotely controlling other RAZNs you can specify which remote RAZN to control by specifying the terminal number of the RAZN to control in SS.  Communication is via MODBUS, so it can also control other SCADA RTU or PLCs if you want.

If you setup Programmable Logic Control (PLC) programmed with this PLCL command, this will control things the way you want them to, and if something else tries to take over the same output, this PLCL logic is the main controller so this PLCL logic will work. For example, if you control a terminal port via an input using this PLCL feature, and then also some remote MODBUS message comes in and changes that same terminal port, it won’t change the terminal because this PLCL feature is the main controller. Because this PLCL logic always is running quickly and updated fast, so other commands or messages will not take over the terminal ports you wanted to control via this Programmable Logic Control.

BI    Button Input Monitoring

FIO     Flexible Digital Input / Output

IOPIN:  A(In) B(Out) is the character used to specify the IO mode

• User configurable TTL digital IO pins configurable as In or Out.
• Max DC input Voltage: Vcc
• “ON” DC input voltage Range: (0.8 × Vcc) to Vcc
• “OFF” DC input voltage Range: 0V – (0.12 × Vcc)
• Input Current:  <2uA
• CAP: 220pF      Res: 1K      Diodes for ESD protection.
• Default IO mode from factory: A (digital Input).

PLC    Program the Logic to Control the way you want

A RAZN Input Terminal can be logically configure to remotely control an Output Terminal or even control an local Output Terminal.

The input logic to control can be programmed in any of these ways using the PLCL command or GUI. Many RAZN products default to 7, and you can configure the logic control the way you want to.

Here is a list of the input Logic Control features the RAZN has.

1: When input terminal ON, set the output terminal ON
2: When input terminal OFF, set the output terminal ON
3: When input terminal ON, turn the output terminal OFF.
4: When input terminal OFF, clear the output terminal to OFF.
5: Output terminal follows this Input terminal. ON=ON, OFF=OFF
6: Output terminal is opposite if Input terminal. ON=OFF, OFF=ON
7: Input terminal changed ON inverts the output. Every time Input goes ON, the output will change.

Many RAZN input terminals can be used for PLCL logical Input Control. Here is a list:

DI       Digital Input.
FIO     Flexible Digital Input / Output
BI       Button Input
BM     Button Monitor
OIDI  Optically Isolated Digital Input
LI        LED, Optically Isolated Digital Input

See the Technical overview of RAZN IO Terminal Options.

The Timer Operations Actions and Alerts (TOAA) feature in the RAZN has many PLC autonomous features.

TIME ON   Time-On limitations can be setup in the RAZN

If your system wants to limit ON-Time, you can configure the maximum ON-Time with the TIMEON command.

Set the Maximum Time-On using the parameters Hours, Minutes, Seconds, milliseconds. If TIMEON is disabled, then the output terminals can be on as long as you want, or even forever.

And if you setup a Time-On limitation, the RAZN will autonomously turn-off some terminal that is On, if the On-Time exceeded the Time-On Limitation you wanted. This makes systems reliable and safe because if someone does something wrong, or forgets to turn something off, or if a disaster happens (PC fails, Network fails, Lightning hits, Fire happens,..) the RAZN will automatically turn something off the way you really would love it to do.

And there is a Timer Operations Actions Alerts TOAA feature to turn things ON autonomously the way you want to for security and safety.

What’s the difference between PLC and SCADA?

The difference between a (Programmable Logic Controller) PLC and  (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) SCADA is the fact that PLC is hardware and SCADA is software and communications.

SCADA is a common overall control system using hardware and software elements.  The MODBUS protocol is the popular SCADA communication protocol.

PLCs and SCADA  are used in industrial settings,. SCADA uses PLCs and TRUS typically used together.

Raveon’s  and all other PLCs are designed to control industrial processes, such as running machines and RTUs.  PLCs are easy to program and fully scalable to an operation’s requirements and autonomous functions.

They’re also collect and store data from the systems they monitor and control.

The Role of Programmable Logic Controllers in a SCADA System.

In industrial plants that deal wastewater, water, gas, oil, and lights  technology are used to monitor is complicated and important operations.

In modern industrial landscape are SCADA and PLCs and RTUs.

Without the PLCs or SCADA devices, industries could fail to provide the essential services that people rely on for normal living.

Some people seem to think these things are in competition, the fact is that these distinct technologies work hand in hand to provide key service.

The RAZN has many programmable logic controlling operations, and long-range wireless link features for SCADA communications  and Remote Autonomous Zone Node reliable operations.

What is a PLC?

A PLCs controls some of the most complex processes within industrial plants. They are often deployed to monitor running machines, pipes, water, and motors.

A PLC is easy to program logically. These devices are scalable. This means they can fit a wide range of requirements depending on the operation in question.

A PLC receives information from connected sensors or input devices or RTUs, or RAZNs, processes the data, and then triggers outputs based on pre-programmed parameters.

A PLC was developed as an upgrade over the relays and timers that used to be common on industrial machinery.
Modern RAZN PLCs offer more complexity to the monitoring and are increasingly dynamic with the information they provide.

A programmable logic controller is installed to monitor sensors. A PLC stands for data collection, receiving critical information about the flow and input within the system.
A PLC will also perform basic interventions, triggering outputs when the parameters programmed into the system are met.
A PLC is a versatile piece of equipment, which holds up under harsh conditions with advanced options for programming and real-time usage.

When you try to figure out what is a PLC, you should know that it is a piece of hardware like the RAZN. PLC stands for programmable logic controller.

An All-in-One PLC integrates the controller with an HMI panel, creating a compact, easy-to-use automation solution.
Users no longer need to establish PLC to panel communications and can program both the Ladder Logic and HMI design in a single software environment.
An all-in-one approach like the RAZN saves time, reduces wiring, and cuts the cost of purchasing multiple devices.

SCADA Operations

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is an automated control process that many large industries use for industrial automation.

The RAZN Autonomous features  are SCADA operations for manufacturing, construction, and engineering facilities.

SCADA is a complete system made up of two types of components:

• PLC (programmable logic control)
• RTU (remote terminal units

The RAZN component can do both systems.

The Important Roles in Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is the use of several control systems for operating machines and equipment.

This ranges vastly between several types of industries, such as:

• Smart cities.
• Manufacturing factories.
• Control systems for buildings.
• Transportation, and communication.

Industrial Automation is high-functioning and uses computers and machines to replace humans for work, requiring minimal attention from the human operator.
Some of the advantages of an automated industrial system includes:

• Product quality improvement with the same output each time
• Raises the level of safety by taking workers out of hazardous environments
• Increased productivity since machines can operate tirelessly
• Reduced routine checks with PLCs and RTUs working together
• Reduce labor costs by replacing workers with machines
• Monitor production to ensure it is correct and on-time.