Smart Relay Intro

[Al_The_Man]

I have not seen any mention of Smart Relays here, so I though I might introduce them, as they can be cheap usefull alternatives to their larger cousin, the PLC.
If you need some outboard logic or small control applications, where either a full blown PLC is overkill or you do not want to spring for the PLC software for one or two applications, they can be very handy.
They consist of small controllers made by Idec, Siemens (Logo), Omron etc, They all are identical so, I imagine there is one supplier.
They take up to six 24vdc inputs and have 4 relay outputs (some now however are expandable).
They are programmed right on the control, so no software is needed.
They come up on ebay all the time for cheap ( 280007214799 ).
I recently used one that has an internal real-time clock, to control four separate house light circuits for random on time at night when I am away.
Al.

[joe aiello]

Hi; I a"m interested.Where can I get some info? I am building a simple machine.It has a router on a slider using an air cylinder for power. A button is pushed,using a latching relay,activates the air cylinder to move forward until a limit switch is hit,the relay should cause the cyclinder to return home.I got the relay friday at Grianger 4:00: at 4:15 I short-circuited it. 120 volts. How should this be connected properly? The smart relay would be useful here because there should be some more functions employed(i.e. a hold down for the workpiece).

[Al_The_Man]

The Siemens version can be seen here with the manual etc http://www.automation.siemens.com/logo/index_76.html, the programming symbols are a bit strange to get used to as they are European DIN style, but after playing with it for a few minutes, you can get the hang of it, it has internal latching relays and timers as well as the usual logic functions.
Idec & Omron sell the same unit.
Al.

[Al_The_Man]

Joe, from your email , I think this is what you are looking for?
Al