Connectwell Relay Boards. Protecting the BRAIN of a Control Panel
October 2021
As automation technology Industry progresses, the larger objectives for control panel builders are safety, reliability and cost. Many projects now incorporate Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and DCS Controllers at as the BRAIN of their complex automation designs. These are among the most expensive and sensitive parts of the control or process panel. Therefore, it stands to reason that every effort is made to protect and create a stable electrical environment for the PLCs and DCS controllers.
The value of Relay Boards.
Most automation industry professionals are familiar with relays as they have been around for a long time. However, in the modern age of automation electronics, Relay Boards have taken on an added value. They have become the intermediate protectors of PLC / DCS driven control panels and systems.
Relay Boards are designed to protect controllers and valuable equipment from volatile electrical situations such as Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) due to high power cables being in close proximity to signal cables and power surges. Often placed in between field devices and controllers, Relay Boards are able to attenuate field surges and protect controllers from damage.
Choose Right Relay Modules
Choosing a Relay Module based on application
Depending on the application and requirement a particular type of SSR (solid state relays) or interface module is used for Switching, Protection or Isolation. Further, depending on the application chosen, the components connected to the interface module can vary.
For Protection Applications
When required for a protection application, the Relay Board input is received from field and the output is connected to the Controller. In this way, the Relay Board becomes a layer of protection from errant field signals.
Applications
For Isolation Applications
With the wide variety of control circuitry, often the control voltage and operating voltages are different. Here is where Relay Modules are used to isolate the voltage interface.
For Switching Applications
In many applications, the Controllers cannot switch loads directly due to the low ratings. In such applications, interface modules are used. The input of the interface module is connected to the controller and the output is connected to the load, which could be located in the control panel or on the field.
Relay Boards are always a smart choice
Even when an application doesn’t specifically require a Relay Board, building it into the design can prove to be advantageous. Besides offering in built protection for controller components or field devices, Relay Boards enable more sophisticated possibilities when building panels.
Whatever your application, it is smarter to source high-quality Connectwell Relay Boards that are tried and tested to ensure reliability in switching and protection over the long term. For more details and specifications of ConnectWell Relay Boards and interface solutions,
- For CIMRE Relay Modules click here
- For Slim Relays click here
- For Modular Relays click here