PLC programming leads

Are there cheaper alternatives to the programming leads available from the manufacturer. If so where can they be found. If not where is the best place to purchace the best value for money leads, is it the manufacturer or is there a company that specialises on different programming leads.

Thanks

It all depends on the PLC you're using. For Allen-Bradley, the programming cable is mostly a simple RS232 fully wired null-modem cable. The schematic can even be found on the AB website, just search for CP3. With Omron it's also a simple cable and the schematic has been published in the manuals. But if you're talking about a programming cable for Simatic S7-300/400, then that's a completely different story. That's not even a simple cable ,but a complte converter, including protocol conversion.

So a little more information about what you're looking for would be more than welcome.

Kind regards,

Programming leads

Thanks for your last reply.
I mainly use Siemens S7-300 and alspa c80-35 (GE Fanuc 90-30) but do sometimes use others. I was realy just wondering the cheapest place to buy these leads and was hoping that there was a website that specialised in PLC programming leads, thus lowering the cost of the lead.

There are some alternatives around for the Simatic S7, some are mentioned in this thread . Maybe that's some info you can use. Otherwise, search the forum for MPI interface. I have no idea what cable or converter is needed for the alspa c80-35 or GE Fanuc 90-30 PLC's. Maybe someone else can help you with those.

Kind regards,

For 90-30, you need a RS232 to SNP converter. You might want to check [size=-1]Horner Electric for one of these.
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You can find leads on eBay. Sometimes they even look like the picture, and often, they work, too. Let the buyer beware.

At one time, I found a source on the internet, that was selling leads in buld, for around $1.99 each, rubber banded, not plastic baggie, in quantities of 50 or 100. They were tested and guareented. Company was a legitemit supplier, and may have been making them for some of the manufacturers. The ones I saw for GE Fanuc looked identical to the factory ones I had purchased. I lost the info, wish I could find it again.

Since you can find plans on the internet for most anything, you can make them yourself. If they work, you can always make extras, and sell them on eBay!

You have a good lead above. good Luck!

regards.....casey

Programming leads

Cheers for your help