Best option for a single remote AI into a Controllogix

[scada.plc]

Hi all,

I need to bring in a single AI (temperature) from a remote location (2 miles) into a Controllogix PLC. Any simple cheap suggestions? Remote terminal unit with a radio? Should I use an RIO module in the local Controllogix?

 

[WhinnieThePooh]

Hi al
I need to bring in a single AI

Pardon my ignorance, what do you mean by "single AI"... analog input?

 

[hardaysknight]

Does the remote location have internet connectivity or cell service?

 

[I_Automation]

When you say "Local Contrologix" do you mean local to where the analog signal is, or local to your location?


If there is a CLX where the analog signal is then run it into that PLC and set up Produced/Used tags for your PLC to read it. Or you could send the value by messaging

 

[scada.plc]

Pardon my ignorance, what do you mean by "single AI"... analog input?

Yes an AI is an analog input, like the temperature at this remote location that I need to bring into my local ControlLogix. Let’s assume for now that I can get a 4-20ma signal out of the remote temperature device. So this is a single (one) AI that I am needing to read into the ControlLogix PLC, presumably via a radio transmission. What is the best solution on both ends of this remote connection?

 

[scada.plc]

No, there is no CLX at the remote location. Currently technicians are able to read the temperature locally on a display. That’s all I know. I’m looking for a better way than having these techs drive to the remote location every morning to get this data.

 

[scada.plc]

Pardon my ignorance, what do you mean by "single AI"... analog input?

Yes an AI is an analog input, like the temperature at this remote location that I need to bring into my local ControlLogix. Let’s assume for now that I can get a 4-20ma signal out of the remote temperature device. So this is a single (one) AI that I am needing to read into the ControlLogix PLC, presumably via a radio transmission. What is the best solution on both ends of this remote connection?

 

[scada.plc]

No, it has power for a pump and a meter. There is a local display where techs get the flow temperature. They want me to propose a way to get the information from the remote site to the local ControlLogix.

 

[scada.plc]

Local as in not remote. There is no PLC at the remote location.

 

[FilthyTech]

Look into the Phoenix Contact RAD-900-IFS and related. We use these for your same situation for remote water tanks. They have a good distance and are stupid easy to use.

 

[drbitboy]

A lot depends on the definition or remote, but there are a fair few posts on this forum with radio-modems involved; ah I see one has just arrived.

I would not be surprised if the simplest solution was a smartphone with a data plan pointing its camera at the display and making the data available over wireless. It's pretty trivial to implement, and the operating cost of a minimal data plan compared to the time for staff taking long drives should be a win.

I suspect COTS (e.g. security) camera solutions to do this must exist as well, but would still require a data connection; at least with a smartphone the connectivity is built in (assuming cellular coverage at the remote site).

Worst case the display image is sent back; best case there is OCR on the phone and only the data are returned.

 

[Saffa]

These Elpro units work well too. You'll need a free AI in your local rack though, and probably a DI too for monitoring the comms link.

https://elprotech.com/product/indus...5u-l-i-o-count-transmitter-and-receiver-pair/

 

[Rounder]

The Phoenix Contact RAD-900-IFS certainly has the range if your application allows line-of-sight transmission. But we often had signal loss in foggy conditions.

 

[Manglemender]

I would definatley set up something via an MQTT server or you could connect up an e w o n remote VPN unit to do the job.

Nick

 

[scada.plc]

Good idea. I’ll try that. Thanks