Abstract: An input module may include a first resistor and a second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor. The input module may also include a switch that may electrically isolate the second resistor based on a voltage output by an additional input module electrically coupled to the input module via a terminal base.

Abstract: An input module may include a first resistor and a second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor. The input module may also include a switch that may electrically isolate the second resistor based on a voltage output by an additional input module electrically coupled to the input module via a terminal base.

Abstract: An electrical relay system is configured to allow for failure detection of a relay by injecting a signal at a common contact of the relay and looking for the signal at a normally closed contact of the relay. If the relay is commanded to be “off,” or closed, and the injected signal is not detected through the normally closed contact of the relay, then the system can determine that a failure condition has occurred. In one aspect, the system can include multiple relays with the signal being injected at a common node of the relays. In another aspect, the system can include multiple controllers for controlling and/or monitoring the electrical relay system. The electrical relay system can be coupled to screw terminals for connecting to a field device as part of an industrial automation system.

Abstract: A system includes a control device that coordinates within the system to control one or more operations of industrial automation equipment. The system also includes a terminal base that couples to the control device, wherein the terminal base includes a circuit. The system further includes a first input module and a second input module that couple to the terminal base. The first input module includes a first resistor and a first measuring device, and the second input module includes a second resistor and a second measuring device. The terminal base electrically couples the first resistor to the circuit and electrically isolates the second resistor from the circuit when the first input module and the second input module are coupled to the terminal block.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: An electrical relay system is configured to allow for failure detection of a relay by injecting a signal at a common contact of the relay and looking for the signal at a normally closed contact of the relay. If the relay is commanded to be “off,” or closed, and the injected signal is not detected through the normally closed contact of the relay, then the system can determine that a failure condition has occurred. In one aspect, the system can include multiple relays with the signal being injected at a common node of the relays. In another aspect, the system can include multiple controllers for controlling and/or monitoring the electrical relay system. The electrical relay system can be coupled to screw terminals for connecting to a field device as part of an industrial automation system.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: A system includes a control device that coordinates within the system to control one or more operations of industrial automation equipment. The system also includes a terminal base that couples to the control device, wherein the terminal base includes a circuit. The system further includes a first input module and a second input module that couple to the terminal base. The first input module includes a first resistor and a first measuring device, and the second input module includes a second resistor and a second measuring device. The terminal base electrically couples the first resistor to the circuit and electrically isolates the second resistor from the circuit when the first input module and the second input module are coupled to the terminal block.

Abstract: Safety and/or reliability may he improved in industrial control systems by optimally utilizing integrated circuit elements to reduce the amount of components required and to provide cross monitoring. In one aspect, circuitry that is part of an Integrated Circuit (IC) for controlling a first channel may also be used to monitor and provide safe operation for circuitry for controlling a second channel, and the circuitry for controlling the second channel may similarly be used to monitor and provide safe operation for the circuitry controlling the first channel. Circuitry may include a windowed watchdog circuit which may be used to monitor various events of the other circuitry, and safe operation may be provided by removing power from the other circuitry to provide a safe state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: Safety and/or reliability may he improved in industrial control systems by optimally utilizing integrated circuit elements to reduce the amount of components required and to provide cross monitoring. In one aspect, circuitry that is part of an Integrated Circuit (IC) for controlling a first channel may also be used to monitor and provide safe operation for circuitry for controlling a second channel, and the circuitry for controlling the second channel may similarly be used to monitor and provide safe operation for the circuitry controlling the first channel. Circuitry may include a windowed watchdog circuit which may be used to monitor various events of the other circuitry, and safe operation may be provided by removing power from the other circuitry to provide a safe state.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide re-configurable functionality within components of I/O devices without the need of disconnecting the components from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, when certain types of components are connected to each other, certain functionality sets within the components may be activated to provide combined functionality sets between the components. The combined functionality sets may, for example, be preferred functionality sets to be used when the particular types of components are connected to each other. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, functionality activation keys may be physically inserted into (or electronically communicated to) the components of the I/O device to activate certain functionality sets within the component into which the functionality activation key is inserted (or electronically communicated to), as well as within the other components of the I/O device to which the component is connected.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide re-configurable functionality within components of I/O devices without the need of disconnecting the components from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, when certain types of components are connected to each other, certain functionality sets within the components may be activated to provide combined functionality sets between the components. The combined functionality sets may, for example, be preferred functionality sets to be used when the particular types of components are connected to each other. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, functionality activation keys may be physically inserted into (or electronically communicated to) the components of the I/O device to activate certain functionality sets within the component into which the functionality activation key is inserted (or electronically communicated to), as well as within the other components of the I/O device to which the component is connected.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an adaptable automation control component that includes a base capable of communicatively coupling with a system bus and with a functional module that includes communication and control circuitry. The adaptable automation control component also includes a device power bus including electrical contacts that are capable of communicatively coupling the adaptable automation control component with a separate automation control component, and an activation mechanism including circuitry capable of continuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is engaged, and capable of discontinuing the device power bus when the activation mechanism is disengaged. The adaptable automation control component facilitates functionality of the adaptable automation control component as an input/output module or a power distribution module depending on whether the activation mechanism is engaged or disengaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide re-configurable functionality within components of I/O devices without the need of disconnecting the components from each other. For example, in certain embodiments, when certain types of components are connected to each other, certain functionality sets within the components may be activated to provide combined functionality sets between the components. The combined functionality sets may, for example, be preferred functionality sets to be used when the particular types of components are connected to each other. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, functionality activation keys may be physically inserted into (or electronically communicated to) the components of the I/O device to activate certain functionality sets within the component into which the functionality activation key is inserted (or electronically communicated to), as well as within the other components of the I/O device to which the component is connected.

Abstract: Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) device for an automation control system includes a base portion configured to communicatively connect the I/O device with at least one other I/O device, an I/O module physically and communicatively connected to the base portion and comprising I/O communication circuitry, a terminal block physically and communicatively connected to the base portion, and an ejection device configured to eject the I/O module or the terminal block from the base portion by pushing the I/O module or the terminal block out of engagement with the base portion when activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning status indicators on a terminal block of an I/O device by locating the status indicators directly adjacent to or integrated directly within their respective terminals on the terminal block. The status indicators are illuminated by LEDs or other light emitters disposed within a housing of the I/O device. Light from the LEDs are directed to the status indicators by light pipes disposed within the housing of the I/O device. LED activation circuitry disposed within the housing determines a manner in which to activate the LEDs to illuminate the status indicators based on inputs and outputs between the I/O device and a controlled process. In certain embodiments, the status indicators are disposed on a raised section of the I/O device, which may be part of a removable LED indication assembly including the LEDs, light pipes, and LED activation circuitry.