Connecting DC I/O to “Solid State” Field Devices
In the previous section on Sourcing and Sinking concepts, the DC I/O circuits were
explained to sometimes only allow current to flow one way. This is also true for many of the
field devices which have solid-state (transistor) interfaces. In other words, field devices can
also be sourcing or sinking.
When connecting two devices in a series DC circuit, one must be
wired as sourcing and the other as sinking.
Solid State Input Sensors
Several DL205 DC input modules are flexible because they detect current flow in either
direction, so they can be wired as either sourcing or sinking. In the following circuit, a field
device has an open-collector NPN transistor output. It sinks current from the PLC input
point, which sources current. The power supply can be the +24 auxiliary supply or another
supply (+12VDC or +24VDC), as long as the input specifications are met.
In the next circuit, a field device has an open-collector PNP transistor output. It sources
current to the PLC input point, which sinks the current back to ground. Since the field
device is sourcing current, no additional power supply is required.
Solid State Output Loads
Sometimes an application requires connecting a PLC output point to a solid state input on a
device. This type of connection is usually made to carry a low-level control signal, not to send
DC power to an actuator.
Several of the DL205 DC output modules are the sinking type. This means that each DC
output provides a path to ground when it is energized. In the following circuit, the PLC
output point sinks current to the output common when energized. It is connected to a
sourcing input of a field device input.
Field Device
+
–
PLC DC Input
Output
Ground
Input
Common
Supply
(sinking)
(sourcing)
Field Device
PLC DC Input
Output (sourcing)
Ground
Input
Common
+V
(sinking)
Field Device
Output
Ground
Input
Common
+V
PLC DC Sinking Output
+DC pwr
+
–
(sourcing)
(sinking)
Power
10–30 VDC
3
Chapter 3: I/O Wiring and Specifications
3–7
DL205 Installation and I/O Manual, 2nd Edition