Switches in Industrial Automation

Rotary DIP Switches and DIP Switches are used in many devices, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), I/O Modules, temperature monitoring relays, industrial automation Modbus, industrial power systems, factory automation, and panel controls. These devices have communication functions and can be used as indicators for industrial automation and power systems. Rotary DIP Switches or DIP Switches are used to set up the node or IP address of a PLC or Modbus I/O Module. Tactile switches would be used on industrial power systems or factory automation panel controls as Human Machine Interaction (HMI) operations feedback.

BACKGROUND

DIP Switches and Rotary DIP Switches are typically powered with 20~50 volt DC. The terminals provide the electrical output while the actuator slides rotate or press upon different switch family types. DIP Switches provide a single output of either on or off, while rotary dip switches can provide variations of on and off to become 4-bit code combinations at each specific rotated position. Rotary DIP switches provide binary code decimal, hexadecimal, or single pole with different output signals. Tact switches are powered with 12~32 volt DC and provide on or off electrical outputs that apply to the end application’s circuits. A contactor or dome is the major contact piece, joining with the insert molding frame where the switch can connect to an output. Contactors are commonly fabricated with stamped copper alloy or stainless steel plate, while frames are made with polyamide resin.

EVOLUTION OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

Industrial automation and control systems typically have four levels: structure, automation control, supervision, and enterprise. There are sensors and actuators applied to the build at the structure level. PCs, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and monitoring relays are integrated into the automation control level. These devices are where DIP switches or Rotary DIP switches are added to provide industrial process control, giving each device a unique physical address. The supervision level (SCADA) refers to data acquired from various control devices and displayed through the HMI that interacts with field devices. This is where the DIP switch that was set to a physical address can be identified by the HMI. SCADA and Human Machine Interface systems enable users to view data from the manufacturing floor and provide inputs and changes. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) act as the interface between devices on the manufacturing floor and a SCADA or HMI system. PLCs communicate, monitor, and control automated processes like assembly lines, machine functions, and robotic devices.??

At the enterprise level, data is used and communicated to improve the overall internal systems. Various tasks, such as product planning, sales, ordering, and scheduling, become major compositions at the enterprise level. For the enterprise level to work effectively, the first three levels (structure, automation, and supervision) must be designed to communicate quickly and display important information to the user. The information gathered from the first three levels will drive how an enterprise continues to improve its systems. Switches are important in ensuring that communication between technologies is consistent.

DIP switches are commonly found in the PLCs and the SCADA systems, and they provide physical addresses so the technologies have links to each other. Tact switches would be used as controls to change settings and access data from the HMI.

With the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) there is an increased need for data from remote locations. This will require more PLCs, monitoring relays, and computing devices, which will require DIP switches and physical addressing and will play a major role in communication between devices. This also means tactile switches will become a practical HMI solution for factory automation panel controls and industrial power supplies. Tactile switches are often used in device remote controls or directly on devices.

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