Remote I/O module

01

Choose the network protocol and form factor

Moxa's ioLogik E1200 series are Ethernet remote I/O modules with a 2-port Ethernet switch for daisy-chain topologies, user-definable Modbus TCP server addressing, an EtherNet/IP adapter, RESTful API and SNMP, peer-to-peer mapping between modules, and Class I Division 2 and ATEX Zone 2 certification (not for E1213 models). [1]

Beckhoff describes its IP20 Bus Terminal system as an open, fieldbus-neutral I/O of bus couplers and electronic terminal blocks, and its EtherCAT Terminals for control cabinets and terminal boxes, while its EtherCAT Box, Fieldbus Box and IO-Link Box modules in IP67 are compact and watertight for harsh conditions on the machine. [2]

ODOT lists network adapters for PROFINET, Modbus TCP, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and CC-Link IE Field Basic with plug-in I/O modules, and an IP67 IO-Link remote I/O series. [3]

Give the supplier the controller and protocol, number and type of each signal (DI, DO, relay, AI, AO, RTD, thermocouple), ranges and accuracy, isolation needs, power supply, mounting (DIN rail, wall or machine), IP rating, temperature range, hazardous-area certification and any expansion needed.

02

Size channels, accuracy, isolation and environment

Moxa lists ioLogik E1200 variants with 16 DI (E1210), 16 DO (E1211), 8 AI (E1240), 4 AO (E1241), 6 RTD (E1260), 8 thermocouple (E1262) or 6 relay channels (E1214); its analog inputs are differential, 16-bit, 0–10 VDC, 0–20 mA or 4–20 mA with burn-out detection, ±0.1% FSR at 25 °C and ±0.3% FSR from −10 to 60 °C, sampling 12 samples/s per module shared across enabled channels; analog outputs are 12-bit. [1]

Digital inputs accept dry or wet contacts (on at 10–30 VDC) with a 250 Hz counter; sink outputs are rated 200 mA per channel and relays 5 A at 30 VDC or 250 VAC resistive. Isolation is 3 kV DC or 2 kV rms; supply is 12–36 VDC at about 110–130 mA at 24 VDC; operating temperature is −10 to 60 °C or −40 to 75 °C for wide-temperature models, humidity 5–95% non-condensing; the plastic housing measures 27.8 × 124 × 84 mm, weighs 200 g and mounts on DIN rail or wall. [1]

Editorial calculation: 12 samples/s shared by 8 enabled AI channels gives 1.5 samples/s per channel; 130 mA at 24 VDC is about 3.1 W; ±0.1% FSR on a 20 mA range is ±0.02 mA. [1]

03

Consider on-machine IP67 block I/O instead of cabinet modules

Turck's compact multiprotocol I/O module (ident no. 6814023) shows the on-machine alternative to cabinet-mounted remote I/O. It has 8 universal digital channels, each configurable as a PNP input or an output of up to 2 A, and acts as a PROFINET device, EtherNet/IP device, Modbus TCP server or CC-Link IE Field Basic device through an integrated Ethernet switch at 10/100 Mbps with two 4-pin M8 fieldbus connectors and PROFINET S2 system redundancy. The housing is glass-fibre reinforced with fully potted electronics, rated IP65, IP67 and IP69K for −40 to +70 °C, with galvanically isolated voltage groups, input diagnostics per group and output diagnostics per channel, a weight of 215 g, and approvals including ATEX Zone 2/22, cULus, IECEx and CCC. It can also run local logic programmed with Turck's ARGEE. [4]

Compare this block module with the DIN-rail Ethernet I/O of Moxa and the modular systems of Beckhoff and ODOT described above: an IP67 block mounts at the machine without a cabinet, while a cabinet module needs an enclosure. [1] [2] [3]

Editorial calculation: 8 outputs at 2 A each could draw up to 16 A if all were on together, so check the module's total current limit on its power connector before loading every channel.

State whether I/O will sit in a cabinet or on the machine, the IP rating and temperature needed, the protocol(s) the controller uses, and the output current per channel and in total.

04

Compare what suppliers offer

The suppliers linked to this page list remote or distributed I/O modules; their cards link to the pages reviewed.

Ask any supplier for the protocol and conformance certificate, channel types and counts, input ranges, resolution and accuracy over temperature, sampling rate, output ratings, isolation, power consumption, IP rating, temperature range, dimensions, configuration software and hazardous-area approvals.

05

Trace what each part does

This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.

06

Fill the specification fields with values for your order

A remote I/O quotation needs values for your system. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

07

Send the network, signal and environment data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Network: [Modbus TCP; EtherNet/IP; PROFINET; EtherCAT]
Signals: [DI; DO; relay; AI; AO; RTD; TC — counts]
Ranges: [0–10 V; 4–20 mA; accuracy]
Power: [24 VDC]
Environment: [temperature; IP20 or IP67; hazardous area]
Mounting: [DIN rail; wall; machine]

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