Manuals, downloads and answers, all in one place.

Ladder logic programs mimic the electrical circuit diagrams used for wiring control systems in the electrical industry. The basic purpose of an electrical control system is to determine whether a load should be turned ON or turned OFF, under what circumstances and when it should happen. To understand a ladder program, just remember the concept of current flow - a load is turned ON when the current can flow to it and is turned OFF when the current could not flow to it.

Chapter 8 in the TRiLOGI Programmer's Reference Guide has a short introductory course on Ladder Logic Programming. For a little more reading, please download the chapter HERE.

Read more discussions: the support forum

You can now go to the following web page to download a free PLC programming E-book written by Kevin Collins of Ireland Sligo Institute: HERE.
This book presents a number of ladder programs that are constructed using the TRiLOGI software and you can use our PLC simulator to test the program.

Most PLCs in the industry are programmed by pure "Ladder Logic". Ladder Logic language has its strength in handling single bit digital I/O programming, but it is awkward to handle data processing where numerical data needs to be manipulated.

On the other hand, desktop computers are typically programmed by high-level languages such as BASIC, C, PASCAL, C++, Java etc. These powerful programming languages are designed for data processing, but they are not oriented towards flipping single bit digital I/Os.

By combining these two most important branches of programming languages into one single, seamless entity, we created the industry's first "Ladder + BASIC" language that can easily handle sophisticated tasks with just a few lines of codes.

Because of the power and simplicity accorded the programmer, iTRiLOGI:

• reduces a company's dependency on highly-skilled programming engineers
• shortens programming leadtime and gets projects working sooner
• makes troubleshooting easier due to the ability to view ALL internal variables in real time using the iTRiLOGI the On-line monitoring capability.
• allows rapid testing of program changes using built-in offline SIMULATOR
• allows remote troubleshooting locally or via LAN or over the INTERNET!
• performs sophisticated communication with 3rd party MODBUS devices, HMI, SCADA, barcode reader, smart-card reader, serial printers etc.

1. Click this link: i-TRiLOGI software to learn more about Ladder+BASIC.
2. You can register to download a free, fully working copy of the Educational Version of iTRiLOGI 6.xx & Programmer's Reference from the following link: the free educational version

The Educational TRiLOGI offers a fully functional offline simulator which allows you to create your own ladder+BASIC program and perform near 100% testing on your PC without purchasing any PLC hardware.

1. You can click on the "Help" menu in iTRiLOGI 5.xx or 6.xx software (a free educational version is available for download from i-TRiLOGI software). Select "Content" and you will find a "Ladder Logic Programming Tutorial" where you can follow the tutorial to create your first Ladder + BASIC program.
2. There are many well-documented example programs in your TRiLOGI installation folder: C:\TRiLOGI\TL6\usr\samples. You should open up these sample programs and read the comments carefully, then run simulations to test the functions described in these programs. That is the best way of learning our Ladder and Ladder+BASIC programming method. There are also several subfolders in the ...\samples folder that provide numerous examples for utilizing the built-in PLC Web server, interfacing to devices such as the I-70xx modules, and some pure ladder logic programs.
3. Professor TC Chang of Purdue University has written a TRiLOGI 5.3 Tutorial for use by his students as teaching material and he has kindly allowed us to share his work with anyone interested in TL5 Tutorial (backwards compatible with TRiLOGI 6.xx). You can click on the following link to obtain the tutorial: the Purdue TRiLOGI 5.3 tutorial (PDF)
4. Kevin Collins of Institute of Technology Sligo (Ireland) has written a free PLC programming E-book. This book presents a number of ladder programs that are constructed using the TRiLOGI software and you can use our PLC simulator to test the program. It can be downloaded from the following link: the free PLC programming e-book

All TRi PLCs can be programmed through a connection to any PC with an RS232 serial connection port (or USB port using a USB-RS232 adapter) and running on Windows or even DOS. The only exception is the Nano-10 PLC that can only connect serially using a USB to RS485 adapter since it does not have an RS232 port on board.

The Ethernet equipped PLCs including the Nano-10, FMD series, and Fx-series models can be connected to a network using a wired Ethernet connection and can be programmed over a LAN or the Internet using a PC.

You will then just need a production copy of TRiLOGI and a DB9 cable (USB adapter may be required) or Ethernet cable for the Ethernet-equipped PLCs to make the connection. As such, your first purchase of a TRi PLC should always be (or include) a Starter Kit, which includes both cable (DB9 only) and software as well as installation and programming manuals. USB to RS232 or RS485 adapters are not included with starter kits and can be purchased from TRi if necessary. The only exception is the Nano-10, which does include a USB to RS485 adapter in the starter kit.

There are two basic classes of TRiLOGI software which are supplied with the respective starter kits:

1. iTRiLOGI version 5.xx or 6.xx supports LADDER+BASIC capability and is the only software needed to program any of the Nano-10, FMD series (and M-series), or Fx-series PLC models.
2. WinTRiLOGI version 3.5x supports only pure Ladder logic programming (i.e. no BASIC) and is needed for programming any E10 or H-series PLCs.

1. Both iTRiLOGI and WinTRiLOGI can run on XP, Server20xx, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
2. Linux/MAC — Although iTRiLOGI and WinTRiLOGI are both written in pure Java, we currently do not support them to run on Linux or MAC platforms due to the subtle differences between Windows and Linux versions of Java Runtime Environment, which can potentially lead to the instability of these software when running on Linux platform.

NPN and PNP are directional attributes of solid-state transistors. These transistors have current amplification capability and are used as switches in a PLC. Devices connected to the PLC must be specified as NPN or PNP. More and more devices today are of the NPN category as they are easier to manufacture and perform better under most conditions.

The EXP1616R installation guide has wiring diagram for both NPN and PNP I/O interface which is applicable to other PLCs as well. You can download it here for a quick reference.

A transistor output is a solid-state device that handles small to medium amount of current. Most transistor outputs in our PLC range can only handle DC current up to the power supply voltage of the PLC (i.e. either 12VDC or 24VDC).

A relay is an electrically operated switch. Current flowing through the coil of the relay creates a magnetic field which attracts a lever and changes the switch contacts. This means that relays allow one circuit to switch a second circuit which can be completely separate from the first. If you need to switch AC voltages such as 24VAC, 110VAC or higher, you need to select a PLC with RELAY output.

The following TRi PLCs and Expansion boards incorporate relays in their output:

• Nano-10
• Fx1616-BA
• EXP1616R
• E10-Relay+

All Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 'Super PLCs' can act as a communication master to other TRi PLCs or to third party devices that support RS485 communication protocol such as Modbus. As such, the Fx-series/FMD series/Nano-10 'Super PLCs' can easily use any other TRi PLCs as its remote I/O. The E10+ being small and low cost are ideal to be deployed in a wide area network as remote I/Os.

The TBASIC language incorporates a special command "NETCMD$" which can be used to monitor/control any device that employs an ASCII based protocol (including all TRi PLCs' native hostlink command). TBASIC also has built-in READMODBUS and WRITEMODBUS commands which can be used to interface to any RTU that supports Modbus RTU protocol.

It is also possible for the Ethernet-equipped PLCs (Fx-series/FMD series/Nano-10 'Super PLCs') to communicate with devices that support Modbus TCP. As Ethernet in automation is rapidly growing, more digital I/O and sensor module devices that can communicate in Modbus TCP are now becoming available.

A DIGITAL signal is a simple signal that is usually just ON or OFF.

An ANALOG signal has variations that are meaningful such as inputs or outputs relating to level of temperature, light, sound, pressure, position, etc.

Most sensors produce very weak signal which needs to be amplified by special purpose instrumentation amplifier called "Signal Conditioner" and the outputs from the signal conditioner can then be connected to the PLC's analog inputs.

A Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal is a special method that produces a variable voltage using an ON/OFF type digital I/O. It is neither a pure digital nor a pure analog I/O and is discussed in the following question.

A Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal uses the duty cycle of a rapidly switching digital I/O to represent a time-average variable. For example, if you turn ON a digital output for 10ms, then turn it OFF for 90ms, and repeat this cycle indefinitely, what you produce will be a rapidly pulsating waveform with a 10% ON duty cycle. If you use a volt-meter to measure the output voltage of this waveform, what you will get is a time-average reading which is equal to 10% of the peak voltage output when the digital output is fully turned ON.

Likewise, you can measure a PWM input signal by measuring the ON time of the incoming pulses (the PULSEWIDTH), then divide it by the period of the pulses (the PULSEPERIOD) to obtain the duty cycle. The actual measured quantities = duty cycle x Full-Scale value.

The applications that need analog I/Os range widely, but some of the more common ones in industry relate to the measurement and control of temperature, air/fluid flow and motor speeds.

For example, if you are trying to determine if something is present or absent, you only need a digital input. But if you are trying to measure the temperature in your room, you will need an analog input to the PLC.

Likewise, if your only means of controlling a heater is to turn it ON or OFF, then you just need a digital output. But if you have the ability to control the speed of a motor by applying a variable voltage of say between 0 to 5V DC, then you need an analog output from the PLC.

All the Fx-series 'Super PLCs' include 4 channels of PWM output and a number of analog I/Os built-in:

All the FMD series 'Super PLCs' include 4 channels of PWM output and a number of analog I/Os built-in:

The Nano-10 'Super PLC' includes 2 channels of PWM output and 2 channels of analog inputs built-in, but no analog outputs are available. The analog input channels are 0-5V only.

All the M-series (EOL) PLCs include built-in 2 channels of PWM output and a number of analog I/Os:

None of the H-series (EOL) and E10 PLCs has analog I/Os and they also have no means of interfacing to third party analog I/Os.

You can use a second, third or more micro PLC to provide additional low cost analog I/Os and 4 channels of PWM per PLC to a master Fx-series or FMD series 'Super PLC'. The master and slave PLCs can communicate using their built-in RS485 interface over a low cost two-wire bus or, alternatively, over Ethernet. There are built-in TBASIC commands to facilitate master/slave communications.

If you require higher resolution analog I/Os, TRi carries a range of I-7000 series Analog I/O modules that provide multiple channels of 16-bit analog inputs as well as 12-bit or 14-bit analog output.

Yes, the Fx2424 and FMD series PLCs include three channels of stepper motor controller outputs and the Fx1616-BA PLC provides two channels of stepper motor controller outputs. The Nano-10 PLC has one stepper motor channel.

However, it is essential to understand the difference between a stepper motor controller and a stepper motor driver. A stepper motor "DRIVER" comprises the power electronics circuitry that provides the voltage, current and phase rotation to the stepper motor coils. Using the built-in 1–3 channels of programmable Motion Controllers for controlling stepper motors up to 10,000 pulses-per-second on each channel, the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 'Super PLCs' generate the required number of "pulses" and set the direction signal according to the defined acceleration and maximum pulsing rate specified. For the FMD series and Nano-10 PLCs, you will still need a stepper motor driver, which is usually supplied by the stepper-motor vendor. However, the Fx-series PLCs have built-in hardware to directly drive a stepper motor on each available stepper motor channel as well as the ability to interface to external stepper motor drivers like the other 'Super PLCs'. More information is available in the Fx-series product User Manuals.

Yes, all the Fx-series and FMD series 'Super PLCs' come with built-in 2 (or more) channels of programmable motion controllers that can control 2 stepper motors to move an X-Y table to desired coordinates. The Nano-10 has just 1 stepper motor channel, so it cannot perform multi-axis control.

However, it is not feasible to attempt to perform precise geometrical trajectory such as circular profiling motion using the two stepper motor controllers simultaneously. Such motion control requires a high end motion controller such as a CNC controller and is beyond the design objective of the 'Super PLCs'.

All Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs also feature two or three channels of High Speed Counters (10KHz max), which can interface to two "quadrature encoders" to provide positional feedback of the coordinates of an x-y table.

DC Motor. Yes, you can use the four PWM output channels of an Fx-series and FMD series PLC or two PWM output channels of the Nano-10 PLCs to directly control the average voltage applied to a small DC motor (< 50W) in order to vary its speed. (Note: for PLCs that only have 1A PWM output, such as the FMD1616-10, an external solid state relay or MOSFET driver is needed to supply the required current to the motor.)

AC Motor. Yes, but indirectly. The speed of an AC motor can only be directly controlled by an INVERTER, also known as VFD (Variable Frequency Drive). Fortunately, most industrial VFDs provide some kind of interface to a PLC, such as analog inputs or RS232/RS485 interface. The Fx-series and FMD series 'Super PLC' would be able to control the VFD using its analog outputs or its built-in RS232/RS485 port in order to change the speed of the AC motor. The Nano-10 could use its RS485 port, but does not have any analog outputs.

Yes, with the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs, you can easily vary the power applied to a heating element for open loop control.

You can also use the PLC's analog inputs to read the temperature feedback and perform either "bang-bang" control (i.e. turn ON or OFF a heater when the feedback temperature is beyond a certain threshold) or more sophisticated PID control using the built-in PID algorithm.

Yes, this can be done with the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs.

The PLC can receive data from these devices using its INPUT$ or INCOMM command. ASCII data strings received from these devices can be easily converted into numerical data for data processing. The PLC can control a machine, a process or a plant based on the data it receives.

Yes, the Fx-series and FMD series 'Super PLCs' have a built-in RS232 port and an RS485 port (Fx-series have 2 RS485 ports), which can be connected to many barcode and smartcard readers that provide RS232 interface. The Nano-10 PLC can connect via RS485 directly or by RS232 if a converter is used between the PLC and device.

The PLC can receive data from these devices using its INPUT$ or INCOMM command. ASCII data strings received from these devices can be easily converted into numerical data for data processing. The PLC can control a machine, a process or a plant based on the data it received from the barcode reader.

The TRi range of PLCs has been found in many kinds of applications that operate on land, sea and even in the air — e.g. packaging machines, food processing machines, production conveyor systems, water treatment equipment, wafer fabrication, elevators, medical equipment, security monitoring systems, gold mining operations, road surfacing trucks, container trucking operators, automotive manufacturing, ocean vessel fire safety monitoring, aircraft turbine speed monitoring devices (requires FAA approval) and many other applications.

However, TRi does not currently offer any PLCs that are of the FAIL-SAFE classification, hence they are not suitable for use in equipment where failure of the PLC could lead to bodily harm or death. Such equipment requires special fail-safe design incorporating multiple redundant CPUs and is not the target application of TRi PLCs.

Yes, with the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs; however, you will need a way of converting your temperature, pressure or force readings into something the PLC can read. Usually you can use a signal conditioner together with a temperature or pressure sensor such as a thermocouple or PT100 sensor. As long as the signal conditioner outputs 0-5V or 4-20mA (with external resistor) you can connect it to the above-mentioned 'Super PLCs' analog input. The Fx1616-BA PLC can accept 0-10V or 4-20mA (with external resistor) on its analog inputs.

Within the PLC program you can use the ADC(n) function to read the analog reading, which returns a value between 0 and 4092. This digital value can then be scaled to represent any type of temperature reading (C, F or Kelvin).

Yes. For the Fx-series PLCs, it is possible to measure x-y-z coordinates and for the FMD series PLCs, it is possible to measure x-y coordinates using either:

1. positional feedback potentiometers, which vary the output voltage according to the sensor positions of an x-y-z arm (for Fx-series and FMD series) or x-y arm (for Nano-10); the output voltage can be connected to the PLC's analog input to read the position of each coordinate.
2. digital quadrature encoders, which output two pulse trains at 90 degree phase shift per coordinate. All Fx-series PLCs can directly read from three channels of quadrature encoders and automatically count up or count down depending on the direction of rotation up to 10,000 pulses per second. All FMD series can do the same with 2 channels available instead of three.

Yes, by using the Fx-series PLCs' six channels or the FMD series, Nano-10, and EZWire1616 four channels of special "pulse measurement (PM)" inputs.

It is extremely simple to do so thanks to the built-in TBASIC functions. All you need is a sensor that outputs 1 or more pulses per revolution connected to the PLC's special PM inputs, then use the "PULSEFREQUENCY" command to obtain frequency of the pulse train in Hz, or use the "PULSEWIDTH" command to read the cycle time between two pulses at up to 1 microsecond resolution.

There are several ways to monitor a TRi PLC's inputs and outputs status:

1. They can be monitored directly from the onboard LEDs; every digital I/O has an LED connected.
2. They can be monitored directly off a PC connected to the PLC with the WinTRiLOGI or iTRiLOGI software loaded.
3. With the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs you can use the on-board Ethernet port to read the status remotely on any computer that is connected on the intranet or Internet.
4. With the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs, you can also read the status using any third party SCADA software or touch screen HMI using MODBUS RTU or ASCII drivers via the serial ports or using the MODBUS TCP driver via the built-in Ethernet port.

The Fx-series PLCs are the most versatile when it comes to the number of devices they can connect to and number of ways in which they can connect. Besides the 3 independent serial ports, there is a built-in Ethernet port, a socket for an XBEE radio module, and an IR receiver. The XBEE radio module, available from Digi International, enables Fx-series PLCs to interface to ZIGBEE wireless sensors and control modules.

The Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 'Super PLCs' all have Ethernet built in, which provides the following connectivity options:

• Control & monitoring via Internet
• Remote programming & SCADA
• Built-in MODBUS/TCP server
• F-Server for i-TRiLOGI & ExcelLink
• Up to 6 simultaneous server connections
• Send emails to report real-time events
• Connects to other 'Super PLCs'
• Connect to other Modbus/TCP servers

Although all TRi PLCs have built-in serial ports, only the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 'Super PLCs' can be programmed to actively read/write to their serial ports. As such, these PLCs can be programmed to communicate with any RS232 or RS485 devices using ASCII or binary data (Nano-10 only has RS485). Each serial port can be configured from 300 to 230k4bps, 7 or 8 data bits, odd/even/none parity. Thanks to their built-in MODBUS protocol engine, these PLCs can be used as MODBUS master or slave and communicate with 3rd party SCADA, HMI or RTUs.

The serial ports on E10 series PLCs are "slave" only and respond automatically to ASCII hostlink commands sent by a host PC or an Fx-series/FMD series/EZWire1616/Nano-10 master PLC, but the PLC program for E10 PLCs is unable to read/write to the serial port directly.

It is very simple to read from a barcode or smart card/RFID reader if the barcode reader can be connected to the PLC using RS232. Most bar code readers return data as ASCII strings terminated by a Carriage Return (CR character, ASCII 13) so you can simply use the INPUT$(1) command to read the data from the COM1 port. The PLC keeps a 256 byte circular buffer for incoming serial characters so you don't have to be monitoring the serial port all the time. As long as the data are read before the buffer overflows (i.e. more than 256 bytes are received) the buffered data will not be lost.

We recommend TRi's MD-HMI for a low cost, character-text-only HMI, and the KEP MT8050iE (available directly from TRi) for a low cost touch screen HMI since it supports the TRi PLC native protocol. However, most third party touch panel HMIs that support the MODBUS protocol should work with the Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs.

All TRi PLCs now feature a 1/8 power RS-485 interface which allows up to 255 PLCs to be networked to a master PLC or a host PC (via Auto485 or U-485 adapter), using very low cost twisted-pair cables. Any Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, or Nano-10 PLC may act as the network master of the serial comms network. The E10-npn+ PLCs are slave-only devices.

If a PC is used as the network master, then the programming software, TRiLOGI or WinTRiLOGI, can select any of the networked PLCs using only the device ID for programming, monitoring and control — all from a single point of attachment to the network.

There are many USB to RS232 converters on the market but we have reports that some of them do not work well for this purpose. We carry this type of converter, part # USB-RS232, made by Prolific. See the adaptors and connectors section for details.

We have also previously tested a BF-810 made by BAFO and one sold by serialio.com. Both units worked without problem in a Windows 98, Me and XP environment.

The Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 'Super PLC' families support many different communication protocols to allow maximum application flexibility. In addition to their own native set of ASCII based communication protocols, these PLCs also understand and speak the following protocols:

• MODBUS ASCII mode compatible communication protocol
• MODBUS RTU mode compatible communication protocol
• OMRON Host Link Commands for the C20H PLC family
• Your own customised protocol using TBASIC

Additionally, the Fx-series, FMD series, and Nano-10 PLCs can communicate in the industry standard "MODBUS/TCP" protocol using their built-in Ethernet port.

The TRi 'Super PLCs' with Ethernet built in (Fx-series, FMD series, EZWire1616, and Nano-10 PLCs) can be directly connected to a network for instant connection across a LAN or over the Internet with port forwarding set up. Program transfers and online monitoring can be done locally or remotely over Ethernet with the TRiLOGI programming software. Additionally, various types of 3rd party monitoring/control software can communicate with these PLCs over Ethernet using the Modbus TCP or TCP/IP protocol. Since the PLC Ethernet ports include a built-in web server, Java applets and HTML web pages can be stored, which allows the PLC data to be accessed from standard web browsers on a PC and many smartphones.

• Troubleshoot equipment operation remotely
• Load new programs remotely without providing source code to the user in the field (may be important to OEM equipment manufacturers)
• Develop SCADA-like, centralized or remote monitoring applications at a cost that only very high-end applications could justify in the past
• Instant access to PLC data over the Internet for remote alarm monitoring and equipment control
• Email notifications
• Data logging to a remote server

The server built in to the 'Super PLCs' with Ethernet (generally referred to as FServer) as well as TLServer can be configured to require a username and password for login when communicating with the PLC over Ethernet, which enables user authentication.

The FServer (as well as TLServer) also divides the user access levels into "programmer", "user" and "visitor", and only users given the "programmer" access right can program the PLC. Users given "visitor" access can only monitor the PLC status but cannot affect its operation. This allows finer control of access to the PLCs.

You may set up a firewall in the network router to disable access to the FServer or TLServer when external access from the Internet is not required.

Only the FServer (including the Modbus TCP server) has the additional security feature of "Trusted IP", which allows specific IP addresses to be configured as "safe" so that all other IPs are ignored.

Currently there are three ways to send emails with TRi PLCs.

1. Send email from the PLC with the EMAIL tag. You can send an email with the <EMAIL> tag in your PLC program, which uses the Ethernet port. The help file refers to the older method where the PLC had to connect to a PC via serial port and use TLServer, because Ethernet wasn't built in at that point.

In addition to a static IP address in the PLC, you will need to configure the gateway address (the IP address of your network router) and the SMTP server address. More information on these settings can be found in sections 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 of any Super PLC user manual, and chapter 2.3.3 covers sending an email from the PLC. There is also a sample program called TestEthernet.PC6.

2. Send email from the PLC via remote Ethernet connection to TLServer. The <EMAIL> tag in TRiLOGI is not able to implement the authentication now required by most email servers, but TLServer has an email function that can handle authentication. In this case you will need TLServer running continuously on a PC with an Internet connection, and the PLC makes a connection to TLServer over Ethernet in order to initiate an email send indirectly.

3. Send email directly from the PLC using a soft-coded method in the PLC program. For users who did not want to send emails indirectly through TLServer, we have created a workaround that allows authenticated emails to be sent directly from the PLC. The programs use the Telnet method for communicating with an SMTP server — the same process used by the <EMAIL> tag, but with a slightly different command that may work for servers requiring authentication. You will need to define your SMTP server and email account settings (including authentication username/password) in the Send_Email custom function.

All TRi PLCs carry CE marking for conforming to the requirements of the provisions in the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC as amended by 92/31/EEC, 93/68/EEC and 93/97/EEC.

As TRi PLCs operate below the current threshold stipulated for UL Class 2 devices, they do not need UL listing and approval for safe operation. This has no impact on equipment that requires UL certification, since many of our PLCs have already been deployed in equipment and machinery that have undergone UL certification.

TRi PLCs are designed and built to comply with applicable sections in the IEC61131-2 standard, and are intended to be used in industrial environments. As per the standard, our PLCs are designed to safely operate within the specified operating temperature, voltage and current ranges, and are built to withstand momentary over voltage, over current, reverse polarity and environmental contamination up to pollution degree 2 with no safety issues. Various tests are conducted during design and manufacturing to ensure the PLCs operate properly within their stated specifications.

However, TRi PLCs are not yet externally certified as a UL-listed component. That would not prevent their use in most UL listed OEM equipment. We have many OEM users who have incorporated TRi PLCs in their UL-listed or even FAA certified equipment and have deployed these products in a variety of industrial environments — airline (FAA), oil and gas (class 1 division 2 explosion proof), automobile finishing (class 1 hazardous), and elevator control.

The actual technical requirement of the PLC depends on the particular UL standard applicable to the industry in which the OEM equipment is built to operate. You can enquire with your UL representative for any specific technical requirement that the PLC must meet, and we can advise whether the PLC is suitable for the application and what external protections, if any, may need to be added.

Yes — the Fx2424 and Fx1616-BA, as well as customised PLCs made with SmartTILE, all support IEEE754 single-precision floating point computation. i-TRiLOGI version 7 is required to write programs using floating-point variables and math.

The FMD series (and M-series) and Nano-10 PLCs only compute using 32-bit integer arithmetic and do not support floating point computation. They are programmable using i-TRiLOGI version 6 software.

Note that many computational tasks that seem to involve floating point math can also be handled using "fixed point" math, in which a unit integer represents, say, 0.01. Since a 32-bit integer can represent numbers up to +/- 2 billion, a lot of fractional arithmetic can be done this way.

You can check the selection chart for each PLC family for an overall view of the number of digital I/Os, analog I/Os, and serial/Ethernet comm ports available. Then go to the products page, select the respective PLC family, and select the model of interest.

We have made all hardware manuals available online for all the PLCs and peripherals, including installation guides, user manuals and programmer's references.

See the product selector to compare our Super PLCs, or browse the documentation.

PAC (Programmable Automation Controller) was a term coined to describe more sophisticated controllers that share the same hardware architecture as the 'Win-Tel' PC. These are better equipped in terms of capability than traditional microcontrollers, often operating on more advanced microprocessors and programming languages. Even though the TRi Fx-series, FMD series (and M-series), and Nano-10 'Super PLCs' are not based on PC architecture, they offer many features found in a typical PAC and suit the control needs of many different industries.

Yes, the F-series PLCs incorporate a real-time clock with a battery backup built in.

The FMD series and Nano-10 PLCs also incorporate a real-time clock. However, the clock is shut down when all power to the PLC is turned off. If a real-time clock needs to keep running even when power is off, an optional FRAM-RTC battery backed real time clock (plus memory expansion) module can be purchased from TRi; this plugs into the 10 pin socket on any of the FMD series and Nano-10 PLCs.

The older M-series PLCs also incorporate a real-time clock with the same limitation. An optional MX-RTC battery backed real time clock module can be purchased from TRi, mounted between the 28-pin SRAM and the 28-pin socket on any of the M-series PLCs.

To optimise computational performance, the current generation of F-series, FMD series (and M-series), and Nano-10 PLCs compute using 32-bit integer arithmetic only and do not support floating point computation.

However, many computational tasks that seem to involve floating point math can also be handled using "fixed point" math, in which a unit integer represents, say, 0.01. Since a 32-bit integer can represent numbers up to +/- 2 billion, a lot of fractional arithmetic can be done this way. You can still display fixed point data on an LCD display with decimal places using the TBASIC divide and modulo operators.

Please visit the TRi Internet PLC Forum FAQ board at the support forum.

You can order online through the TRi online store.

You can call us at 1-877-TRI-PLCS / +1-877-874-7527, or +1-604-278-0001.

You can email us at sales@triplc.com.

For smaller orders of any product (under 10 units), shipment is made within 1–2 business days, and typically the same day if the order is received before 12pm PST and stock is available. For orders received later in the day, shipment is typically made by the next business day. Please contact us first if items are needed urgently.

Larger orders may require a lead time of 1–8 weeks depending on current stock levels. Please contact sales@triplc.com for a lead time estimate if you plan to place a large order.

You can request one from our request for pricing page.

If you have questions regarding the PLC's hardware configuration, programming language or application suitability, you can contact tech support by any of the following means:

• Post your question at the Technical Support Forum. The forum contains more than 800 topics, mainly questions posted by previous users, with answers provided by tech support or other users. You can search for a keyword to find out if the same question has already been answered. We normally respond within 1–2 business days.
• Email your question to support@triplc.com and expect a response within 1–2 business days.
• Fill out a technical inquiry form and our technician will respond within 48 hours.

To obtain an upgrade for the production version of TRiLOGI, click the "Help" menu in the TRiLOGI software, select "Upgrade" and follow the link to our website to download it. You will need to enter the username and password given in the upgrade instruction page.

If you have a TRiLOGI installation CD, you can open the "Upgrade.htm" file, which includes the same upgrade link and credentials provided from the Help menu in TRiLOGI.

Please email support@triplc.com and provide the name of the person or company that purchased our TRiLOGI software. If you purchased the PLC starter kit from an authorised distributor, please also include the name of the distributor. Once we have verified your purchase record we will email the TL5 Uploader setup program to you.

These files are only needed if you are developing your own Java applet or Java application programs for use with TLServer, FServer, or Ethernet XServer. To obtain them, email support@triplc.com with the name of the person or company that purchased our TRiLOGI software and/or the Ethernet XServer, along with the purchase details. If you purchased the PLC starter kit from an authorised distributor, please also include the distributor's name.

Once we have verified your purchase record, we will email you a Non-Disclosure Agreement which you need to sign and return. We can then email you the relevant program files for your Java program development.

Please visit the TRi Internet PLC Forum FAQ board at the support forum.

At TRi, we fully understand how important it is for OEM customers to have an uninterrupted supply of the parts that have been incorporated into equipment designs, and thus into equipment BOMs. The decision to put a product into EOL management is therefore not one we make lightly. For example, the legacy T44H-npn PLC, first designed when the company began operation in 1993, continues to be made available to OEM customers who have been using it. It is only under exceptional circumstances that we regretfully place products under EOL management:

1. Introduction of a near drop-in replacement for an existing model — for example the FMD88-10 and FMD1616-10.
2. When one or more key product components can no longer be acquired readily from our suppliers.
3. When demand for a product is too low to make it economic to continue scheduling regular production.

Note that entering EOL management does not mean that a product has reached end-of-sale. It is TRi policy to continue supplying EOL products subject to certain restrictions. TRi also offers free consultation to help any OEM customer transition to new replacement models with minimum fuss. Where we do not offer a drop-in replacement model (such as the T64H-Relay), we recommend a PLC from another series that offers the capabilities of the outgoing model and more, without unnecessary re-programming effort.

1. When a product enters EOL management, OEMs (customers with purchases totalling at least 10 units in the last 2 years) are notified by email at least 6 months ahead of the termination of general product availability.

2. At the end of the general availability period, EOL products are not available for sale except through our Qualified Replacement Purchase and Scrap Management Program.

If a field failure is experienced, we would first recommend having the unit repaired through our Canadian service department (standard service and repair rates apply).

If a replacement unit is needed more urgently, one can be purchased through the programme, subject to stock availability and the conditions below:

1. A new or refurbished unit will be provided at the respective EOL pricing.
2. The failed unit must be shipped back to our service facility in Canada.
3. There is no additional charge for shipping and a shipping label will be included with the order. You only need to prepare the faulty unit for shipping in a suitable box, apply the label, and provide it to FedEx via pick-up or drop-off.
4. The faulty unit will be used by Triangle Research for scrap management. It will not be returned to you.
5. As the replacement unit is shipped before the faulty unit is returned, the customer is expected to ship back the faulty unit within 30 days of receiving the replacement.

To be eligible, the following conditions must be met:

1. Stock is available in our distribution chain (this is currently extremely limited).
2. The field unit needing replacement does not appear repairable, or turnaround time is critical.
3. The order quantity is limited to one unit.
4. If replacement units have been previously issued, all faulty units must have been submitted for scrap management.

3. Technical support. TRi will continue to provide technical support for all its EOL products, but there will be no further design changes to the hardware or the CPU firmware. Repair of any EOL products will continue to be accepted via RMA, but repair lead time will depend on the availability of any single-sourced components.

See the full end-of-life policy for details.

None planned.

• TRi is not responsible to the buyer for any special, consequential, indirect or similar damages, including any lost profits or lost data arising from the use or the loss of use of TRi products. In no case shall TRi's liability exceed the purchase price for the products.
• TRi products are NOT certified to be failsafe and hence must NOT be used in applications where failure of the product could lead to physical harm or loss of human life. The buyer is responsible for conducting their own tests to meet the safety regulations of their respective industry.
• Products distributed, but not manufactured, by TRi carry the full original manufacturer's warranty. Such products include, but are not limited to, power supplies, sensors, I/O modules and battery backed RAM.
• TRi reserves the right to alter any feature or specification at any time with each product revision release.

See the full warranty and terms page.

• TRi products are guaranteed against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of registered purchase. Any unit found to have manufacturing defects will, at the discretion of TRi, be repaired or replaced.
• TRi will not be responsible for the repair or replacement of any unit damaged by user modification, negligence, abuse, improper installation, or mishandling.