There are three models available, each with 24V DC or 100–240V AC inputs. The 16 I/O model has nine inputs, and seven relay or transistor outputs. The 24 I/O model has 14 inputs, and 10 relay or transistor outputs, and the 40 I/O model has 24 inputs, and 16 relay or transistor outputs. All models include a 0–10V DC analogue input. The 16 and 24 I/O versions can accommodate one plug-in analogue cartridge, while the 40 I/O model can accommodate two plug-in analogue cartridges. Each cartridge has two analogue I/O points, either two inputs or two outputs. The 40 I/O model can be powered by 12V DC, making it suitable for solar- and battery-powered applications.
Up to 12 expansion modules can be added to the 16 I/O model, and up to 15 modules to the 24 and 40 I/O versions. These modules can be of any type with no restrictions on the number of analogue and specialty modules. This gives the 40 I/O PLC the capability to handle up to 520 I/O with a maximum of 126 analogue I/O.
An optional HMI module can be added to the CPU to provide an operator interface with a display and control buttons. It can also include an optional plug-in analogue cartridge, and it has a built-in Ethernet port
Custom Web pages provide an IoT capability and can be configured for remote monitoring and control. The Web pages are created using a drag-and-drop process and are stored on the PLC, which functions as a Web server when its built-in Ethernet port or the HMI Ethernet port are connected to the Internet. The Web pages can be accessed via any browser running on any Internet-connected device such as a remote PC, tablet or a smartphone.
Connecting the MicroSmart or the HMI Ethernet port to the Internet also provides email and text notification functions, which can be used with third-party email servers.
All versions have a built-in RJ-45 Ethernet port, and an RJ-45 RS-232C/485 serial port. A plug-in cartridge can add an extra RS-232C/485 port. An SD memory port and a mini-B USB port can be used for data-logging, program storage/transfer, firmware updating or recipe storage. The Ethernet port supports the Modbus TCP protocol, and the serial port supports Modbus RTU.
The MicroSmart PLC is programmed using Idec’s WindLDR PC-based software, which can convert programs from Idec’s FC4A and FC5A PLCs to run on the FC6A. The PLC programming languages include ladder and Script, which is similar to C programming, and can be used to create complex programs including multiple sub-programs and custom function blocks.