Cumming, GA --- September 25, 2006 --- AutomationDirect announces the release of the H4-ECOM100 Ethernet communication module for the DirectLOGIC DL405 PLC. The H4-ECOM100 ($359) can be inserted into any I/O slot of any local DL405 base, including expansion bases when using the DL450 CPU and -1 bases, to implement master/slave Ethernet communication at 10 or 100 Mbit data rates. The module supports the industry standard MODBUS TCP/IP Client/Server protocol in addition to standard IP and IPX protocols. This allows a DL405 PLC with an H4-ECOM100 module to serve as a client (master) or as a server (slave) on a MODBUS TCP/IP Ethernet network. The H4-ECOM100 module can be configured to actively issue MODBUS commands to other nodes or devices on the MODBUS TCP/IP network.
The module can also respond to connected MODBUS TCP/IP clients. The H4-ECOM100 allows PLC-to-PLC or PLC to MODBUS TCP/IP device communications through the use of standard Read/Write instructions. When used with the new DirectSOFT5 PLC programming software and the DL450 PLC, communications programming is simplified using fill-in-the-blank IBox instructions. The H4-ECOM100 can be configured to serve as an email client to send specified messages to email addresses. The module ships with NetEdit3 software to configure ECOM modules for networking.
NetEdit3 can be used to adjust parameters for PLC-to-PLC communications and to display all identifiers and troubleshooting information for each module on the network.AutomationDirect sells over 5,500 feature-packed products through its Online Automation Superstore and 1,750-page catalog. The company offers its customers high-quality automation products, which are often priced at half the industry average, 24-hour order entry and overnight delivery, the best documentation in the industry, outstanding sales and technical support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. For a free catalog, access their Web site.
