NEWS RELEASE – Aug. 9, 2005 – National Instruments today announced a Compact FieldPoint module that addresses the needs of engineers working in industrial control applications involving high-level currents and requiring industrial switching. The new cFP-RLY-425 relay module delivers up to 5 A of switching – compared to the previously available 1.5 A – and is especially useful for industrial environments using high-current actuators and electromechanical devices.Designed specifically for industrial control applications, this Compact FieldPoint module delivers a double-width module housing with simple connectivity, eliminating the need for a separate terminal block and offering improved cooling of the module’s interior at higher currents.
The cFP-RLY-425 module also includes eight non-latching, single-pole single-throw (SPST), Form A, relays for switching general-purpose signals and loads. Engineers can use it to switch 5 A of current up to 18 VDC or 150 VAC, 0.2 A at 125 VDC and 3 A at 250 VAC. The cFP-RLY-425 relay module also features 2,300 V transient isolation between the output channels and the backplane, as well as HotPnP (plug-and-play) operation to automatically detect and identify configuration software.The Compact FieldPoint platform is an easy-to-use, highly expandable programmable automation controller (PAC) composed of rugged I/O modules and intelligent communication interfaces.
Compact FieldPoint operates in temperatures ranging from -40 °C to 70 °C so users can run embedded NI LabVIEW applications in extreme environments where many industrial PCs fail. Compact FieldPoint and FieldPoint modules combine the best features of the PC – such as the processor, RAM and powerful software – with the reliability, ruggedness and distributed nature of the PLC. Readers can learn more about NI PAC offerings by visiting www.ni.com/pac .
For more information
, Contact National Instruments or visit their web site at www.ni.com/compactfieldpoint .
About National Instruments
National Instruments is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation – a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,600 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries.
For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.
