The beginning of everything about your project! You need to select the right PLC for your solution. When you want to add a new PLC to your project, you will encounter variety of PLC types and modules. Since it is the most important and most expensive component in your order list, you need to act wisely.
I am going to examine SIMATIC S7–1500 type PLCs and their definitions.
CPU: Central Processing Unit “is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions comprising a computer program.” which is basically a controller or PLC.
Fist four digit of the device CPU “1511”: Just know that the bigger the number, more functionality it has. So in this case the most basic version is CPU 1511–1 PN.
The letters “C, F, T” right after model number for example CPU 1511C-1 or CPU 1511F-1:
C: Compact, addition to the PLC, there are IO modules integrated.
F: Fail-safe, safety module is included which can be used in safety applications
T: Technology, technology functions included such as extended motion control, closed-loop control and etc.
PN: ProfiNET, which is industry technical standard for data communication over Industrial Ethernet. So ProfiNET is used for communication.
DP: Decentralized Peripherals, also stands for ProfiBUS. So ProfiBUS is used for communication.
PN/DP: Both ProfiBUS and ProfiNET can be used for communication.
Realpars made the difference between ProfiBUS and ProfiNET really clear with this video:
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This questions were aimed to be answered in this post.
What is the difference between PN and DP?
What does PN or DP mean?
Which PLC should I select?
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