What are the different types of modules used in PLC?

What are the different types of modules used in PLC?

PLC hardware consists of different types of input and output modules in the form of analog and digital.

Different PLC brands design and manufactures different types of PLC hardware modules. Mainly, PLC hardwares are classified into three different types- compact, modular, and rack-mounted PLC.

Compact PLC:

Compact PLC type has inbuilt limited and fixed hardware modules. So, compact PLC is called as ‘fixed PLC’.

It contains only input, central processing unit (CPU), power supply (PS), output, and communicating modules.

Modular PLC:

Modular PLC type allows expansions of the PLC system through the use of additional modules. 

We can add or connect the multiple modules in the hardware of the modular PLC. These several components are fitted on chassis or rack or bus with different slots.

Thus, the modular PLC is called as the ‘Rack-mounted PLC’.

For more detail you can read the difference between Compact PLC and Modular PLC.

AB and Siemens are the most widely used PLC brands. Let’s see, the description of hardware of modular or rack-mounted PLC modules which are used in AB PLC and Siemens PLC.