Its never too late to learn something new. Today I learn two new devices. The FP0 PLC and the DIN rail power supply. First up, the Panasonic FP0 PLC. Around 9.30am Mr. James gave me the PLC, a connector, the serial cable and a power supply and asked me to test the PLC. This is the smallest PLC I've come across so far. Its kinda cute too. Alright the picture:

The small green box is the PLC. Just in case you can't spot it. The PLC is powered by a 24V DC unlike the normal bulky PLCs that consumes the household 230V AC supply. To program it, the user needs the FPWIN GR software. The interface is shown on the laptop. Its a simple PLC meant for basic applications. The software is quite easy to use. Programming is quite easy even for a newbie like me.

Few minutes later two customers came in to purchase the PLC and the serial cable. He also brought with him his laptop to install the programming software and test the PLC. They went back as soon as they were satisfied with it.

Oh, I forgot to mention one event that happened before the PLC customers walked in. A chinese lad came to purchase a black Sanken inverter. He said that he will connect the inverter to a switch to run a motor and a potentiometer to control the speed. He wants us to demonstrate how to do that so we unpacked the inverter and connected it to the control box and the potentiometer. Then I taught him how to program the inverter. Feels good to be a teacher! 

Ok, the next new device. The DIN Rail power supply. This power supply outputs 24VDC and needs 230VAC to operate. Just like the normal switching power supply I have posted few days back. This PSU is specifically designed to be mounted inside a control box on the DIN Rail. The DIN Rail is a long metal plate that is used to mount relays, PLCs and power supplies. Imagine a cloth hanger. The DIN Rail is the hanger and all the relays, PLCs are the clothes. 

Initially the output was 24-point-something volts but I adjusted it to be precisely 24.00Volts by adjusting the potentiometer at the PSU. Here's the picture of that PSU:

That's it for today's activity. No fieldwork so we stayed at the office after lunch. Tomorrow is going to be either a great success or a complete failure. I don't know what to expect tomorrow because I'm not familiar with the device that we will install there. Mr. James asked us to be at the rendezvous point near the office and we will convoy with another group of people to the factory. Bandar Maharani, here I come!!