Patent ID: 6370438
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: G05B

Abstract:
A monitoring module for communicating with a central processing unit of a programmable controller, comprising:a first series of contacts comprising emergency stop buttons; a second series of contacts comprising one of: open contacts and position switches; a hardwired safety unit configured to receive a charge of a DC power supply via the first series of contacts, to receive a zero volt charge via the second series of contacts, and to control safety relays connected to outputs, the outputs being connected to electrical apparatuses disposed on a power line; and read units wired in parallel to the first series of contacts and second series of contacts, configured to perform an independent read operation on each of the first series of contacts and each of the second series of contacts to read statuses of the first series of contacts and second series of contacts and configured to read statuses of the safety relays from the outputs connected to the safety relays, and designed for programmable controller diagnostics.