An automation controller system comprising: a controlled and monitored machine or process, comprising actuators and sensors; and an automation controller, wherein the automation controller comprises: a negative terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the negative terminal and a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the negative terminal; a positive terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the positive terminal, a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the positive terminal and a thermistor when the thermistor is connected to the positive terminal; a regulated power terminal configured to provide regulated power to the thermistor when the thermistor is coupled to the positive terminal and the regulated power terminal; and a power supply coupled to the regulated power terminal and configured to provide power to the thermistor when coupled to the regulated power terminal, wherein the power supply provides regulated power for operation of the thermistor, wherein the automation controller is configured to convert signals received from a thermistor coupled to the positive and regulated power terminals to a temperature value by reference to a stored look-up table, and control the controlled and monitored machine or process using the signals from the thermistor, and wherein the inputs are configurable through an automation controller software program. a controlled and monitored machine or process, comprising actuators and sensors; and an automation controller, wherein the automation controller comprises: a negative terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the negative terminal and a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the negative terminal; a positive terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the positive terminal, a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the positive terminal and a thermistor when the thermistor is connected to the positive terminal; a regulated power terminal configured to provide regulated power to the thermistor when the thermistor is coupled to the positive terminal and the regulated power terminal; and a power supply coupled to the regulated power terminal and configured to provide power to the thermistor when coupled to the regulated power terminal, wherein the power supply provides regulated power for operation of the thermistor, wherein the automation controller is configured to convert signals received from a thermistor coupled to the positive and regulated power terminals to a temperature value by reference to a stored look-up table, and control the controlled and monitored machine or process using the signals from the thermistor, and wherein the inputs are configurable through an automation controller software program. a negative terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the negative terminal and a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the negative terminal; a positive terminal configured to receive input from an analog sensor when the analog sensor is connected to the positive terminal, a digital sensor when the digital sensor is connected to the positive terminal and a thermistor when the thermistor is connected to the positive terminal; a regulated power terminal configured to provide regulated power to the thermistor when the thermistor is coupled to the positive terminal and the regulated power terminal; and a power supply coupled to the regulated power terminal and configured to provide power to the thermistor when coupled to the regulated power terminal, wherein the power supply provides regulated power for operation of the thermistor, wherein the automation controller is configured to convert signals received from a thermistor coupled to the positive and regulated power terminals to a temperature value by reference to a stored look-up table, and control the controlled and monitored machine or process using the signals from the thermistor, and wherein the inputs are configurable through an automation controller software program.