Typical IP67 network topologies involve stand-alone I/O modules, providing 8 to 16 points of I/O per module. In some applications multiple stand-alone modules could be mounted within inches of each other. Thus was introduced the IP67 Network I/O Island, a modular IP67 I/O solution that allowed 8 to 60 plus I/O points to be connected to only one network node. This solution provided initial costs savings by reducing the number of network nodes used in an application, but brought along some new problems. One problem involved exceeding long sensor /actuator cordsets, with a centralized I/O solution remote sensors needed cordsets of 5, 10, or even 15 plus meters in length. The second issue was cordset management; imagine tracing a suspect cordset to the network I/O island with 60 plus connectors hanging off of the front of the unit.
Continue reading “IP67 Network I/O Islands: Why? Are there other options?”
