There are a host of possibilities in the marketplace when it gets to automation. It can be an emotionally charged argument over which brand rules the world, primarily when the discussion centers around the PLC and PAC. Fortunately, there are a lot of right products out there, but one product we tend to overlook is the smart relay, mini-PLC, programmable relay, or similar.
The original determination of these smart relays was to fulfill the gap between unique components, such as timers, counters, contactors or relays, and a PLC. Dozens of automation companies offer smart relays. You can find products with about ten inputs and four to six outputs with various input and output voltage specifications. There are many similarities between manufacturers, so what separates the brands, and how do you know what you’re going to get when you open the package?
The best place to start is to determine what you’re trying to achieve. If you want to add a time delay to a photo eye and turn on an output, then a smart relay will serve that need. If you want something more, then there’s certainly a lot out there to consider. The gap within mini-PLCs and my favorite small-system PLC was surprisingly close. It made me reevaluate why I’m spending so much for the small-system PLC when I could notice the same results with something less expensive—the mini-PLC or smart relay.