Cumming, Ga.— To deliver capabilities usually found on more costly PLCs, PLC Direct has launched what it says is, "the first and only $99 PLC in its class." The DL05 joins the company's Direct Logic family.

"To offer a $99 PLC, we integrated the best technologies from our existing micro and micro-modular designs and retained features our customers need most: generous program and data memory (6K total words), two communication ports, and a removable connector," says Tim Hohmann, PLCDirect's founder.

DL05's removable connector allows users to pre-wire connections for faster installation and replacement, which reduces downtime. DL05 also includes: eight inputs, six outputs, an instruction set, diagnostic and communications LEDs, and Microsoft Windows-based programming capability.

DL05 includes six versions, such as ac/dc input and output, and relay output types. With specialized I/O functionality, dc models can handle motion and machine-control applications. The first three dc inputs can be dedicated to an up to 5 kHz counter, interrupt, or filter functionality; two dc outputs can function as a pulse output at up to 7 kHz. With an operating range of 5-30 V dc, DL05's dc outputs supply up to 1.0 A per point, while its ac outputs provide 0.5 A per point and its relay outputs function at 2 A per point.

DL05's two built-in RS-232 ports can communicate with operator interface devices, such as Optimate operator panels, programming devices, and other PLCs. Since the second port is addressable, DL05 can be a station on a network of intelligent devices. Both ports support K-sequence, as well as Direct Net and Modbus slave protocols. The second port also supports Direct Net and Modbus master modes to initiate communication with other devices.

DL05 can be programmed with PLCDirect's 129-instruction Direct Soft guide for Windows. This package provides standard operations, as well as time- or event-based drums, counter capability, RLLPlus flowchart style instructions, and subroutines.

For more information, visit www.controleng.com/info.