Raspberry Pi DIN Rail I/O Interfaces

VP Process Inc has recently released a new series of Raspberry Pi DIN rail mountable “Hardened” interfaces. The first release is the PI-SPI-DIN-RTC-RS485, which is available in three mounting versions: DIN Rail Clips, DIN Rail Enclosure, and PCB Spacers.

The basic specifications for the PI-SPI-DIN-RTC-RS485 are:

• Power Input: 9 to 24 VDC
• 5VDC @ 2.5A (Max 3Amp) Power Supply
• RS485 Output via RJ45 connector and Terminal Block
• 2 GPIO connectors – 1 internal for Raspberry Pi, 1 external for peripherals
• 1 PI-SPI-DIN connector (16 Pin) for PI-SPI-DIN series (power, SPI, I2C and 5 Chip Enables)
• Real Time Clock (I2C) Microchip MCP7940 with Battery Backup

Last week, VP Process added three modules to the series: PI-SPI-DIN-8AI, PI-SPI-DIN-8DI, and PI-SPI-DIN-4KO. Each module of these has 2 x 16 Pin Ribbon Cable sockets and cables and each connector and cable will carry power, I2C bus, SPI bus and 5 GPIO lines for Chip Select. Additionally, each module is available in the three mounting versions mentioned above. Each module takes power from the ribbon cable as a local input power to  5 VDC switching power supply and 3.3 VDC LDO regulator power supply. At the same time, the main module will maintain the 5VDC to keep the Raspberry Pi safe from interfaces loading.

The three modules full specifications

PI-SPI-DIN-8AI : An 8 channel 4-20 mA Input interface based on the 12 Bit Microchip MCP3208 A/D converter. Each input can be re-configured (changing resistors and capacitors) as a VDC input or Thermistor input for temperature applications.

PI-SPI-DIN-8DI : An 8 channel Isolated Digital Inptu interface based on the Microchip MCP23S08 I/O Expander. Since this design has 4 addresses, it allows  4 interfaces to connect together for a total of 32 Inputs, all of 1 chip select. The inputs accept up to 24 VDC or 24 VAC, or switch inputs.

PI-SPI-DIN-4KO ; A 4 channel relay output module. Each relay is rated at 2 AAC and is SPDT. The design is based on the Microchip MCP23S08 I/O Expander. Since this design has 4 addresses, it allows 4 interfaces to connect together for a total of 16 relay outputs.

Fortunately, VP Process had perfectly designed PI-SPI-DIN series to suit many industrial applications by making the designs industrial grade, with adding terminal blocks and enclosures. Furthermore, a new module of the same series is coming soon, PI-SPI-DIN-4AO; a 4 channel analog 4-20mA output module.

Finally, the main module is available for $48, where the remaining modules cost $33 each. More details are available at this page.

Source: WidgetLords Electronics

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