Unitronics' new Jazz models offer an exceptionally cost-effective solution for temperature control—a low-cost PLC with an embedded HMI and direct Temperature Measurement Inputs.If your system or process requires temperature measurement, you are familiar with the dilemma—should you use a PID controller, or a high-level PLC that includes PID functionality? The PID controller is cheaper… but you must set it up as an extra unit, program it, and establish communication with other parts of the system. Using a high-level PLC can save you a lot of work, but you cannot always afford it…. This dilemma is now a thing of the past. Unitronics recently launched two new Jazz PLCs that can fully replace the PID controller, without exceeding your budget. The JZ10-11-UA24 offers 2 Thermocouple/PT100 inputs, 2 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs; JZ-11-UN20 offers 1 Thermocouple/PT100 inputs and 1 analog input. Both models include additional digital I/Os—total I/O count reaches up to 24 onboard I/Os.All Jazz models include 4 auto-tune PID loops. PID can be set using the onboard temperature/analog inputs, and the analog or PWM outputs (all onboard transistor outputs can function as PWM outputs). Jazz also features a full-function HMI with a two line LCD text display that shows up to 60 user-designed screens, and a 16-key keypad. The multilingual display supports over 15 languages, and 20 graphic symbols (yes, you can show the degree sign!). Jazz's control and communication options make it a big step up from any "smart-relay"—24K (virtual) of Ladder Logic enable flexibility and functionality. Software functions include interrupt, loops, math, store & compare. Communication options include SMS messaging, MODBUS networking and PC access via MODBUS or OPC. A Jazz PLC with onboard temperature inputs is an excellent solution for any small machine where "smart" temperature control is needed—ovens activated according to RTC, simple ramp & soak, simple multistep programmers etc'. It is also perfect for simple autoclaves, rotating tables, home automation, and other small-to-medium systems where every penny counts.
