Power supply via USB or 2 position plug
Power supply to the ACE PLC is provided via a two position pluggable connector, included with the ACE unit.
All ACEs shipped today are compatible from 5 to 24 VDC.
The ACE can be powered on via:
- its USB port (except ACEs with analog outputs)
- or its 2 position pluggable connector
You can plug both (USB and Power plug) at the same time.
The power supply input of ACE PLCs is protected against reverse voltage. However, reversed polarity is not guaranteed, especially if the USB port is connected.
Input power goes through a switching regulator to regulate to 5 VDC. Alternately, 5V from the USB passed through a diode to the same point. The 5V is then regulated to 3.3 V, which is what the internal circuitry runs on.
All digitals inputs/outputs are compatible from 5 to 28 VDC whatever the ACE
5 to 24 VDC version ACE with a blue ace of spade close to the product reference written in blue |
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To connect power, insert the +VDC and the GND connections from a power supply into the plug, as shown in the figure below. When plugged into the PLC’s power connector socket, the +VDC connection is to the right, closest to the PLC corner.
In most cases, connecting also the GND to Ground (the same as the machine and 230 VAC side) solves many problems.
Use the right power supply for PLC : Rectified and filtered
The PLC power supply converts a line voltage, commonly 120 or 240 volts AC, or Alternating Current, into a useable DC, or Direct Current, voltage, commonly 24 volts, to power on the PLC and its components.
Line voltage is stepped down with a transformer, rectified to convert it to DC, filtered with capacitors, and protected during this process. All of this is packed into that small looking power supply
TTL level
If the ACE PLC is connected to USB, it is advisable to supply the PLC with an external 5V power supply at the same time, otherwise the PLC is supplied with 3.8V (there are 2 diodes in series) and there may be detection problems for the 0-5V TTL levels.
Possible problems
The pre-regulator in the PLC regulates a voltage (from 5.1 to 28 VDC) to 5V. It is then down regulated to 3.3V, which all circuits use. The USB power supply goes through a diode, to the same 3.3V regulator.
Program stop/loss or damaged PLC: A high voltage spike can occur on the power supply input, or in the digital output circuit. When you start a program in Run mode, there is a bit set in the EEPROM that tells the PLC to restart after a power failure. This bit could have been cleared for various reasons.
Also remember that if you leave the ACE running in debug mode, after powering down, it will not restart.
Read more about 24V power supply and electrical noise
Extract from the documentation “System Design for Control of Electrical Noise” from Allen-Bradley