Connecting a Parino I/O card to the real world.
The OUTPUTs.
The Parino card has 12 relay outputs plus 2 open collector outputs. The relays are of type "1 x make". This means that a switch is either set to its 'ON' or 'OFF' position. The relayconnections are grouped in pairs. Please study the PCB artwork as illustrated in the main page file for the connections.
The two open collector outputs were implemented for communications with digital equipment. The terminal blocks
bring per transistor a GROUND and an OPEN COLLECTOR to the outside. Both outputs (B and C) have separate
GROUNDS in order to give the user maximum freedom in connecting these outputs.
The open collector outputs of B and C are connected in parallel to relays B and C. Therefore, both the relay
and the opto coupler switch simultaneously. If the open collector outputs are toggled fast enough (say, within
5 ms between pulses) the relays won't notice due to their magnetic inertias. In case you have an application
that will use the open collector outputs in predominantly one or both states, you can consider to disable the
relay(s) by removing either of the two jumpers.
The INPUTs.
The inputs reflect the states of external switches. If there is no voltage on the connections P, Q, R, S or T,
then none of the inputs is active. If there is a voltage of 3 to 40 Volts on any of these inputs, this will be
considered as an active input.
Please pay attention to the polarity of the current sources on the input section and the required current. The
inputs deploy current sources that will need 10 mA per channel. If the connected input-signal comes from
another circuit, make sure it can sink or source that amount of current.
For each input, the leftmost pin (of that pair) is the PLUS and the adjacent pin on the right pin is MINUS.
Please always consult the drawing of the Topside layout.
The big blue connector on the uppermiddle part of the PCB is the Centronics connector that runs to the PC.
Every standard female LPT printer connector will mate with this one.
Parino spare parts.
If you accidently blow one or more of the opto couplers, you can change them individually. The maker is willing to supply them, if you insist, at a fee of EUR 1 per coupler. Or buy them at a local parts store. The type is Sharp PC 817.
Tips for mounting the completed PCB.
It is good practice to mount this control card on a suitable (insulated) base. This way, it gets more difficult to have contact with current carrying parts. This makes the card safer to use.
Please use some kind of plywood, PVC or MDF. Before mounting the card, coat it with an insulating laquer. If
you use MDF or plywood, you can use a router to make a cutout in the material. The PCB will then mount flat to
the surface of the material and all current carrying parts are impossible to touch.
In order to mount the card to its base, use doublesided foamtape (socalled mirrortape). Apply the tape to the
undersides of the terminal blocks, around the PCB.
Page created June 2003,
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