Chapter 6 - Wiring Techniques

(DC) and triac (AC). Relay outputs are usually used to control up to 2 amps or when a very
low resistance is required. Transistor outputs are open collector common emitter or emitter
follower. This type of output can control lamps and low power DC circuitry such as small
DC relays. TTL logic outputs are available to drive logic circuitry. Triac outputs are used
to control low power AC loads such as lighting, motor starters and contactors. As with input
units, output units are available with a common terminal and isolated from each other. The
type of output unit selected will depend upon the outputs being controlled and the power
available for controlling those devices. Typically, power for driving output devices must be
separately provided since there can be a wide range of requirements depending upon the
device.
6-7.

Relay Outputs

As stated before, relay outputs are normally used to control moderate loads (up to
about 2 amps) or when a very low on resistance is required. Refer to Chapter 1 for a
description of a relay. Relay contacts are described as three main arrangements or forms.
The three arrangements are FORM A, FORM B and FORM C. A FORM A relay contact
is a single pole normally open contact. This is analogous to a single contact normally open
switch. The FORM B relay contact is a single pole normally closed contact which is similar
to a single normally closed switch. The FORM C relay contact is a single pole double throw
contact. The schematic symbols for the three arrangement types are shown in Figure 6-10.

Figure 6-10 - Relay Contact Arrangements

PLC output units are available with all three contact arrangements but typically FORM A
and FORM C are used. By specifying a FORM C contact, both FORM A and FORM B can
be obtained by using either the normally open portion of the FORM C contact as a FORM
A contact or by using the normally closed portion of the FORM C contact as a FORM B
contact. Relay outputs are also available with a common terminal and as isolated contacts.
An output unit with three FORM C contacts having a common terminal is shown in
Figure 6-11. Note in this figure that the common terminal of each of the three relays is
connected to one common terminal of the output unit labeled OUTPUT COM. Since all
relays have one common terminal, all power supplies (there can be one or several)
associated with the outputs to be driven must have one common connection. Note that
each output has two labeled outputs, NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The
NC and NO have a number following which is the number of the output associated with the
terminal. When an output is turned OFF, the OUTPUT COM terminal is connected to the
6-13

Chapter 6 - Wiring Techniques

NC terminal associated with that output. When the output is turned ON, the OUTPUT COM
terminal is connected to the associated NO terminal.

Figure 6-11 - Common Relay Output

A typical connection diagram for a relay output unit with three FORM C contacts
having common output is shown in Figure 6-12. In this drawing, the power source shown
is an AC supply which could be the 120VAC building power. Notice that the wiring of this
figure shows lamp LT1 as only lighting when OUTPUT 1 is turned ON. This is because the
lamp is connected to the NO terminal for OUTPUT 1. Lamp LT2, however, is connected
to the NC terminal for OUTPUT 3. This lamp will be ON whenever OUTPUT 3 is turned
OFF. This means that if the PLC were to lose power, lamp LT2 would light since there
6-14