An automation device has a main module and an interchangeable connection module in which a fieldbus port of the automation device is located. The automation device is characterized in that the interchangeable connection module contains a non-volatile memory which can be read out by the main module of the automation device. A method for operating the automation device includes the steps of connecting a main module of the automation device with a connection module, reading the non-volatile memory of the connection module, detecting any incompatibilities between the main module and the connection module, and placing the automation device in operation if no incompatibilities are detected.

An electronic terminal block for a data bus has control electronics comprising first and second data-bus-contacting units connected via an internal data-bus line, and a connecting unit for connecting bus subscribers. The metal housing comprises a first face having a receptacle in a carrier rail, a second face having a recess for the connecting unit, a first side face, an opening for the first data-bus-contacting unit, and a second side face opposite the first side face with an opening for the second data-bus-contacting unit. A first non-metallic coupling plate for mounting onto the first housing side face comprises a first recess having an engagement feature in the region of the opening of the first side face, and a second non-metallic coupling plate for mounting onto the second side face comprises a first recess having an engagement feature in the region of the opening of the second side face.

Methods, devices, and systems for a hardware adapter device are described herein. One device includes housing, a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) housed by the housing, where each of the plurality of PCBs include traces, and a switch to select a bus address corresponding to the hardware adapter device, where the housing receives an input/output (I/O) module such that the traces of the PCBs provide an electrical path from a wiring baseboard to the I/O module.

An automation device has a main module and an interchangeable connection module in which a fieldbus port of the automation device is located. The automation device is characterized in that the interchangeable connection module contains a non-volatile memory which can be read out by the main module of the automation device. A method for operating the automation device includes the steps of connecting a main module of the automation device with a connection module, reading the non-volatile memory of the connection module, detecting any incompatibilities between the main module and the connection module, and placing the automation device in operation if no incompatibilities are detected.

A method for upgrading a portion of a process control system from a legacy programmable logic controller (PLC) to a non-PLC process controller is disclosed. A mounting rack sized to fit into a space occupied by legacy hardware is assembled and populated with replacement hardware that includes an I/O card, an I/O terminal block, and a custom interface module. The custom interface module is coupled to the I/O card via the I/O terminal block and to a plurality of process control field devices via a legacy wiring mechanism coupled to legacy wiring of the process control system, without requiring modification or re-termination of the legacy wiring. The legacy wiring mechanism is disconnected from the legacy hardware, the rack containing the legacy hardware is removed and replaced with the mounting rack, and the legacy wiring mechanism is coupled to the custom interface module.

A module arrangement for a modular field device connection unit comprises a frame module having an interface receptacle, an interface module adapted to be inserted into the interface receptacle along a module insertion path, and a resetting mechanism adapted to reset the movable coding element into the neutral position by insertion of the interface module into the interface receptacle and/or removal of the interface module from the interface receptacle. The interface module has a cartridge receptacle and a movable coding element. The movable coding element is movable from a neutral position into a coding position by insertion of a cartridge member into the cartridge receptacle. The resetting mechanism has a trigger element at least partially protruding into the module insertion path.

Methods, devices, and systems for hardware migration are described herein. One device includes a top housing, a plurality of input/output (I/O) adapter boards housed by the top housing, a base housing adjacent to the top housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) base adjacent to the plurality of I/O adapter boards and housed by the base housing, wherein the plurality of I/O adapter boards are electrically connected to the PCB base, and the PCB base includes a plurality of traces configured to provide an electrical path for inputs from a wiring baseboard of an existing controller to the plurality of I/O adapter boards.

A measuring and/or control system (1), to control for example a machine tool, comprises at least a first and a second unit, each comprising electronic circuits and at least one socket. The systems further includes a multipolar cable (8) containing a plurality of wires (8A) and having a first and a second end, each provided with a multipolar connector (9) adapted to be coupled to a socket of the first unit and second unit. At least one of the multipolar connectors of the multipolar cable is a fast wiring multipolar connector (12) provided with a first body (12A) and a second body (12B), adapted to be plugged into the first body. The first body comprises a support with two opposite faces, a first group of electrical contacts fixed to one of the faces of the support and adapted to be coupled to one of the sockets of the first or second unit, and a second group of electrical contacts fixed to the other face of the support. The second body comprises a frame with a plurality of seats (12S), a plurality of perforating electrical contacts (12P) that are adapted to be coupled to the second group of contacts of the first group, are housed in the seats, and are configured to perforate an insulating sheath which covers the wires (8A) and to fasten and electrically connect the wires and the perforating electrical contacts to each other, and a plurality of movable elements (12D) coupled to the frame and adapted to cooperate, in the seats, with the wires housed in the multipolar cable (8) in order to fasten and electrically connect the wires (8A) and the perforating electrical contacts (12P) to each other.

Various embodiments relate to a method, controller, and machine-readable storage medium for verifying controlled devices attached to the controller including one or more of the following: selecting, using a system model that models a system of devices comprising the controlled devices attached to the controller, a grouping of the system of devices to be tested; conducting a test of the grouping to produce a test result for the grouping, wherein conducting the test comprises transmitting a communication to at least one device associated with the grouping; choosing a graphical representation of a portion of the system model from a plurality of graphical representations based on the graphical representation including a representation of the grouping; and displaying, on a user interface, the graphical representation and an indication of the test result.

A control system includes a module assembly with a base. The base can be configured for engagement with at least one module having electronic circuitry disposed therein or other electronic device. The base includes at least one latching assembly with a lever operable to move a shuttle coupled to the lever to releasably engage the base with an elongated mounting rail.