Configurable binary circuits for use in electrical power systems may include an input/output port, a binary input subsystem for receiving a binary input signal, a binary output subsystem for transmitting a binary output signal, and a switch subsystem for selecting one of the binary input subsystem or the binary output subsystem for operation. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more configurable binary circuits.

A method, system and apparatus for identifying a type of device connected to I/O (Input/Output) channels of an I/O module, can involve applying a current for a predefined time duration to one or more I/O channels of an I/O module, initiating a current readback at a regular interval of time within the predefined time duration, determining values of the current readback for each of a time interval during the predefined time duration, storing the values of the current readback in a memory associated with the I/O module, determining a pattern as a function of the values of the current readback and a sample of time interval for a device connected to the one or more I/O channels, and identifying a type of the device connected to the one or more I/O channels based on a determined pattern of a current sink of the device connected to the one or more I/O channels.

An apparatus includes multiple circuit paths configured to generate multiple electrical signals to be used to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the circuit paths is configured to use electrical energy from a different one of multiple independent power supplies. The apparatus also includes an I/O terminal configured to be coupled to a common electrical conductor that is coupled to the multiple devices. The I/O terminal is configured to pass the electrical signals to the common electrical conductor. The apparatus is configured to use each of the electrical signals to one of: receive input data from one of the multiple devices or provide output data to one of the multiple devices.

A method, system and apparatus for identifying a type of device connected to I/O (Input/Output) channels of an I/O module, can involve applying a current for a predefined time duration to one or more I/O channels of an I/O module, initiating a current readback at a regular interval of time within the predefined time duration, determining values of the current readback for each of a time interval during the predefined time duration, storing the values of the current readback in a memory associated with the I/O module, determining a pattern as a function of the values of the current readback and a sample of time interval for a device connected to the one or more I/O channels, and identifying a type of the device connected to the one or more I/O channels based on a determined pattern of a current sink of the device connected to the one or more I/O channels.

An apparatus includes multiple circuit paths configured to generate multiple electrical signals to be used to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the circuit paths is configured to use electrical energy from a different one of multiple independent power supplies. The apparatus also includes an I/O terminal configured to be coupled to a common electrical conductor that is coupled to the multiple devices. The I/O terminal is configured to pass the electrical signals to the common electrical conductor. The apparatus is configured to use each of the electrical signals to one of: receive input data from one of the multiple devices or provide output data to one of the multiple devices.

Configurable binary circuits for use in electrical power systems may include an input/output port, a binary input subsystem for receiving a binary input signal, a binary output subsystem for transmitting a binary output signal, and a switch subsystem for selecting one of the binary input subsystem or the binary output subsystem for operation. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more configurable binary circuits.

An I/O module includes a base plate, a plurality of universal circuits, and an option module. The base plate includes a plurality of connection terminals. A plurality of field devices is electrically connectable to the connection terminals. The universal circuits correspond to the connection terminals. The universal circuits are provided on the base plate, and configured to perform an input of analog signals from the field device, an output of analog signals to the field device, an input of discrete signals from the field device, and an output of discrete signals to the field device. The option module is detachably provided in the base plate. The option module is provided between a first connection terminal of the connection terminals and a first universal circuit of the universal circuits. The option module includes a first circuit configured to performing transmitting and receiving of signals between the first connection terminal and the first universal circuit. The first connection terminal corresponds to the first universal circuit.

An I/O module includes a base plate, a plurality of universal circuits, and an option module. The base plate includes a plurality of connection terminals. A plurality of field devices is electrically connectable to the connection terminals. The universal circuits correspond to the connection terminals. The universal circuits are provided on the base plate, and configured to perform an input of analog signals from the field device, an output of analog signals to the field device, an input of discrete signals from the field device, and an output of discrete signals to the field device. The option module is detachably provided in the base plate. The option module is provided between a first connection terminal of the connection terminals and a first universal circuit of the universal circuits. The option module includes a first circuit configured to performing transmitting and receiving of signals between the first connection terminal and the first universal circuit. The first connection terminal corresponds to the first universal circuit.

An I/O module includes a base plate, a plurality of universal circuits, and an option module. The base plate includes a plurality of connection terminals. A plurality of field devices is electrically connectable to the connection terminals. The universal circuits correspond to the connection terminals. The universal circuits are provided on the base plate, and configured to perform an input of analog signals from the field device, an output of analog signals to the field device, an input of discrete signals from the field device, and an output of discrete signals to the field device. The option module is detachably provided in the base plate. The option module is provided between a first connection terminal of the connection terminals and a first universal circuit of the universal circuits. The option module includes a first circuit configured to performing transmitting and receiving of signals between the first connection terminal and the first universal circuit. The first connection terminal corresponds to the first universal circuit.