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  • Author Author: jeastwood
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Road Test for EATON's SmartWire System

jeastwood
Eaton’s SmartWire-DT Element 14 Road Test

 

Background

 

I work at an aircraft repair facility in the R&D Department and am involved with the designing and building of test equipment for testing various aircraft systems; electronic, electrical, hydraulic, instrumentation, pressurization. Most of the test equipment we build is custom for each application.

 

 
What is it?

 

The Eaton SmartWire system is a set of industrial controls designed for ease of wiring and implementation.

 

The evaluation package included everything needed to try out the system except a computer. The items included:

 

1.      Easy 802 programmable relay with SmartWire-DT

 

2.      Contactors

 

3.      Contactor modules

 

4.      Start- Stop switches

 

5.      LED modules

 

6.      Assembled ribbon cable

 

7.      Programming software

 

8.      Programming cable

 

 
Initial Impression

 

Assembly – the assembly and electrical hookup went together without any problems, with the cable being pre-built for the road test kit – following the instructions was almost not required.

 

The supplied software installed and ran without any issues (on Windows 7).

 

Using the software required reading the instructions – not that they were difficult, but some of the steps were dependent on prior steps.

 

1.      Build the setup in software – pick all of the components and place them on the assembly panel.

 

2.      Build the ladder logic of how you want the system to respond to input actions. – This is where any prior PLC programming experience would be helpful.

 

3.      Download the program to SmartWire System

 

4.      See it work.

 

 
Pros:

 

·        Easy to make changes to program –i.e. make changes to how it operates without having to make control wiring changes

 

·        Wiring is simple, and a much cleaner looking layout.

 

·        It can be integrated with other equipment.

 

 
Cons:

 

·        Has a slightly higher cost than non SmartWire components.

 

·        Initial cost outlay for crimper, download cable and software (there is a free version available for download).

 

·        Knowing basic Ladder Logic is required.

 

·        Start/Stop Switches did not quite seem to be rugged enough for use in several locations in our facility.

 

 
Conclusion:

 

I liked the fact I was able to get the system wired, software installed, programming completed and downloaded to the controller all in under 1 hour. I would definitely consider using SmartWire in a future project.

 

 
John