Relays, sensors and power supply modules available directly from the TME product catalogue

In the field of automation system components, few brands can boast as wide recognition as OMRON. It retains its market position with an offering full of innovative solutions designed on the basis of decades of experience.

Undoubtedly, the best recognised OMRON products are electromagnetic relays that are highly regarded by technicians and designers alike and widely used by manufacturers operating in the automation industry. However, the OMRON product offering definitely goes beyond this narrow product range. The supplier’s portfolio includes numerous components designed for installation in industrial machinery, building automation systems and similar demanding applications. See below for an overview of such products manufactured by OMRON. All of them are readily available directly from the TME stock.

This article answers the following questions and focuses on the following issues:

• What are the advantages of the Omron industrial photoelectric sensors?
• Why is using interface relays cost-effective?
• What SSR-related solutions are offered by Omron?
• DIN rail-mounted solid-state relays
• Applications and overview of industrial AC/DC power supply modules

Photoelectric sensors

Photoelectric sensors use a concentrated light beam to detect the presence of objects. Their operation delay time is measured in tenths of a millisecond. Thanks to such features as rapid actuation times and no necessity of physical contact with the object being detected, these products are widely used in industrial automation systems and related fields (building automation, alarm systems). They can also be used to monitor the operation of various mechanisms, detect the presence of corrosive substances or handle objects at very high temperatures (the modules themselves feature thermal tolerance ranging from -25°C to 55°C, however, the temperature of detected objects is not limited by such constraints).

The 18 mm diffuse-reflective sensor with pre-installed lead wires.

The OMRON product offering includes three most popular photoelectric sensor types: diffuse-reflective sensors, retro-reflective sensors and sensors designed as a through-beam solution.. The first sensor type mentioned above alerts users about the object presence when the emitted radiation beam becomes reflected off its surface and reaches a receiver installed in the same enclosure as the transmitter. The operating distance of such solutions ranges from 0 m to 0.3 m. As far as the sensors equipped with a reflector are concerned, detection results from beam interruption, as the beam should be reflected in an undisturbed manner by the reflector placed in front of the transmitter. Although it requires careful and precise installation, this operating principle allows to design sensors operating over longer distances, i.e. from 0.1 m to 3 m (refers to OMRON products). In the case of the products in which the transmitter and receiver modules are separated, this range is extended up to 13 m, however, in this case, extremely stable mounting is required. As one might guess, they are responsible for signalling a condition in which the receiver does not detect the radiation sent from the transmitter. Regardless of their set-up, OMRON sensors are housed in tight (IP66) enclosures made of ABS, with metric (M18) threads. They are equipped with transistor outputs. They can operate in the DARK-ON or LIGHT-ON mode (reverse condition signalling). Their advantage consists in the fact that they can be supplied with 10 V–30 V DC voltages, and this range is offered by most of the typical power supply voltages, i.e. 12 V and 24 V. They are connected using pre-installed, 2-meter cables or M12.0 circular industrial connectors.

Relays

As it has already been mentioned, as far as relays are concerned, OMRON is recognised primarily as a supplier of miniature components with a classic electromagnetic design. This article provides an overview of other relays provided by this manufacturer, i.e. those dedicated to industrial automation systems.

G2RV-SR I/O interface relays

DIN rail-mounted I/O interface relay.

The G2RV-SR series comprises “interface relays”, i.e. products consisting of two essential components: a miniature, replaceable electromagnetic relay and a socket in which it is seated, suitable for DIN rail-mounting (35 mm). The body comes with screw or spring-loaded terminal sockets. These products make it possible to apply typical, affordable relays in installations laid inside control cabinets, switchgears, etc. The additional advantage of OMRON G2RV-SR products is their ultra-slim enclosure profile, i.e. only 6.2 mm.

As far as electric parameters are concerned, the G2RV-SR products withstand currents reaching up to 6 A for 250 V AC and 30 V DC (maximum 125 V DC, 440 V AC). Control operations require voltages ranging from 24 V AC/DC to 230 V AC (depending on the model). The maximum actuation time is 20 ms. All products belonging to this group feature the SPDT contact set-up. In addition, optional equipment for these relays includes a test button with a contact lock function, as this feature greatly facilitates installation, maintenance and service work.

G3NA series of SSRs

SSRs  are relays whose design is based on semiconducting components. They offer several important advantages, i.e. they are silent, fast and boast a very long service life. Moreover, they facilitate conditional current flow control e.g. switching at zero-crossing (when the potential difference within AC lines is close to 0 V, as in the case of the G3NA products). Therefore, connecting a consumer does not cause significant interference in the supply circuit. This also enhances the service life of the connected electronic circuits, inverters, motors etc., which are not exposed to voltage spikes.

SSR module dimensions: 58 x 43 x 28 mm.

The OMRON G3NA series includes SSRs designed to control single-phase circuits, at the voltage range from 19–264 V to 200–480 V AC. The control voltages for such components are from 4 V to 32 V DC or from 100 V to 240 V AC (depending on the model). High operating amperage (even up to 90 A) is their most significant advantage. Importantly, these components are designed to withstand temperatures from -30°C to 80°C, so they can be installed in industrial automation systems as well as building automation systems, public space illumination systems and other outdoor applications.

G3PJ solid-state relays

G3PJ series of SSRs with integrated heat sink.

The G3PJ series includes another type of solid-state relays models offered by OMRON. Their design facilitates creating compact units, in particular control panels. It is possible due to the relays mounted vertically (width: 22.5 mm) and heat sinks ensuring uniform and effective heat dissipation. Their current carrying capacity is 15 A or 25 A (for single-phase 24–480 V AC circuits), and the control voltage ranges from 12 to 24 V DC. The components can be connected via screw terminals placed on the front panel (under a guard). It must be noted that the G3PJ series units can be mounted directly on a DIN rail (35 mm). Alternatively, mounting holes can also be used for this purpose.

Industrial DC power supply modules

Cutting-edge industrial automation systems almost always require a DC power line. It supplies controllers, sensors, monitoring components, control panels, etc. Typically, the voltage values amount to 5 V, 12 V, 24 V and 48 V DC. Unfortunately, obtaining and stabilising such voltages can sometimes be troublesome, especially in a machinery park environment, where significant power line interferences can occur. To solve this problem, OMRON has launched the S8VK power supply module family (subdivided into several series).

The S8VK series products are retrofitted “descendants” of power supply units marketed by OMRON already in the 1980s (the S82K series, and then the S8VS series). It illustrates perfectly the company’s established and well-deserved position on the global markets. See below for a brief overview of its industrial DC power supply modules.

A compact design is the key feature of the S8VK power supply modules. Moreover, they are designed to make installation and cabling as easy as possible, and to ensure their ability to operate in diverse thermal conditions (i.e. from -40 to 70°C for the majority of models). Converters come with basic protective circuits:

• OPP ( or ), protection triggered after exceeding 105–160% of the rated value;
• OVP (), power supply module deactivation if excessive output voltage is detected (until the unit is reset);
• SCP () prevents converter damage due to output circuit shorting.

The converter power rating ranges from 15 W to 960 W. They can be supplied with both AC and DC voltages (with a few exceptions). They are connected via screw or spring terminals. The S8VK-T series models are designed to operate in three-phase systems; they can also operate in a parallel mode to ensure even higher output power ratings. The S8VK-G subseries is designed to provide single-phase current supply. A lower price is its distinguishing feature.

As the S8VK units are switched-mode power supply units, they ensure high efficiency (even up to 96%), and their output voltage is adjustable (within a range specified for a given model).

Text prepared by Transfer Multisort Elektronik Sp. z o.o.