Product Description:

The 3EX350.6 is an I/O master controller produced by B & R Automation for the System 2005 Controllers series. Installed in a control rack, it coordinates local and remote input/output modules so a PLC can exchange real-time process data with field devices. Within an automation line, the unit occupies a single expansion slot and governs backplane traffic, letting higher-level CPUs scale their channel counts without adding extra processors. It is intended for applications that need distributed I/O without moving control execution away from the central PLC.

As an Expansion Master, the module can drive up to 4 additional System 2005 backplanes, providing a digital capacity of 1024 In / 1024 Out and an analog capacity of 512 In / 512 Out. This channel density allows one controller to service mixed-signal machines that combine discrete sensors, valves, and proportional actuators. The power draw is only 1.5 W from the 5 VDC rail, so thermal loading on the cabinet and demand on the PS465 supply remain minimal. Because there is no galvanic isolation between the PLC core and the expansion bus, common referencing must be observed when wiring shielded cables, and the direct electrical link helps keep signal transfer straightforward across the rack.

Field access to the I/O stacks uses the B&R Local I/O Bus Expansion (Secured) method, which locks carrier connectors to resist vibration. Nonvolatile data buffering is handled by a Battery Backup, preserving process images during power loss and allowing the system to resume without reinitializing every channel. The housing carries a protection rating of IP20, making the module suitable for clean, enclosed panels alongside the Series 2005 CPU and the dedicated PS465 Power Supply Unit. No status indicators are fitted, so diagnostic information must be retrieved through the PLC software environment or an external HMI, where operating conditions and communication faults can be reviewed directly.