Product Description:

The X20ATA312 is an input module manufactured by B&R Automation for the X20 Fieldbus Input Output Modules series. It is intended for thermal instrumentation tasks, converting precision resistance readings from platinum sensing elements into scaled engineering units that a PLC can interpret. Housed in the standard X20 form factor, the unit occupies one slot on an X20 backplane and clips onto a DIN top-hat rail alongside digital and motion modules, giving machine builders a uniform platform for distributed temperature feedback.

The module provides 2 galvanically isolated channels dedicated to temperature monitoring. Each channel evaluates the sensor’s ohmic value, so the acquisition principle is based on resistance measurement instead of voltage measurement. A successive-approximation converter resolves input changes down to 0.01 °C, allowing tight control when product quality depends on narrow thermal windows. Factory scaling matches the characteristics of a Pt100 element, eliminating the need for external linearization in the controller. Internal diagnostics supervise lead breakage, sensor plausibility, and out-of-range excursions, with status bits returned over the deterministic X20 bus so that faults can be addressed within a single scan.

Mechanical segmentation uses 3 internal sections that separate field wiring, signal conditioning, and bus logic to minimize crosstalk. Installation on a top-hat DIN rail locks the housing in place without additional brackets, and a separate terminal block allows field wiring to be removed while the module remains on the rail. Terminations use push-in technology, so conductors fitted with ferrules up to 2 × 0.75 mm² can be inserted without tools, reducing cabinet assembly time. The device supports a nettime function, enabling precisely timestamped measurements for distributed control loops where scheduling accuracy is critical.