Glossary
AC (Alternating Current)
A type of electrical current in which both the magnitude and the direction of current varies cyclically. AC follows a sinusoidal (sine) wave form. Compare to DC.
adapter card
Printed circuit board, typically installed within a computer or controller, used to transfer data between a bus and a device.
See Opto 22 adapter cards used with controllers.
See adapter cards for use in computers (and standalone cards).
Amp or Ampere
Unit of electrical current, abbreviation A.
analog
Describes data that can assume a continuous range of values, such as current, voltage, or temperature readings.
Analog inputs and outputs read and write analog values.
See Opto 22 SNAP I/O analog modules.
analog point
An input or output point that can have a range of values. Temperature sensors and proportional valves are examples of analog devices that might be connected to analog I/O points.
See Opto 22 analog I/O.
ARC Advisory Group
A research and advisory firm in the manufacturing and automation fields. The term PAC (programmable automation controller) was coined and defined by ARC.
ARCNET
A local-area network protocol used for computers and process control since the 1980s.
Some older Opto 22 controllers, such as the SNAP-LCM4 with an adapter card, can communicate over ARCNET networks.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ASCII is a set of 128 characters that include letters, numbers, punctuation, and control codes each represented by a unique number.
automation
A means of adding intelligence to an industrial process by using machines and computers. Automating a process decreases the need for people to directly participate in the process. It also improves the performance, accuracy, and reliability of a process.
Opto 22's SNAP PAC System is designed to simplify the typically complex task of understanding, selecting, buying, and applying automation systems. The SNAP PAC System consists of four integrated components: software, controllers, brains, and I/O.
average filter weight
A value used to smooth analog input signals that are erratic or affected by noise.
Opto 22 SNAP PAC I/O processors (brains) can apply average filter weight values to analog points.
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Guide to PACs
Configuring Your System
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