An introduction to Rockwell Automation's Micro800 Starter Packs
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One of the aspects that makes it hard to learn PLC programming is the fact that the hardware is very expensive. Generally, its too expensive for an individual person to invest in for educational purposes.
Rockwell Automation's Micro800 Starter Kits are a potential solution to this challenge. They are low-cost kits that contain all of the components that you need to start working with Micro800 PLCs.
Before we look at the contents of the Micro800 Starter Kits, let's address the question - what is a Micro800 PLC?
Micro800 controllers are a range of small PLCs that are designed to control small, standalone machines.
For more information on what a PLC is, you can check out our PLC Concepts post and for more information on Micro800 PLCs, you can check out our Micro800 PLC Concepts post.
Micro800 Controller Starter Packs aim to remove barriers to entry for potential customers. Rather than requiring customers to make substantial investments before they can evaluate the technology, Rockwell Automation provides complete, ready-to-use packages at reduced costs.
For Rockwell Automation, there are three benefits to releasing Micro800 Starter Packs;
First, it allows customers who have never used Micro800 controllers to explore their capabilities without major financial commitment.
Second, it increases hands-on experience among users who might be considering switching from competitive products.
Third, it serves as a long-term strategy to convert customers from competing automation platforms.
For individuals, there is one main benefit of Micro800 Starter Kits:
It gives you access to low-cost PLC hardware that you can practice PLC programming with.
There are several different types of Micro800 Starter Packs available, built around different controller models.
The Micro810 represents the entry level of the Micro800 family.
Its starter pack includes the basic controller unit, an LCD display for local monitoring, a USB adapter for programming connectivity, and a power supply. The package also includes a USB cable for connecting to a computer running the programming software.
This configuration is ideal for simple automation tasks and serves as an excellent introduction to PLC programming concepts.
The Micro820 controller offers more advanced capabilities and comes in two starter pack variations.
The standard starter pack includes additional components like a PanelView 800 4-inch graphic terminal, which provides a touchscreen interface for operators. It also includes an Ethernet cable for network connectivity and a digital/analog input simulator for training purposes.
The Lite version of the Micro820 starter pack contains the same controller and basic components but omits the PanelView terminal. This creates a more affordable option while still providing the core functionality needed for evaluation and learning.
The Micro850 controller represents a step up in capability and includes more sophisticated features. Both the standard and lite versions include a 2-channel analog input plug-in module, which expands the controller's ability to work with analog sensors and devices. The power supply is also upgraded to handle the increased power requirements of this more capable controller.
Like the Micro820, the Micro850 standard package includes the PanelView 800 terminal while the lite version focuses on the essential components. Both versions include the input simulator, which is particularly valuable for training and demonstration purposes.
The Micro870 controller sits at the high end of the Micro800 family and offers the most advanced features. Its starter pack follows the same pattern as the Micro850, with standard and lite versions that differ primarily in the inclusion of the PanelView terminal.
Every starter pack includes access to Connected Components Workbench software, which is the programming environment for Micro800 controllers. This software can also be downloaded for free from Rockwell Automation's website.
You can learn more about Connected Components Workbench in our Connected Components Workbench Concepts post.
Each pack includes installation instructions and a quick reference guide specifically designed for the starter pack. These materials are crafted to help users become productive quickly, reducing the learning curve required to get started.
Micro800 Starter Packs are primarily used for education.
The complete, self-contained nature of the packs means that you don't need to spend a lot of time figuring out what hardware is required to get started and the inclusion of an input simulator means that users can explore programming concepts and test applications without need to connect actual sensors.
This makes Micro800 Starter Packs an ideal choice for individuals who want to learn programming on real hardware, universities and colleges who are looking for affordable PLC hardware for curriculums, and training companies that want to give students a chance to get their hands dirty with PLC hardware.
Micro800 Starter Packs are an affordable way for individuals to get hands-on practice with PLC hardware. For a reasonable price, you can buy everything you need to build practical PLC programming skills.
If you want to learn how to program Micro800 PLCs, you can check out our AB-CCW-PLC learning path which teaches you how to program Micro800 PLCs with Connected Components Workbench from first principles by building projects. Controls Engineering Academy members have access to all of these courses.
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