Wiktor Wise
In electrical engineering, the letter U is commonly used to denote voltage supply, particularly in Europe. The use of the letter U is derived from the German word Unterschied, which means difference, implying voltage difference. This is in contrast to North America, where V is commonly used to represent voltage.
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What You'll Learn
US is Sensor Supply
In electrical engineering, the letter "U" is commonly used to denote voltage, specifically "voltage drops" or "voltage difference". This is derived from the German word "Unterschied", which means "difference". The use of "U" is more common in Europe, while V is more commonly used in North America.
When it comes to the specific term "US", it is used to refer to the power supply for sensors and communication power in IFM IO-Link Master devices. US is always required for these devices and must be connected for them to function. It is recommended to install the power supply for US independently of the power supply for the actuators (UA). This separation of power supplies helps protect the sensitive device electronics and ensures that the bus can continue running even if some I/O devices are switched off.
US provides the necessary voltage for the sensors and communication components of the device, while UA is responsible for supplying power to the actuators. In the context of IO-Link devices, if no actuators are being used, the UA supply is not necessary and only the US supply needs to be connected.
By separating the power supplies for US and UA, it is possible to control the input and output power independently. This means that even if the UA power supply or the Control Power is turned off, the input devices will still have power and will be functional. This can be advantageous for maintaining certain functionalities or for diagnostic purposes.
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UA is Actuator Supply
Actuators are devices that convert energy, which may be electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic, into mechanical energy. They are responsible for ensuring that a device can move when electric input is provided. Actuators are present in almost every machine, from simple electronic access control systems to industrial devices and robots.
IFM IO-Link Master devices, for example, require two supply voltages: US and UA. US supplies the communications power and the sensors, while UA is for supplying the actuators. UA is an output, like a solenoid valve, and is only required for devices with fixed outputs or for additional devices.
The voltage supply UA is only required for the supply of the IO-Link actuators. The IO-Link port, when in the operating mode "DO", is supplied via US. If an IO-Link device is not using any actuators, then the supply UA is not necessary.
It is good practice to separate these supplies so as to better protect the more sensitive device electronics and communications bus on US from the potentially higher current rated actuator devices on UA. However, due to space constraints, some installations use a single power supply connected to both US and UA.
In summary, UA is the Actuator Supply for devices requiring a power source to convert energy into mechanical force.
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U for voltage drop
In the context of electrical engineering, the letter "U" is commonly used to denote voltage, particularly in Europe. The use of "U" instead of "V" (the standard symbol for voltage) is attributed to a few possible reasons. Firstly, it may be derived from the German word "Unterschied," which means "difference." This implies a "voltage difference" and helps to distinguish the concept of voltage from its unit of measurement, volts. Another explanation suggests that "U" is used to avoid confusion with the mechanical term "volume," which is also represented by the letter "V."
Now, onto the specific term you've asked about: U for voltage drop. Voltage drop refers to the decrease in electric potential along the path of a current flowing in a circuit. This drop is undesirable as it leads to energy loss and can cause issues with the performance of electrical devices. For example, in a circuit with a 9-volt DC source and a light bulb connected in series, the voltage at the light bulb will be slightly less than 9 volts due to the voltage drop across the connecting wires.
The voltage drop is influenced by various factors, including the length of the wire, its size or diameter, and the material it's made of. Longer wires result in a greater voltage drop, while larger diameters lead to a smaller drop. Different materials have varying electrical conductivities, with silver, copper, gold, and aluminum being highly conductive. Additionally, the amount of current passing through the wire affects the voltage drop, with higher currents resulting in larger drops.
Ohm's law can be used to calculate voltage drop in a circuit by multiplying the current passing through the circuit by the resistance of the wire. This relationship is represented as V = IR, where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance. Techniques to mitigate voltage drop include increasing the diameter of the conductor or using active elements to compensate for excessive drops.
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U is used for voltage in Ohm's law
In electrical engineering, the letter "U" is often used to denote voltage supply. This is said to be derived from the German word "Unterschied", which means "difference", implying "voltage difference".
Ohm's Law is a formula used to calculate the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. The formula is expressed as Voltage (E) = Current (I) x Resistance (R) or V = A x Ω. This formula allows technicians to determine the voltage, current, or resistance in a circuit if they know the values of any two of these quantities.
Ohm's Law is named after German physicist Georg Ohm, who discovered that the amount of electric current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage imposed on it. In other words, one volt of pressure is required to push one amp of current through one ohm of resistance. This discovery was first published in 1827 and became widely accepted in the 1840s.
Ohm's Law is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and electronics, and it is used to validate the static values of circuit components, current levels, voltage supplies, and voltage drops. It is also used to detect problems in a circuit when standard values do not register on testing equipment. By manipulating the formula, technicians can determine the unknown value of voltage, current, or resistance in a circuit.
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UA powers output ports
In electrical engineering, the letter "U" is often used to denote voltage supply. The term is said to be derived from the German word "Unterschied", which means "difference", implying "voltage difference".
In the context of IFM IO-Link Master devices, a distinction is made between two supply voltages: US and UA. UA powers output ports, while US powers input devices into the I/O link, such as sensors, proxes, and laser sensors.
UA is the Actuator supply and is only required for devices with fixed outputs or for additional devices. It is used to supply the IO-Link actuators. If an IO-Link device is not using any actuators, the UA supply need not be connected.
US, on the other hand, is the Sensor supply and is always required. It supplies the communications power and the sensors. The power supply for US (device electronics) and UA (actuators) should be independent of each other. This way, the bus can continue running even if some I/O devices are switched off.
When the UA power is turned off, there will be no outputs on the PLC output card. However, the input devices will still have power, and the inputs on the PLC input card will still be visible.
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