Output subassembly and method of operating the output subassembly

摘要

A method for operating an output subassembly in which a first driver module is operated between a power supply connection on the output subassembly, and an output and is actuated via a first control input to connect the voltage to the output, wherein a second driver module is operated in parallel with the first driver module and is actuated, via a second control input, to connect a voltage to an output, where at an initial time a control circuit receives a command to switch the voltage to the output and the control circuit thereupon initially actuates the second control input for a predefined first length of time, so that the second driver module is operated with current limitation up to a maximum current and, after a predefined second length of time, measured from the initial time, the control circuit actuates the first control input when the command is in effect.

主权项

1. A method for operating a fail-safe automation component to provide functional security for a programmable logic controller of an automation environment, said fail-safe automation component having an output circuit by which a voltage is connected through to a load connected to an output, which creates a current, the method comprising:
operating a first driver module between a supply voltage connection on the output subassembly and the output and actuating the first driver module via a first control input to connect the voltage through to the output, the first driver module including a current switch-off that only takes effect if a short circuit occurs; operating a second driver module in parallel with the first driver module between the supply voltage connection and the output and actuating the second driver module, via a second control input to connect the voltage through to the output; receiving by a control circuit, at a starting time point, a switching command from the programmable logic controller of the automation environment to switch the voltage through to the output and initially actuating, by the control circuit, the second control input for a predefined first length of time, such that the second driver module is operated with current level limitation up to a maximum current level; and actuating additionally, by the control circuit, after elapse of a predefined second length of time selected as a value which is less than or equal to a value of the first length of time, measured from the starting time point, the first control input for as long as the switching command remains in effect such that the fail-safe automation component provides functional security for the programmable logic controller of the automation environment.