Sinking and Sourcing Concepts

When choosing the type of input or output

Sinking = provides a path to supply common (-)
module for your system (or
DL05/DL06/DL105 I/O type), it is very Sourcing = provides a path to supply source (+)
important to have a solid understanding of Sinking Input Sinking Output
sinking and sourcing concepts. Use of (IEC: positive logic) (IEC: negative logic)
these terms occurs frequently in discussion Input Output
Load
of input or output circuits. It is the goal of + +
Input Output NPN
this section to make these concepts easy to Sensing Switch
-- --
understand, so you can make the right Common Common
choice the first time when selecting the type
PLC PLC
of I/O points for your application. This
Sourcing Input Sourcing Output
section provides short definitions, followed
(IEC: negative logic) (IEC: positive logic)
by general example circuits. Common Common
First you will notice that the diagrams on + Input Output
+
PNP
this page are associated with only DC --
Sensing Switch
--
Input Output
circuits and not AC, because of the refer- Load
ence to (+) and (-) polarities. Therefore, PLC PLC
sinking and sourcing terminology applies
only to DC input and output circuits. Input Sink/source I/O circuits combine sinking
and output points that are sinking or
Sink/Source Input
and sourcing capabilities. This means that (IEC: pos./neg. logic)
sourcing can conduct current in one direc- the I/O circuitry in the PLC will allow Common
tion only. This means it is possible to current to flow in either direction, as shown
connect the external supply and field at the right. The common terminal + -- Input
OR
device to the I/O point, with current trying connects to one polarity, and the I/O point -- + Sensing
to flow in the wrong direction, and the Input
connects to the other polarity (through the
circuit will not operate. However, the field device). This provides flexibility in PLC
supply and field device can be connected making connections to your field power
every time based on an understanding of Sink/Source Output
supply. Please note:
sourcing and sinking. (IEC: pos./neg. logic)
•Wire all I/Opoints with a shared common Common
The figure below depicts a sinking input. as either sinking or sourcing.
•Do notuse an ACpower supply on a DC Output + --
To properly connect the external supply, it PNP/NPN OR
must be connected so the input provides a sink/source I/Opoint. Switch -- +
Output
path to supply common(-). So, start at the Load
PLC input terminal, follow through the PLC
input sensing circuit, exit at the common
terminal, and connect the supply (-) to the
common terminal. By adding the switch
between the supply (+) and the input, the
circuit is completed. Current flows in the
direction of the arrow when the switch is
closed.
By applying the circuit principles to the four
possible combinations of input/output
sinking/sourcing types, there are four
Field device examples - 3 wire connections
circuits, as shown above. The common
terminal is the terminal that serves as the NPN (Sinking) PNP (Sourcing)
Field Device Example Field Device Example
common return path for all I/O points in
the bank. 24VDC DC Sourcing Input Module 24VDC
+ –
DC Sinking Input Module
+ –
Common Common
PLC + +
Input
(sinking)
+ Sensor
Output Optical Sensor
Optical
Input Input Isolator Output Input Isolator
Sensing
-- Current Sourcing Current Sinking
Configuration Configuration
Common – –
(NPN) Current Sinking (PNP) Current Sourcing
Field Device Field Device
Volume 14

e36-2 Appendix 1 - 80 0 - 633 - 0405

 Company
Information

Sinking and Sourcing Concepts Systems

Overview

Programmable
grouped into banks that share a common Controllers
Common PLC return path. The best indication of I/O
terminals and Field Main Path I/O
common grouping is on the wiring label. Field I/O
Device
how to use them (I/O Point) Circuit Sample DL05, DL06 and DL105 wiring
labels and their meanings are shown Software
+
In order for a PLC I/O circuit to operate, below.
current must enter at one terminal and --
C-more &
other HMI
exit at another. This means at least two Return Path
terminals are associated with every I/O Drives
point. In the figure at the right, the input
Soft
or output terminal is the main path for the Starters
current. One additional terminal must Input
provide the return path to the power Sensing Motors &
Input 1 Gearbox
supply. Together, the main path and the
return path create a loop, or a complete Input 2 Steppers/
Servos
circuit for current to flow.
If there was unlimited space and budget Input 3 Motor
Controls
for I/O terminals, then every I/O point
could have two dedicated terminals. Input 4 AC supply Proximity
12--24VDC INPUT DL405 input
module shown Sensors
However, providing this level of flexibility + 0
TB
A
4 0
B
4

is not practical or even necessary for most

1 5 1 5
2 6 2 6
3 7 3 7 Photo
D4--16ND2
Sensors
applications. So, most input or output -- Common AC or DC supply 10.2-- 26.4VDC
4-- 12mA

points on PLCs are in groups that share CA

Limit
0
the return path (called commons). The 4 Switches
1
figure at the right shows a group (or 5

DC supply 2
Encoders
bank) of four input points that share a 6

Wiring labels -- + 3

common return path. In this way, the four 7

CB Current
Sensors
inputs require only five terminals instead and how to
4
0
5
of eight. Input Switch
interpret them
1
6 Pressure
2 Sensors
NOTE: Assuming all input circuits have a similar 7

resistance, the current at the common terminal is DL205, DL305, DL405 - Most DL205, Output Load 3

Temperature
four times greater than the current at any one of the DL305 and DL405 input and output Sensors
L
inputs. This effect is especially important to note for
output circuits, where the current through a common modules group their I/O points into
Pushbuttons/
terminal can reach several amperes. You will need banks that share a common return path. Lights
to decide whether to fuse each output point individu- The best indication of I/O common
ally, or to put a fuse in the common terminal path.
grouping is on the wiring label, such as Process

the one shown at the right. The miniature

Relays/
schematic shows two circuit banks with Timers
eight input points in each. The common
Comm.
terminals are labeled “CA” and “CB,”
respectively. Terminal
Blocks &
In the wiring label example, the positive Wiring
terminal of a DC supply connects to the
common terminals. Some of the symbols Power

you will see on wiring labels and their Input Bank (DL05)
Circuit
meanings are shown at the right. Protection

DL05/DL06/DL105 — Most DL05, DL06 Enclosures

and DL105 input and output circuits are
Tools
I/O Common Grouping Bar (DL105)
Two banks of four inputs and two banks of three outputs (DL05) Pneumatics

Safety

Appendix

Two banks of four inputs and one bank of two (DL105) Product
Index

Part #
Index
Volume 14
w w w. a u to m at i o n d i re c t . c o m Appendix e36-3