how to connect the FLIR A70 Thermal camera to the PLCnext AXC F 2152 ?

PLCnext Technology & PLCnext Controls
1

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to connect a FLIR A70 thermal camera with a PLC (currently testing with Phoenix Contact PLCnext AXC F 2152, but information for any PLC is welcome).

Current setup:

  • FLIR A70 thermal camera

  • PLC connected through Ethernet switch

  • Laptop connected through the same Ethernet switch

  • Using the M8 ETH/PoE connector for Ethernet communication

  • Using the M12 PWR/DIG I/O cable with free colored wires connected toward the PLC

  • The M4 RS232/485 connector is also available

I am confused about the correct wiring and communication setup.

Questions:

  1. Should I use only the M8 ETH/PoE connection for communication?

  2. Should the M12 PWR/DIG I/O cable also be connected simultaneously with Ethernet?

  3. Is the M4 RS232/485 connection required when Ethernet communication is already being used?

  4. For PLC communication, is Modbus TCP or Ethernet/IP the recommended method?

  5. Has anyone successfully connected a FLIR A70 with any PLC such as Siemens, Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, Omron, Mitsubishi, Codesys, or PLCnext?

  6. What is the usual purpose of the M12 PWR/DIG I/O connection when Ethernet is already connected?

Right now the communication path is:
FLIR A70 → Ethernet switch → PLC + Laptop

I would really appreciate any wiring diagrams, example configurations, screenshots, or recommendations regarding whether the ETH/PoE, PWR/DIG I/O, and RS232/485 connections should all be used together or only selectively.

Thank you.

Image (1) (1)
Image (1) (1)1920×3267 1.41 MB

2

These questions are not related to PLCnext Technology and, as the questions suggest, they are also not specific to any Phoenix Contact product.

If the user manual for the FLIR device does not answer your questions, then the questions are best put to FLIR technical support.

You could also get in touch with your local Phoenix Contact office and they may be able to help, but they will need (at least):

  • a link to the user manual for the FLIR device showing a connection diagram for device communication.
  • a description or a diagram explaining which wires from the device you connected to which ports on the RS UNI Axioline I/O module.