Volume 10 Issue 3, April 2008
We hope you find this issue of our e-mail update of what's new at AutomationDirect informative and, at times, a little amusing.
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Editor's note:

What is it you do?

That is a question that is asked of me at least once a week. When I explain the duties I do on a daily basis, the follow up question is obvious; "What does your company do?" That's when I pull up a chair and give the details of what makes us AutomationDirect.

With over 6,500 industrial control products, many priced below industry average, AutomationDirect is your source for solutions to many application needs. In addition to our large product lines such as PLCs, Operator Interfaces, and AC motors, you will find products to work either separately or in conjunction with them.

Our SureServo and SureStep lines provide dependable motion control for many industrial applications. We offer a wide selection of sensors too. You'll find inductive and capacitive proximity switches, as well as photoelectric, ultrasonic, and fiber optic sensors. If you need current sensors, our acuAMP line has you covered. We also have limit switches and encoders.

In addition to this small sampling of our products, you'll find just about everything you need to connect it all together. We offer hook up wire in a variety of sizes, wire connectors, terminal blocks, wire duct and wire wrap. Of course, you need something to hold everything. Count on our NEMA rated metallic and non-metallic enclosures.

We have a large selection of circuit protection products as well. You'll find everything from fuses to circuit breakers, to disconnects.

I could go on and on, but it would take quite a while to talk about all the products. You can see our complete product offering in two ways. Check out www.automationdirect.com and view our online catalog. You can even request a FREE "hard copy" of our 2,000+ page catalog. Many of our customers keep a copy in their offices, and in their cars, so it is always nearby to help find the right product for the job.

In this month's newsletter, you'll learn of the newest products we have available, read the latest company news, and then take a break with the Lighter Side.

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30-day Guarantee Now Includes IronHorse Motors
As our customers know, we offer a 30-day money-back period on most all of the 6,500 products found in our catalog and on our Web store, beginning 10 days after the date of the invoice. We are glad to announce this policy now includes the full line of IronHorse motors as well as large GS and Hitachi drives. This grace period provides sample time for you to receive the product and ensure it meets your needs. See "Guidelines for Returns" for complete details. Products returned outside the 30-day policy will be subject to restocking fees.

"Limited time Pricing" Permanent on IronHorse Motors

For the last few months, we have offered IronHorse motors with introductory prices. Due to overwhelming response, our product managers have decided to end the campaign by making the low prices permanent. You will continue to find IronHorse motors starting at $86. Learn more about IronHorse motors here.

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DC-to-DC Converters now Available

AutomationDirect has extended its RHINO™ PSP line of power supplies to include DC-to-DC converters. Available with wide input ranges (9.5 to 18 VDC and 18 to 75 VDC), the four available models can be operated from all popular DC supply voltage systems. Tightly regulated output voltage provides a reliable power source for applications such as industrial process controls, factory automation, and other equipment exposed to critical industrial environments. RHINO DC-to-DC converters can be used to isolate a specific load from the 24 volt bus voltage, and offer easy installation with snap-on DIN-rail mounting and detachable screw terminal blocks. Converters are also wall mountable with included wall-mount bracket. With prices starting at $70.25, the DC-to-DC converters are backed by a 3-year warranty.

See the full line of RHINO DC-to-DC converters, visit: www.automationdirect.com/dc-converters.

C-more Micro Line Includes High-Contrast Models

The C-more Micro-Graphic panel line has been extended to include high-contrast panels and now supports additional PLC protocols. Starting at $139, the new 3.1-inch micro-graphic models, in touch and non-touch versions, feature white and red LED backlights and support 5 selectable screen colors. In addition to supporting all DirectLOGIC PLCs, Modbus RTU and Allen-Bradley DF1 protocols, new communication drivers have been added to support Allen-Bradley DH485, Siemens PPI, and GE SNPX for Micro 90 and VersaMax Micro. Updated software is available for free download.

See more information on the C-more Micro operator interfaces.

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Let's Hear it for FACTS

Recently, FACTS Engineering, an exclusive supplier to AutomationDirect, was selected as a top 10 finalist in Freescale Semiconductor's Inaugural Freescale Technology Forum Green Design Challenge. Soon they will head to Orlando, Florida where they will demonstrate how their Sun Light Efficiency Detector can play a vital role in the "going green" movement. Find out more here.

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(contributed by an AutomationDirect teamer)

DIY Kit - Step 44

My wife, three younger sisters, and two daughters have observed over the years that I am constantly tinkering with electrical and electronic 'stuff', so it never catches me by surprise when one of them asks an 'electrical' question. This was the case one Sunday afternoon when our youngest daughter called with an "electrical" question. She explained that her dishwasher had been recalled, because instances reported where her particular model had caught fire. The manufacturer advised that all owners immediately stop usage. My daughter called a toll free number for assistance; she was given a choice of either receiving a $75 rebate toward the purchase of a replacement dishwasher, or a repair kit could be shipped out to her. She is sure she heard the words Do-It-Yourself kit from the representative. I immediately envisioned a small, easily replaced part or cover. She chose the 'DIY' kit.

The kit arrived in a few days. She explained that her husband and she had dutifully followed 'most' of the included instructions to the 'tee'. They had almost everything back together, but were left with two pairs of wires, one pair with a blue and white wire, and the other with a purple and two connected white wires. As soon as she mentioned having wires disconnected, I became very concerned. I interrupted, and after some tactfully direct questioning, I discovered that they were in the process of replacing the entire wiring harness on their dishwasher! This involved removing the front kick panel, disconnecting power to the terminal box, pulling the entire unit out of its resting place, removing the rear door cover, etc. I questioned if they should really be doing this. I hinted that maybe the manufacturer would want their technician or a qualified contractor to perform this type of work. I mentioned that it was hard for me to believe that the manufacturer's lawyers wouldn't be concerned with a liability suit brought on by an end user possibly injured by using the 'DIY' kit.

In between covering questions such as, "Did you make sure you killed the breaker to the dishwasher?", "Is there a wiring diagram on the rear of the kick panel?", establishing terminology such as "push-on terminals", explaining common or neutral is most likely the white wire, etc., I kept repeating that I couldn't believe the manufacturer intended for the end user to make a major repair such as replacing the entire wiring harness. I'm sure my daughter was glad when we concluded the blue/white pair went to the door vent terminals and the purple/white pair went to the door latch sensor terminals.

Late that evening my daughter called back with the good news. First, the dishwasher had run though several cycles with no problems. Next was the proverbially bad news. She explained that Step 44 stated for the technician to place the enclosed green sticker visible to the owner to let them know the repair had been made, and to also leave the enclosed pamphlet so the owner would understand why the repair was needed.

I could only laugh and tell her how proud I was of her and her husband.

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