GFK-0825F Chapter 3 Installation 3-3
3
System Wiring Guidelines
Four types of wiring may be encountered in a typical factory installation:
1. Power wiring - the plant power distribution, and high power loads such as high
horsepower motors. These circuits may be rated from tens to thousand s of KVA at 220
VAC or higher.
2. Control wiring - usually either low voltage DC or 120 VAC of limited energy rating.
Examples are wiring to start/stop switches, contactor coils, and machine limit switches.
This is generally the interface level of the Genius discrete I/O.
3. Analog wiring - transducer outputs and analog control voltages. This is the interface level
to Genius I/O analog blocks.
4. Communications and signal wiring - the communications network that ties everything
together, including computer LANs, MAP, and Genius I/O and communi cations bus.
These four types of wiring should be separated as much as possible to reduce the hazards from
insulation failure, miswiring, and interaction (noise) between signals. A typical PLC system with
Genius I/O may require some mixing of the latter three types of wiring, particularly in cramped
areas inside motor con tr ol centers and on control pan el s. In general, it is acceptabl e t o mix the
communications bus cable with the I/O wiring from the blocks, as well as associated control level
wiring. All noise pickup is cumulative, depending on both the spacing between wires, and the
distance span they run tog et her. I/O wires and communi cations bus cable can be placed ran domly
in a wiring trough for lengths of up to 50 feet. If wiring is cord-tied (harnessed), do not include the
bus cable in the harness, sin ce binding wires tightl y together increases the coupl ing and mechanical
stress that can damage the relatively soft insulation of some serial cable types.
Wiring which is external to equipment, and in cable trays, should be separated following NEC
practices.

Installing Additional Suppression

It is possible some insta llations might exceed the s ur ge immunity capabilities specified in chapter
1. This is most likely in outd oor installa t i ons or where th e power source i s from another bu ilding or
ground system . It is pruden t to provide local transient pr otection.
Appendix B describes installation of additional suppression at the power and communications
lines.