| Actuator
| Mechanism of the switch or switch enclosure which operates the contacts. |
| Baud
| A measure of communication speed. Defined as bit/second. |
| Bit
| A single unit of memory (i.e., 0 or 1). See Byte. |
| Byte
| A unit of memory storing 8 adjacent bits, and defining one alphanumeric character. |
| Control Editor
| The software that organizes and controls the network. This may be a Windows based program, and can use flowchart code, ladder logic, or any other control language. |
| Controller Area Network (CAN)
| A communications protocol specification that defines: (1) A media access control methodology, and (2) Physical signaling. CAN is a broadcast-oriented protocol. CAN frames transmitted on the network are assigned an identifier, and each station decides, based on this identifier, whether or not it receives the frame. |
| Dropline
| Cable attaching a device to the trunk cable of a DeviceNet system. Must be a thin cable. |
| Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
| A communication protocol that allows different software to packages to pass information back and forth. |
| Electrical Noise
| Noise results from the presence of undesirable electrical voltages or current. It causes devices to operate erratically (if the noise is on the supply line to a device), or produces false information or erratic operation (if present on wires carrying signals from the output of a device to the load). Noise can be present in the supply or picked up on lines in many ways. Pick-up from noisy adjacent wires or metal parts is possible. Good wiring practice and/or additional parts can be used to diminish the effects of noise. |
| Human Machine Interface (HMI)
| Software package that uses a graphical interface to allow an operator to control a machine or operation. |
| Industrial Personal Computer (iPC)
| Computer specifically designed to handle harsh environments but still give all the features of a standard PC. |
| Intelligent Device
| Device that is able to transmit a higher level of information about its condition (i.e., diagnostics), and react to received information in an advanced manner (i.e., change via network command). |
| Limit Switch
| Contact sensors used for detecting the presence or position of objects. |
| Media Access Control Identifier (MAC ID)
| An integer identification value assigned to each node on DeviceNet. This is commonly referred to as either a device MAC ID or Node Address. No two devices on a network may have the same MAC ID assigned to them. |
| NEC
| National Electrical Code. |
| NEMA
| National Electrical Manufacturers Association. |
| Node
| A junction, or a collection point, on a network. It may refer to a single device, i.e., a particular limit switch. A node could also be a group of devices wired to a terminal block of inputs and outputs—a block I/O. |
| ODVA
| Open DeviceNet Vendor Association. ODVA is an independent association made up of hardware and software vendors, and customers, whose purpose is to develop and foster standards for devices, software, and a network for byte level (machine control) communications. |
| Off Delay Logic
| Adjustable delay (after input signal stops) before output is de-energized. |
| On Delay Logic
| Adjustable delay (after onset of input signal) before output is energized. |
| Open Architecture
| Refers to the ability of any vendor to produce products that can communicate freely on a published standard. |
| Photoelectric Sensor
| Non-contact sensor used for detecting the presence or absence of objects. It is turned on or off by the presence or absence of received light. |
| Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
| The PLC is the dominant tool for plant-floor control, monitoring, and sequencing of events involving input devices and output devices. Built around a microprocessor, it is designed specifically for control. |
| Proximity Sensor
| A sensor with the ability to detect the presence of a metal-only target, within a specified range, and without making physical contact. |
| Relay Circuits
| Devices often used in control. Can be opened and closed electronically to complete logic circuits. |
| Sensor
| A sensing element. The basic element that usually changes some physical parameter to an electrical signal. |
| Special Interest Group
| Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formed by two or more members with a common interest or product line, for the purpose of setting and advancing standards. The Open DeviceNet Vendor Association offers numerous SIGs to join. |
| Standard Device
| Device on a network that does not convey advanced information about its status over the network, or react to a received command in an advanced manner. In general terms, other than On/Off, standard devices must be inspected manually and have their status changed manually. |
| Starter
| A control device usually consisting of a contact and overload. With DeviceNet, it will also contain a communication module used for starting and stopping loads. |
| Trunk Line
| The main line of communication for a DeviceNet system. It can be either thick or thin cable. |
| UL-Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc.
| A non-profit organization that establishes, maintains and operates laboratories for the examination and testing of devices, systems and materials, primarily for safety. |
