Introduction (FAC2100)

Introduction

The Fairmount Automation Controller Series, Model 2100 (FAC-2100) is a general-purpose, highly configurable, multi-loop process controller. Its aluminum-steel construction makes the controller extremely rugged---it is specifically designed for operation in environments susceptible to extreme temperature, humidity, shock, and/or vibration. The FAC-2100 is the replacement for Fairmount Automation's older FAC-2000 modules.

The FAC-2100 digital process controller is equipped with a large array of I/O capabilities. It combines the analog functionality of a standard process controller with the digital functionality normally associated with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). In its standard configuration, the FAC-2100 has three analog inputs, two analog outputs, two universal digital inputs, eight standard digital inputs, two digital outputs, four form-C relays and two solid state relays.

The digital technology used to build the FAC-2100, in combination with Fairmount Automation's Design Pad software package, makes the FAC-2100 extremely easy to program and very versatile. Programming the device entails "drawing" a desired control scheme using a vast array of operator functions. These operator functions are wired together to indicate the signal flows from device inputs to device outputs. After the design is done, Design Pad offers the ability to simulate the control scheme and model a process, graph any signal in the circuit, and interact with a computer-generated FAC-2100 front panel and manipulate device inputs.

This instruction bulletin provides detailed descriptions and illustrative examples on how to operate and install the FAC-2100 controller. For information on how to program the FAC-2100, see the Design Pad G4 instructional bulletin (Fairmount Automation Technical Bulletin PDG-TR-2011/12).