Electrical and electronic equipment and programmable logic controller

Abstract

The invention relates to a rail-mountable electronic device for mounting on a load rail, for example a top hat rail, of an electrical power distribution installation, wherein the electronic device has a housing which has load rail fastening elements at a load rail fastening side of the housing, by means of which the electronic device can be mounted on the electrical engineering load rail, wherein the electronic device has at least one first receiving location which is accessible from the outside of the housing for releasable plug-in of a first electronic component, wherein the at least one first receiving location has a plurality of component terminals in the form of plug-in contacts for electrically contacting corresponding contacts of the first electronic component accommodated in the at least one first receiving location. Furthermore, the invention relates to a programmable logic controller having at least one such electrical electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rail-mountable electronic device for installation on a support rail, such as a Hutschiene rail, in a power distribution facility. The electronic device has a housing with a support rail fastening element on the support rail fastening side. The electronic device can be mounted on the support rail using the means of the support rail fastening element. The electronic device has at least one first receiving position accessible from the outside of the housing for detachably inserting a first electronic device. The at least one first receiving position has a plurality of device terminals in the form of plug-in contacts for electrically contacting corresponding contacts of the first electronic device received at the at least one first receiving position. Furthermore, this invention relates to a programmable logic controller having at least one such electrical electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Such electronic devices are typically configured to be arranged side-by-side with other electronic devices on a support rail, for example, to implement power distribution facilities. In electrical engineering, electrical and electronic equipment is used for various applications, such as as protective switches, electronic circuit breakers, programmable logic controllers, and, when necessary, connected to or used as rail-mounted terminals. This electronic equipment is secured to a support rail, such as a top-cap rail, by means of its support rail fastening elements and arranged side-by-side for space-saving and clear installation. Here, a particular type of electronic equipment has one or more housing positions for accommodating at least one electronic device as needed, for example, to implement a specific switching function configurable by the user. This electronic device can be, in principle, any electrical and / or electronic device, particularly a relay module or an electrical or electronic circuit. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to further improve such electronic devices and programmable logic controllers.

[0004] The objective is achieved in the type of electrical and electronic equipment mentioned at the beginning by means of a pluggable communication module being plugged into and electrically contacted at a first receiving position, wherein the communication module has at least one communication interface configured for data communication with a device independent of the electronic equipment. Therefore, the first receiving position is advantageously used for plugging into the communication module. The electronic equipment can be extended in a simple manner to enable data communication functionality via the communication module. In particular, a communication module adapted to the desired type of data communication, such as a communication protocol or transmission type, can be selected and plugged into the first receiving position. Because the communication module can also be removed from the first receiving position, the electronic equipment can be converted to another type of communication when needed, for example, by plugging in another communication module, or its overall functionality can be changed, for example, by plugging in a completely different type of electronic device at the first receiving position.

[0005] This simple scalability of standard electronic devices allows for the expansion of their applicability with low cost, for example, for implementing minimally designed automation systems. This enables, in particular, the implementation of small automation systems with wireless connectivity in a particularly simple manner.

[0006] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, at least one communication interface of the communication module includes a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface. Thus, the electronic device can be flexibly adapted to different data communication requirements. The communication module may have one or more communication interfaces, such as one or more wireless communication interfaces, one or more wired communication interfaces, or combinations thereof. Such wireless communication interfaces may be configured as, for example, WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, NFC, UMTS, GSM, or other radio interfaces. Such wired communication interfaces may be configured as, for example, a USB interface or other serial interfaces, or as a parallel interface.

[0007] The electronic device can be configured to perform data communication via the communication interface of the communication module, through which valid data and / or configuration data are transmitted from the electronic device to a separate device or from a separate device to the electronic device. The separate device can be an electronic device adjacent to the electronic device and also secured to the support rail, or other separate devices.

[0008] The communication module may have a housing that contains components of the communication module, particularly the communication interface.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the communication module is constructed identically to the basic relay in terms of its housing bottom surface and / or its electrical contacts, the basic relay being pluggable into a first receiving position. Correspondingly, the communication module can be selectively designed to be compatible with the basic relay in terms of its housing shape, particularly the housing bottom surface, and / or its electrical contacts. Here, the relay module is considered as the basic relay, possessing only purely electromechanical relay functionality.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the communication module has at least one mechanical and / or electrical coding element, by which the communication module is distinguished from a basic relay configured for connection in a first receiving position. One or more such coding elements provide safety by preventing the erroneous insertion of an unsuitable communication module into the first receiving position. This establishes a certain degree of error protection in a simple manner. The mechanical coding element may, for example, be the number, size, and location of the electrical contacts of the communication module, and / or the dimensions of the housing, particularly the dimensions of the bottom surface of the housing, and other housing features, such as guide slots.

[0011] Correspondingly, this communication module will not be accidentally plugged into an unsuitable first receiving position that is only suitable for basic relays.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the invention, an electronic device, together with at least one of its communication modules, constitutes a communication gateway for a programmable logic controller (PLC). In this way, the electronic device can function as a gateway for data communication between components of the PLC, such as other adjacent electronic devices, and a higher-level control device, such as a control PC. The electronic device can, for example, be used as a bidirectional communication gateway.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the invention, a circuit board is disposed within a housing, and electrical and / or electronic devices are disposed on the circuit board. For example, devices that can be controlled by a communication module and / or can transmit data to the communication module may be disposed on the circuit board.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the invention, an electronic device has multiple wire clamping connectors, at which at least one electrical wire can be clamped, depending on the user's choice. This allows for simple and quick wiring connection to the electronic device. The wire clamping connectors can be configured, for example, as spring-loaded clamping connectors, in which the wires are clamped by means of a spring force.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the invention, an electronic device has a triggering mechanism for performing a triggering process of a first electronic device inserted into a first receiving position. The triggering mechanism has a triggering press having an actuating surface for manipulating the triggering press. During the triggering process achieved by manipulating the actuating surface, the first electronic device can be at least partially disengaged from the first receiving position by a force applied by the triggering press. This allows the user to easily and ergonomically remove the first electronic device inserted into the first receiving position. Here, both the first electronic device and the first receiving position are protected.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the electronic device has at least one second receiving location accessible from the outside of the housing for detachably receiving a second electronic device, said at least one second receiving location having a plurality of device terminals for electrically contacting corresponding contacts of the second electronic device received at the at least one second receiving location. In this way, the electronic device can be configured more universally and flexibly by the user, for example, configured as a small automated system with radio connectivity.

[0017] The aforementioned objective is also achieved through a programmable logic controller (PLC) having at least one electrical electronic device of the type previously described, wherein the electrical electronic device forms a communication gateway for the PLC, via which the PLC can perform data communication with devices not belonging to the PLC. A highly simplified PLC can be provided with low cost through the electrical electronic device according to the invention, which has the feasibility of connecting a communication module. The electrical electronic device with a pluggable communication module can, for example, form such a PLC independently, to which external sensors and / or actuators can be connected.

[0018] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the programmable logic controller is formed by electrical and electronic equipment of the type previously described and by additional electronic equipment, which are arranged side by side with the electronic equipment of the type previously described on a carrier rail.

[0019] In the context of this invention, the indefinite term "a" should not be understood as a numeral. Therefore, if, for example, a component is referred to, it should be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component." As long as the angle is described in degrees, the angle description refers to a circle of 360 degrees (360º). Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings show...

[0021] Figure 1 Electrical and electronic equipment is shown in a three-dimensional view.

[0022] Figure 2 Electronic components are shown in a three-dimensional view.

[0023] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 Circuit diagrams of electronic devices,

[0024] Figure 4 The communication module is shown in a 3D view.

[0025] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the communication module is shown in a perspective view.

[0026] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the basis for a communication module with plug-in connectors. Figure 1 electronic devices,

[0027] Figure 7 Another embodiment of an electronic device with a communication module is shown.

[0028] Figure 8 This illustrates an electronic device with a communication module and electronic components.

[0029] Figure 9 Another embodiment of an electronic device with a communication module is shown.

[0030] Figure 10 The programmable logic controller in the first embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 11 The programmable logic controller in the second embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 12 The programmable logic controller in the third embodiment is shown.

[0033] Figure 13 The programmable logic controller in the fourth embodiment is shown.

[0034] Figure 14 The programmable logic controller in the fifth embodiment is shown.

[0035] Figure 15 The programmable logic controller in the sixth embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0036] exist Figure 1The electrical and electronic equipment shown can be configured as a relay module, for example. The electronic device 1 has a housing 2, which can be substantially cuboid in shape. The housing 2 has a support rail fastening element 3 at a support rail fastening side 20, by means of which the electronic device 1 can be mounted on an electrical support rail, for example, by means of a support rail fastening element where the electronic device is locked. The housing 2 has a front side 21 on a side directly opposite to the support rail fastening side 20. The housing 2 has a first side side 22 and a second side side 23 opposite to the first side side 22. The first side side 22 connects the front side 23 to the support rail fastening side 20. The second side side 23 connects the front side 23 to the support rail fastening side 20. The housing 2 has a lower side 25 and an upper side 24 opposite to the lower side 25. The upper side 24 connects the front side 23 to the support rail fastening side 20 and connects the first side side 22 to the second side side 23. The lower side 25 connects the front side 23 to the bearing rail fastening side 20 and connects the first side 22 to the second side 23.

[0037] The electronic device 1 has a plurality of wire clamping connectors 7 accessible at the front side 21, for example, wire clamping connectors in the form of spring-loaded clamping connectors, which are disposed in the housing 2 and can be fitted with wires via wire introduction openings provided at the front side 21. Operating elements and / or indicating elements 18, such as light-emitting elements, of the electronic device 1 may be additionally provided at the front side 21.

[0038] Electronic device 1 has a first receiving position 41 accessible at its upper side 24 for detachably receiving a first electronic device 51. The first receiving position 41 has a plurality of device terminals 43 configured for electrically contacting corresponding contacts 53 of the first electronic device 51.

[0039] Electronic device 1 has a second receiving position 42 accessible at its upper side 24 for detachably receiving a second electronic device 52. The second receiving position 42 has a plurality of device terminals 43 configured for electrically contacting corresponding contacts 53 of the second electronic device 52.

[0040] Furthermore, the electronic device 1 may have an ejection mechanism via which the first electronic device 51 and / or the second electronic device 52 can be disengaged from their respective receiving positions 41, 42. The ejection mechanism may be operated by a user, for example, by means of an operating element accessible at the front side 21.

[0041] Electronic device 1 may also be configured to have only a first receiving position 41, that is, without a second receiving position 42.

[0042] exist Figure 2The diagram shows a first electronic device 51 in the form of a basic relay. The electronic device 51 has a housing 54, for example, that is substantially cuboid in shape. A first receiving position 41 may have a corresponding receiving profile that is substantially formed as a mating part of the outer profile of the housing 54, for example, formed as a groove-shaped recess at the upper side 24 of the housing 2.

[0043] Figure 3 The internal circuitry of an electronic device 51 in the form of a basic relay is shown. The basic relay has an excitation circuit with two control terminals A and B leading to a contact 53. The basic relay can be operated by energizing the control terminals A and B to switch the basic relay's toggle switch. The toggle switch includes a switching contact leading to a load terminal D. Furthermore, the toggle switch includes a working contact connected to a load terminal C and a stationary contact connected to a load terminal E.

[0044] Figure 4 An embodiment of a communication module 61 designed as a first electronic device is shown. The communication module 61 may, for example, have the same housing 64 as the electronic device 51, or at least one identical housing bottom surface, where a contact portion 63 is provided. The contact portion 63 may be located at the same position as the contact portion 53 in the electronic device 51. The communication module 61 has a communication interface 62 for data communication, such as a radio interface for wireless data communication.

[0045] Figure 5 One embodiment of the communication module 61 is shown, which can communicate with... Figure 4 The communication module 61 is designed in a basically the same way. Figure 4 Different, according to Figure 5 The communication module 61 has a wired communication interface 62, which may, for example, have a plug connector for inserting a mating plug connector 10 for connecting cables.

[0046] Figure 6 An electrical electronic device 1 is shown, which can be used with... Figure 1 The electronic device 1 shown is substantially the same in construction, except that it has a first receiving position 41. A communication module 61 is inserted into the first receiving position 41, the communication module being able to, for example, [receive information based on...]. Figure 4 or Figure 5Configuration. The contact 63 of the communication module 61, compatible with the first electronic device 51, is connected to the device terminal 43, which is connected to the wire clamping connector 7 at the front side 21 via a line 4 laid within the housing 2. For example, the uppermost wire clamping connector 7 is configured as a ground connection, the (second) wire clamping connector 7 below it is configured as a voltage supply terminal, and the wire clamping connector 7 further below it is configured as any switching contact to be connected.

[0047] Figure 7 One embodiment of the electrical electronic device 1 is shown, which is substantially as described in [the original text]. Figure 6 It is constructed like an electronic device. Figure 6 In the middle, the three wire clamping connectors 7 at the bottom can be switched, for example, via electrical switching contacts, as in a mechanical relay, while... Figure 7 The embodiment shows a variant in which the two lower wire clamping connectors 7 are connected to the communication module 61 via an optical connection achieved through an optocoupler 5, thereby achieving electrical isolation. The communication module 61 can, for example, control the light source of the optocoupler 5. Thus, the lower wire clamping connectors 7 can be switched via the switching output of the optocoupler 5.

[0048] Figure 8 An embodiment of electrical and electronic equipment 1 is shown, the electrical and electronic equipment as described in... Figure 1 The device has a first receiving position 41 and a second receiving position 42, as described above. A communication module 61 is inserted into the first receiving position 41. A basic relay is inserted into the second receiving position 42 as a second electronic device 52. The communication module 61 is connected to the grounding terminal and the voltage supply terminal of the wire clamping connector 7 via a line 4 laid in the housing 2. The communication module 61 is connected to the control terminals A and B of the basic relay 52 via two lines 5, allowing the basic relay 52 to be switched via the communication module 61. The load terminals C, D, and E of the basic relay 52 are connected to another wire clamping connector 7 located at the front side 21 via lines 6.

[0049] Figure 9An embodiment of an electrical and electronic device 1 is shown, which further includes a communication module 61 at a first receiving position 41. A circuit arrangement is provided in a housing 2, including, for example, a microcontroller 27 and a switching element 8, such as a switching transistor. The switching element 8 can be switched by the microcontroller 27. The output of the switching element 8 is connected to a wire clamping connector 7 that guides the supply voltage and another idle wire clamping connector 7, such as the lowermost wire clamping connector 7. The communication module 61 is connected to the microcontroller 27 via a communication line 29, such as a serial or parallel interface, provided in the housing 2. The communication module 61 can authorize the microcontroller 27 to either turn the switching element 8 on or off via the communication line 29. In this way, the switching element 8 can be switched by transmitting data signals via the communication interface 62 of the communication module 61, thereby allowing the operation or monitoring of relay modules, optocouplers, measurement transducers, and electronic fuses, for example, via a radio interface and / or a wired interface. This enables, for example, a simple construction of a miniature fieldbus node with three to six channels.

[0050] Additionally, the microcontroller 7 can be configured to monitor the current through the switching element 8 and turn off the switching element 8 when it reaches or exceeds at least one limit value. This enables ECB functionality.

[0051] In another Figures 10 to 15 The front view, i.e., the view from the front side 21, shows electronic device 1 and other devices shown, which are arranged side by side and secured to the support rail. Figures 10 to 14 On the left side, an electrical electronic device 1 of the type previously described is provided, wherein a communication module 61 is inserted into a first receiving position 41. On the right side of the electronic device 1, other electronic devices 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 may be provided, such as those described above. Figure 1 As described in the description, that is, the additional electronic device is not equipped with the communication module 61. A basic relay 51 can be plugged into its first receiving position 41, for example. One, more, or all electronic devices 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 may also be configured without the first receiving position 41, for example in the case of a measurement transducer.

[0052] exist Figure 10As can be seen, the three wire clamping connectors 7 at the bottom of electronic device 1 are connected via external electrical wires 4 to the wire clamping connectors 7 of one of the adjacent electronic devices 11, 12, and 13, for example, to wire clamping connectors that are connected to the control terminals B of the corresponding basic relays plugged into electronic devices 11, 12, and 13. Specific wire clamping connectors 7 can be connected to each other via bridging connectors 9 across multiple or all electronic devices 1, 11, 12, and 13. The uppermost wire clamping connectors 7 of all electronic devices 1, 11, 12, and 13 can be connected to each other, for example, via bridging connectors 9, so that the ground terminals are bridged across all electronic devices. Thus, control of the basic relays at electronic devices 11, 12, and 13 can be performed via communication interface 62 through communication module 61 of electronic device 1. In this way, three digital channels controllable via communication module 61 can be configured through electronic devices 11, 12, and 13. Alternatively, optocoupler modules can be plugged into electronic devices 11, 12, and 13, which have a switching function similar to that of the basic relay.

[0053] Electronic devices 1, 11, 12, and 13 can be constructed identically in terms of their housing dimensions, particularly having the same housing width. It is also feasible to provide a system of electronic devices that have different housing widths, such as electronic devices with widths of 6 mm and 15 mm. Figure 10 In one implementation, for example, an arrangement of four electronic devices 1, 11, 12, and 13 may be used, all of which have narrow housings.

[0054] Figure 11 This illustration shows an embodiment of a device arrangement having electronic devices 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, which have different housing widths. For example, an electronic device 1 with a communication module 61 according to the invention is used, which has a large housing width. Three electronic devices 14, 15, and 16, also having large housing widths, are arranged to its right. Immediately following to its right are three electronic devices 11, 12, and 13, with smaller housing widths, as shown in the illustration. Figure 10 As described, these electronic devices can be interconnected via the external line 4 shown, allowing switching of corresponding basic relay or optocoupler modules plugged into electronic devices 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 via the communication module 61 in electronic device 1. It can be seen that electronic devices 1, 14, 15, and 16, with their larger housing widths, can also have a greater number of wire clamping connectors 7, which can, for example, be arranged in two rows side-by-side on the front side 21. In this way, for example, control and operation can be performed via electronic device 1 according to... Figure 10Compared to the narrower structure, it has significantly more basic relays or optocoupler modules.

[0055] Figure 12 An embodiment of the arrangement of electronic devices 1, 11, 12, and 13 is shown, the arrangement corresponding to the housing width. Figure 10 The analog output terminals of electronic devices 11, 12, and 13 are connected to the corresponding input terminals of electronic device 1 via external lines 4. Thus, electronic device 1 can receive three different analog input signals, such as signals from three measurement transducers. The received signals can be transmitted from electronic device 1 to another device via its communication module 61.

[0056] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the configuration of electronic devices 1, 14, 15, and 16, which have a large housing width and are connected via external line 4. This allows electronic device 1 to record a total of six input signals, such as digital or analog input signals, from electronic devices 14, 15, and 16. These received signals can then be transmitted from electronic device 1 to other devices via its communication module 61.

[0057] Figure 14 The invention illustrates the application of an electronic device 1 with a communication module 61 as a wireless gateway for a three-phase energy meter 17. Here, the wire clamping connector 7 of the electronic device 1 can be connected to the data transmission line of the energy meter 17 via an external line 4. Thus, data exchange between the energy meter 17 and the electronic device 1 or its communication module 61 can be performed, for example, via an RS485 interface, where the MODBUS-RTU protocol can be used, for example.

[0058] Figure 15 The feasibility of the electronic device 1 according to the invention is illustrated here in an embodiment with a wider housing, allowing for the use of more wire clamping connectors 7. Here, the wire clamping connectors 7 of the electronic device can be connected, for example, to an actuator 30, such as an actuator with an analog input, and to a sensor 31, such as a sensor with an analog output. Additional wire clamping connectors 7 can be connected to a sensor 32, which has an IO-Link interface via which bidirectional data communication can be performed between the sensor 32 and the electronic device 1.

[0059] List of reference numerals

[0060] 1 electronic device

[0061] 2 shells

[0062] 3. Bearing rail fastening elements

[0063] 4 wires

[0064] 5 Optocouplers

[0065] 6 lines

[0066] 7. Wire clamp connector

[0067] 8 Switching Elements

[0068] 9 Bridging components

[0069] 10 mating connectors

[0070] 12 electronic devices

[0071] 13 electronic devices

[0072] 14 electronic devices

[0073] 15 electronic devices

[0074] 16 electronic devices

[0075] 17 Electricity Meters

[0076] 18 indicating elements

[0077] 20 bearing rail fastening side

[0078] 21 front side

[0079] 22 First side view

[0080] 23 Second side view

[0081] 24 upper side

[0082] 25 lower side

[0083] 27 microcontrollers

[0084] 29 communication lines

[0085] 30 actuators

[0086] 31 sensors

[0087] 32 sensors

[0088] 41 First Accommodation Position

[0089] 42 Second Accommodation Position

[0090] 43 Device Terminals

[0091] 51 First Electronic Devices

[0092] 52 Second Electronic Device

[0093] 53 Contact Department

[0094] 54 housing

[0095] 61 Communication Module

[0096] 62 communication interfaces

[0097] 63 Contact Department

[0098] 64 housing

[0099] A control terminal

[0100] B control terminal

[0101] C load terminal

[0102] D load terminal

[0103] E load terminal

Claims

1. A rail-mountable electronic device (1), the electronic device (1) having a housing (2), the housing having a rail fastening element (3) at a rail fastening side (20) of the housing (2), the electronic device (1) being able to be mounted on a rail by means of the rail fastening element. The electronic device (1) has at least one first receiving position (41) accessible from the outside of the housing (2), the at least one first receiving position (41) for detachably inserting a first electronic device and having a plurality of device terminals (43) in the form of plug-in contacts, the plurality of device terminals for electrically contacting corresponding contacts of the first electronic device received at the at least one first receiving position (41). Its features are, A pluggable communication module (61) is plugged in at the first receiving position (41) and makes electrical contact with the device terminal (43). The communication module (61) has at least one communication interface (62) configured for data communication with a device independent of the electronic device (1).

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one communication interface (62) of the communication module (61) includes a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface.

3. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The communication module (61) is constructed in the same manner as the basic relay in terms of its housing bottom surface and / or its electrical contacts (63), which can be plugged into the first receiving position (41).

4. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The communication module (61) has at least one mechanical and / or electrical encoding element, by which the communication module (61) is distinguished from the basic relay configured for connection at the first receiving position (41).

5. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electronic device (1), together with at least one of the communication modules (61), constitutes a communication gateway for a programmable logic controller.

6. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A circuit board is provided in the housing (2), and electrical and / or electronic devices (5, 8, 27) are provided on the circuit board.

7. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electronic device (1) has multiple wire clamping connectors (7), which can clamp at least one electrical wire at a time, depending on the user's choice.

8. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electronic device (1) has a triggering device for performing a triggering process of a first electronic device inserted into the first receiving position (41), the triggering device having a triggering press having an operating surface for manipulating the triggering press, wherein the first electronic device can be at least partially disengaged from the first receiving position (41) by force applied to the first electronic device by the triggering press during the triggering process achieved by manipulating the operating surface.

9. The electronic device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electronic device (1) has at least one second receiving position (42) accessible from the outside of the housing (2), the at least one second receiving position being for detachably receiving a second electronic device and having a plurality of device terminals for electrically contacting corresponding contacts of the second electronic device received at the at least one second receiving position (42).

10. A programmable logic controller having at least one electronic device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the electronic device (1) forming a communication gateway for the programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller being able to perform data communication with devices not belonging to the programmable logic controller via the communication gateway.

11. The programmable logic controller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The programmable logic controller is formed by an electronic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The programmable logic controller according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The programmable logic controller is formed by an electronic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and by additional electronic devices (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) arranged side by side with the electronic device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 on a carrier rail.

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