Remote and Distributed IO

Remote and distributed I/O extends a controller's input and output capacity beyond the CPU rack, placing modules out at the field devices and linking them back over a fieldbus or industrial Ethernet network. The payoff is shorter field wiring runs, fewer home-run cables into the main panel, and channel counts that scale without swapping the controller. Automation Distribution carries remote and distributed I/O from Horner Automation and Yaskawa, spanning CsCAN fieldbus modules, Ethernet I/O bases, IO-Link masters, and specialty analog and counter modules.

Choose by Network

CsCAN fieldbus. Horner's OCS-I/O modular system builds off a CsCAN base such as the HE959CNX100, which carries no built-in I/O and accepts up to 7 modules per base. For compact distributed points, Micro I/O modules (HE179 series) drop directly onto the CAN bus with fixed or selectable CAN ID. Both tie back to OCS controllers and Cscape without a separate gateway.

Industrial Ethernet. The SmartRail HE599ETX250 base speaks Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP with a built-in unmanaged switch, and supports up to 8 modules for 256 digital and 32 analog I/O per base. Use it to bring distributed I/O onto any PLC that already runs those protocols.

IO-Link. The HE-IOLINK4CHRTU and HE-IOLINK2CHRTU RTU masters connect IO-Link smart sensors and actuators, pulling process values and device diagnostics back over the network instead of running discrete wiring to each point.

Yaskawa distributed I/O. Yaskawa modules extend distributed input and output for Yaskawa machine controllers, keeping I/O close to the axis or process it serves.

Specialty Modules

Beyond standard digital in/out, the OCS-I/O line covers analog and application-specific channels: high-speed counter modules (8 inputs / 4 outputs), 8-channel 10k thermistor inputs, isolated relay outputs, and mixed analog modules. Match the module to the signal type rather than forcing everything onto general-purpose digital points.

Specifying Remote and Distributed I/O

  • Match the network to the controller: CsCAN for OCS and Cscape systems, Modbus TCP or EtherNet/IP for standard PLC platforms, IO-Link for smart-device data.
  • Count digital versus analog channels separately and confirm the base has capacity for both.
  • Set the CAN ID scheme (fixed or selectable) before mixing modules on one bus to avoid address conflicts.
  • Check current draw per base against the 5VDC backplane budget when loading a base near its module limit.
  • Confirm the module's I/O type matches the field signal: relay versus solid-state outputs, sinking versus sourcing inputs, and the correct analog range.

Automation Distribution is an authorized distributor for Horner Automation and Yaskawa. If you need help matching a base and module set to your controller and protocol, our automation team can size the system and confirm compatibility before you order.