Control.com - Nerds in Control

Hello,

I'm using Horner's PLC (XLE family) and today, I saw another PLC (brand: Imo), which is exactly the same as the Horner (Shape, pixels, objects, system menu, but not the colors).

Idem for the Programming Software (Cscape vs I3).

So I wonder if these products (PLC + software) are made by a generic manufacturer.

What do I gain when I buy this same product from another seller?

I don't know about the Horner PLC, but quite a few of the items in Siemens' and AB's catalogues are relabelled third party products. What you gain by dealing with a specific brand are their distribution network and their service and warranty systems. These can be in many cases important considerations.

On the negative side, "support" for products they don't make themselves may not be as good. They also may replace the third party product line at any time with an incompatible one from another manufacturer because they got a better price.

You have to judge significance of the above in light of your own particular circumstances.

My guess would be, not much. GE's backplaneless small PLC is also identical to others around. Horner seems to be competing on price and merit, a novel concept in this arena. I have resolved to try their "all in one" next time I need a few points and a display. At one time TI, GE and Siemens had identical products from Koyo. The advantage of buying from Horner/GE is support and probably better programming tools. I've been looking at "programmable relays" the last few days and these seem to share a common ancestry, but GE has the lowest "one shot" cost for a starter kit. I think Crouzet may be the parent, but their one time use cost is way out of line with spendy software. Koyo would be the most generic I know of, just about everyone has private labeled their stuff. It's now under (over?) Automation Direct.

Regards

cww

Hello,

Thanks for the answers.
I'll take a look at the brand cited above.