Any idea what this bit of electronics might be for? Alerton TX-450.

[Nick]

I found this in the control panel of a standby generator that I purchased recently. Alerton TX-450 Rev 2. A not very good pic may be seen here:

I doubt that I would ever have a use for it. I'm intrigued to know what it is and what it does. I think it is a controller of some kind. It will be about 15 years old. I have spent some time googling but can't find much info. Came across a 130 page manual which I flicked through, not even sure if this relates to the same gadget. Thanks, Nick.

[Andy Burns]

It's a PLC (programmable logic controller) essentially a low level computer that monitors inputs and controls outputs based on relatively simple conditions. They often sit on a serial "bus" to talk to other PLCs or a larger computer system ...

[Nick]

Thank you Andy. I'm none the wiser as I know nothing of this stuff. There's nothing I can use it for so it's either in the bin or on ebay for 99p. Then probably in the bin. Nick.

[Brian Gaff]

Cannot see it but there are devices about to attempt to synchronise the device with normal mains supplies hertz wise so to speak, also of course some emergency generators are wired to sense the mains being there and switch on and off the generator. Brian

[The Natural Philosopher]

In educated guess is an array of solid state relays to control or power recycle something controlled with a digital serial interface on the COM channels.

[mick]

It replaces a load of relays, timers etc. and is probably intended to handle the generator as part of an auto-start system, possibly as part of an auto-changeover system as well. It's powered from 24vAC.

It can be attached to other units using suitable connections. Each unit has an address, set using the switches 1-6.

From a control point of view it has 4 low voltage analogue inputs and 5 low voltage outputs (which I think are also analogue).

These devices are programmed for a particular job, yours won't be suitable for anything else unless someone can reprogram it for their own use. The chances are that the software in yours won't suit any other purpose. They are also used in heating & vent systems, where they handle jobs like remote temperature control.