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Sinking and Sourcing Concepts

When choosing the type of input or
Sinking = provides a path to supply common (-)
output module for your PLC system,
it is very important to have a solid Sourcing = provides a path to supply source (+)
understanding of sinking and sourcing
concepts. Use of these terms occurs Sinking Input Sinking Output
frequently when discussing input or (IEC: positive logic) (IEC: negative logic)
output circuits. It is the goal of this Input Output
Load
section to make these concepts easy to + Input Output +
understand, so one can make the right NPN
_ Sensing Switch _
choice the first time when selecting Common Common
the type of I/O terminations for your
PLC PLC
application. This section provides short
definitions, followed by general example Sourcing Input Sourcing Output
circuits. (IEC: negative logic) (IEC: positive logic)
Common Common
First, you will notice that the diagrams
+ Input Output +
on this page are associated with only PNP
_ Sensing Switch _
DC circuits and not AC, because of Input Output
the reference to (+) and (-) polarities. Load
Therefore, sinking and sourcing terminology PLC PLC
applies only to DC input and output circuits.
Input and output points that are sinking Sink/source I/O circuits combine sinking
or sourcing can conduct current in one and sourcing capabilities. This means S ink/S ource Input
direction only. This means it is possible that the I/O circuitry in the PLC will allow (IE C : pos./neg. logic)
C ommon
to connect the external supply and field current to flow in either direction, as
device to the I/O point, with current shown at the right. The common terminal + -- Input
OR
trying to flow in the wrong direction, and connects to one polarity, and the I/O -- + S ensing
Input
the circuit will not operate. However, the point connects to the other polarity
supply and field device can be connected (through the field device). This provides P LC
every time based on an understanding of flexibility in making connections to your
S ink/S ource Output
sourcing and sinking. field power supply. Please note: (IE C : pos./neg. logic)
The figure below depicts a sinking input. • Wire all I/O points with a shared common C ommon
To properly connect the external supply, as either sinking or sourcing. + --
Output P NP /NP N
it must be connected so the input • Do not use an AC power supply on a DC S witch OR
-- +
provides a path to supply common(-). So, sink/source I/O point. Output
Load
start at the PLC input terminal, follow
P LC
through the input sensing circuit, exit at
the common terminal, and connect the
supply (-) to the common terminal. By
adding the switch between the supply (+)
and the input, the circuit is completed.
Current flows in the direction of the
arrow when the switch is closed.
By applying the circuit principles to the
four possible combinations of input/
Field device examples - 3 wire connections
output sinking/sourcing types, there
are four circuits, as shown above. The NPN (Sinking) PNP (Sourcing)
common terminal is the terminal that Field Device Example Field Device Example
serves as the common return path for all
I/O points in the bank. 24VDC DC Sourcing Input Module 24VDC DC Sinking Input Module
+ – + –

+ Common + Common

P LC
Input
(sinking) Output Optical Optical
Sensor
+
Sensor Isolator Isolator
Input Output Input
Input
S ensing
--
Current Sourcing Current Sinking
Configuration Configuration
C ommon – –
(NPN) Current Sinking (PNP) Current Sourcing
Field Device Field Device

www.automationdirect.com Appendix APX-2

 For the latest prices, please check AutomationDirect.com.
1-800-633-0405

Sinking and Sourcing Concepts

Common Wiring labels
terminals and and how to
how to use them interpret them
In order for a PLC I/O circuit to operate, P LC DL205, DL305, DL405 - Most DL205,
current must enter at one terminal and Field Main P ath DL305 and DL405 input and output
exit at another. This means at least two I/O modules group their I/O points into
Device Circuit
terminals are associated with every I/O (I/O Point) banks that share a common return path.
+
point. In the figure at the right, the input The best indication of I/O common
or output terminal is the main path for -- grouping is on the wiring label, such as
the current. One additional terminal must R eturn P ath
the one shown below. The miniature
provide the return path to the power schematic shows two circuit banks with
supply. Together, the main path and the eight input points in each. The common
return path create a loop, or a complete terminals are labeled “CA” and “CB,”
circuit for current to flow. Input respectively.
If there was unlimited space and budget S ensing In the wiring label example, the positive
Input 1
for I/O terminals, then every I/O point terminal of a DC supply connects to the
could have two dedicated terminals. Input 2 common terminals. Some of the symbols
However, providing this level of flexibility you will see on wiring labels and their
is not practical or even necessary for most Input 3 meanings are shown below.
applications. So, most input or output
points on PLCs are in groups that share DL405 Input
Input 4
the return path (called commons). The Module
figure at the right shows a group (or + AC supply DL405 input
bank) of four input points that share a
12--24VDC INPUT
TB
module shown
common return path. In this way, the four
A B

-- C ommon
0 4 0 4
1 5 1 5

inputs require only five terminals instead

2 6 2 6
3 7 3 7
D4--16ND2

of eight. AC or DC supply 10.2-- 26.4VDC

4-- 12mA

CA

NOTE: Assuming all input circuits have a similar resistance, 4

0

the current at the common terminal is four times greater than 1

5

the current at any one of the inputs. This effect is especially DC supply 2
6

important to note for output circuits, where the current through -- + 3

7

a common terminal can reach several amperes. You will need CB

4

to decide whether to fuse each output point individually, or to 0

Input S witch
5

put a fuse in the common terminal path. 1

6
2
7

Output Load 3

Input B ank (DL05)

Two banks of four inputs and two banks of three outputs (DL05)

I/O C ommon Grouping B ar (DL105)

Two banks of four inputs and one bank of two (DL105)

www.automationdirect.com Appendix APX-3