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Author Topic: Quad Level Shifter boards - Prox sensor  (Read 730 times)

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Offline MN300

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Quad Level Shifter boards - Prox sensor
« on: September 01, 2020, 11:22:15 AM »
There have been several posts about connecting 12V proximity sensors with built in pull-up to break out boards (BOB). Those solutions usually involve adding a couple of discrete components for each input leaving the user with the problem of how to mount them. This device provides the necessary circuitry on a ready made board.

There are a number of sources for a quad level shifter board based on the BSS138 MOSFET. They are made for Arduinos and similar systems but should work well for interfacing  BOB inputs to higher voltage systems.

The low voltage side (LV)  can work with the 5V logic levels common to CNC equipment. The high voltage side (HV)can accept up to 24V. Actually the BSS138 is rated for 50V max but we should allow a wide margin of safety.
This device works with active low logic inputs. The BOB inputs may not be setup with a pull down resistor.

 The BSS138 level shifter is bi-directional. A low level signal on either side is transfered to the other. I am suggesting this device be used for input to a BOB but it could be used in limited cases for output. The problem is that the high side output current may not exceed the BOB's  output current. You would have to research the allowable BOB output current and ensure it's greater than the load by a reasonable margin.

Connect the BOB's 5V and ground to the LV and GND terminals. Terminals LV1 to LV4 connect to your BOB board IO.
Connect the high voltage side power to HV and ground to GND. NOTE: this device does not isolate the grounds like an opto board. Terminals HV1 to HV4 will accept signals from NPN prox switches. It's OK if they have their own pull-up to their power supply voltage. You can also use limit switches to ground as the BSS138 board has its own pull-up resistors. While switches and open collector outputs do work directly connected to the BOB this could be useful where you have a mix of input types and want to protect again accidental connection to a high voltage input.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12009

Offline MN300

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Re: Quad Level Shifter boards - Prox sensor
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2020, 05:43:33 PM »
Some users may want to add screw terminals to the BSS138 level shifter board.

Disclaimer: I ran across the level shifter  board while researching parts for a non-CNC project and have not used it myself. Pictures on the website show the board with header connectors added and plugged into a standard breadboard which would have 0.1" spacing.

I searched for a terminal strip to match that spacing and found this terminal strip at Digi-Key. Other vendors have similar terminals.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/on-shore-technology-inc/OSTVN06A150/ED10565-ND/1588866

More expensive version from Farnell
https://uk.farnell.com/phoenix-contact/1725698/terminal-block-wire-to-brd-6pos/dp/3041426

 I can't judge the distance from the mounting holes to the resistors so they may or may not fit on the top of the board but should fit on the bottom.