Raspberry Pi vs PLC for Industrial Lighting Automation R&D Project

Maker, DIY
1

We’re currently evaluating microcomputer options for an R&D project focused on scheduled lighting automation using a real-time clock timer.
We are considering two approaches:

  1. A Raspberry Pi Compute Module (Part#: 2648-RASPBERRYPICOMPUTEMODULE-ND), or
  2. An industrial-grade PLC, such as the Panasonic AFP0RC16CT (Part#: 1110-3183-ND).

Given the need for long-term reliability in an industrial environment, we’re seeking advice on which option would be better for us:
• Would the Raspberry Pi Compute Module be appropriate for this kind of industrial application?
• If a PLC would be a more robust or standards-compliant solution? And if so, could you recommend some robust PLC options?

2

Ball-Park, how many individual lights (or controllable zones) are you looking at with this product? Does the board need to be fully industrial? Are you planning WiFI and/or/else Ethernet?

Regards,

1 Like
4

Only 1 individual light, and the board does need to be fully industrial. We’re plaining on adding a GPS module to automatically sync the real-time clock timer and using Bluetooth to control the light’s schedule. No WiFI or Ethernet.

5

For a single light, have you looked at Espressif (esp32/etc) or Raspberry Pi pico (RP2040/RP2350) devices?

There’s a whole open source stack ( esphome https://esphome.io/ ) to control Lighting with built control (thru web or home-assisant)…

Regards,

1 Like
6

Thanks, will check those out.