LEDs with PLCs for Aesthetics

[am1]

Hi all,

I have a project that requires me to add some LED underlighting to my device (device uses a B&R X20 system). The lighting will need to be my synced with the HMI screen (lights turn on/off when HMI wakes/sleeps respectively). It will also potentially be integrated further with the controls in the future to the flash when certain device conditions are true. I will need either long strip leds to wrap under my device or something bright enough to illuminate from under. I have an X20DS438A module that has a digital output of 24V @ 0.25A that I hope do use for the lights. All this being said, are there any lighting options anyone has worked with or would recommend for this kind of application? Not sure where to start looking as I need purely aesthetic lighting and not the standard industrial PLC type leds. Thanks in advance!

[Buriedcode]

Are you after different colours?  Because if its just one colour, and you require on/off and perhaps coarse brightness control, then it gets a lot easier.  A 12V LED driver with dimmer input should work - that dimmer input could be controlled by the HMI screen wake/sleep signal, and for any other controls.

[ajb]

Even if multiple colors are required, something like a strip of RGB LED tape can easily be controlled by PLC outputs, with or without PWM.  You might need more than 0.25A, but an SSR can solve that.  There are systems of aluminum channel and snap-in lenses you can cut to length and then install the tape into for protection/diffusion/aesthetics if needed (example).  There are also plenty of ready-made rigid LED strip lights, though fewer in RGB. 

If you need dimming and can't or don't want to use PWM, there are LED drivers with analog dimming inputs -- often 0-10V, but some at lower voltages -- for both constant voltage and constant current drivers.