GIC Genie PRO Compact PLC Range | Charter Controls

GIC Genie PRO Compact PLC Range

GIC Genie PRO combines the compact format associated with a programmable relay or smart relay PLC with the networking and expansion expected from a modern compact PLC. Every current base controller listed by Charter Controls includes Ethernet for programming and network integration, while the wider range provides digital, analogue and temperature expansion for compact machines, pumps, HVAC panels, conveyors, dosing systems and local process control.

What is the GIC Genie PRO?

GIC Genie PRO is a compact programmable logic controller manufactured by General Industrial Controls and supplied in the UK by Charter Controls. It is intended for relatively small machine and panel applications that need programmable sequencing, Ethernet communications and scalable I/O without moving immediately to a larger PLC architecture.

Charter Controls categorises the range within its expandable smart-relay products and describes individual units as smart relay PLCs. For engineering specification, compact PLC is the clearest primary description of the current range because Genie PRO provides Ethernet, Modbus TCP client/server operation, web-server connectivity, expandable I/O and Ladder or Function Block Diagram programming through Genie Pro Soft.

Compact PLC control with Ethernet built in

Every current Genie PRO base controller published by Charter Controls includes an Ethernet interface. This provides a direct route for programming, online monitoring and Modbus TCP communications without adding an Ethernet communication module.

Ethernet and Modbus TCP

Genie PRO base modules support Modbus TCP server and client operation. This makes the controller suitable for exchanging application data with compatible HMIs, supervisory systems and other Modbus TCP devices. Project-specific register maps, device roles and network settings must still be checked during integration.

Expandable I/O up to 60 points

The published Genie PRO system limit is 60 I/O, comprising up to 24 digital inputs, 20 digital outputs, 8 analogue inputs and 8 analogue outputs. Up to 12 expansion modules can be fitted, subject to the overall I/O limits and module compatibility.

Relay and transistor output versions

Relay-output base controllers are available for 110 to 240 V AC/DC, 24 V AC/DC and 12 to 24 V DC control supplies. The 24 V DC range also includes current-sinking and current-sourcing transistor-output controllers where solid-state switching or PWM operation is required.

High-speed inputs and PWM on applicable DC models

GP124DRL, GP124DRB and the GP024DTL and GP024DTH transistor base families provide four high-speed inputs rated up to 5 kHz. The transistor-output GP024DTL and GP024DTH models additionally support PWM outputs up to 2 kHz. These functions are model-specific and are not available on every Genie PRO base controller.

Analogue and RTD expansion

Applicable DC base models provide four analogue-capable 0 to 10 V inputs. Where the application requires dedicated current-loop or temperature inputs, the expansion range includes GP124DM20E for two analogue inputs and GP124DH20E for two PT100/PT1000 RTD inputs. GP024DQ02E adds two analogue outputs for 0 to 10 V, 0 to 20 mA or 4 to 20 mA signals.

Programming with Genie Pro Soft

Genie PRO is programmed using Genie Pro Soft, with Ladder Diagram and Function Block Diagram programming supported. Current product information also identifies Ethernet programming and online monitoring. The programming environment is suited to sequencing, timing, counting, comparison, analogue processing and other compact machine and panel control tasks.

Choose the right Genie PRO controller

Start with the available control supply, then select the required display, output technology, high-speed input capability and PWM requirement. Once the base controller is selected, calculate the digital, analogue and temperature I/O required before selecting expansion modules.

110 to 240 V AC/DC relay-output controllers

24 V AC/DC relay-output controllers

12 to 24 V DC relay-output controllers with high-speed inputs

24 V DC transistor-output controllers

Genie PRO expansion modules and accessories

Genie PRO can be expanded with relay, transistor, analogue and RTD modules. Select the module supply and signal type to match the chosen controller and field devices while keeping the complete system inside the published I/O limits.

Relay-output digital expansion modules

Transistor-output digital expansion modules

Analogue and temperature expansion modules

RS485 communications

GPADCP is the current Charter Controls Genie PRO biased RS485 communication accessory. It provides a two-wire RS485 interface and supports Modbus RTU slave communication. Serial settings, device roles, register addressing and network termination should be checked against the complete system design.

Program with Genie Pro Soft

Genie Pro Soft is the programming environment for the GIC Genie PRO compact PLC range. Current product information supports Ladder Diagram and Function Block Diagram programming, giving panel builders and machine engineers a graphical environment for digital logic, timing, sequencing and analogue control functions.

The built-in Ethernet interface allows programming and online monitoring through the network connection. This can simplify commissioning where the controller is installed alongside an Ethernet HMI or supervisory network.

Connect HMIs, drives and supervisory systems

Genie PRO base modules provide built-in Ethernet with Modbus TCP client and server capability. A compatible HMI can therefore exchange registers with the controller over Ethernet, while the controller can also exchange data with other compatible Modbus TCP equipment.

Where serial communications are required, the GPADCP accessory provides RS485 and Modbus RTU connectivity. Compatibility depends on the required Modbus roles, register maps, data formats, baud rate, parity, network topology and the design of the connected equipment.

Genie PRO product information also describes optional Micro SD support for data logging and application transfer. Storage capacity, card requirements, logging intervals and file handling should be confirmed against the current GIC documentation before these functions are specified.

Where GIC Genie PRO fits

Compact OEM machinery

Genie PRO suits small production machines that need sequencing, interlocking, counters, timers and network connectivity without the I/O requirement of a larger PLC system. Applicable DC variants add 5 kHz high-speed inputs for applications involving pulse-based sensors or counters.

Conveyor and material-handling panels

Digital sensors, interlocks and actuator commands can be handled locally while Ethernet provides a route to a compatible HMI or higher-level system. Transistor variants are available where solid-state switching or PWM functionality is required.

Pump sequencing and water panels

Genie PRO can be applied to local duty and standby sequences, level inputs, alarms, permissive logic and equipment interlocking. The GP124DM20E analogue input module can bring compatible 4 to 20 mA level, pressure or flow instruments into the control system.

Dosing and compact process systems

Analogue input and output expansion makes Genie PRO applicable to compact process skids that need to read industrial sensor signals and provide an analogue demand to compatible valves, drives or other equipment. Process accuracy and control-loop requirements still need to be checked for the individual application.

HVAC and building-services panels

The combination of digital I/O, PT100/PT1000 expansion, Ethernet and optional serial communications makes Genie PRO suitable for compact plant-room and packaged HVAC control. Typical control functions include fan sequencing, temperature monitoring, schedules, alarm handling and communications with compatible supervisory equipment.

When to choose Genie PRO and when to use a larger PLC

Genie PRO is suited to applications that fit within its published 60-I/O system limit and require compact DIN-rail control, Ethernet, Modbus communications and graphical Ladder or FBD programming. It is particularly relevant where hardwired relay logic or a conventional programmable relay no longer provides enough communications or expansion capability.

A larger PLC platform should be considered where the project requires substantially more I/O, specialist motion control, safety PLC functions, protocols not supported by Genie PRO, a larger distributed architecture or performance beyond the published Genie PRO specification. Genie PRO should not be used as a substitute for required safety, protection or certified telemetry systems.

GIC Genie PRO questions

Is the GIC Genie PRO a PLC or a smart relay?

GIC positions Genie PRO as a PLC, while Charter Controls currently categorises it with expandable smart relays and describes individual models as smart relay PLCs. For engineering selection, compact PLC is an appropriate primary description because Genie PRO combines programmable logic with Ethernet, Modbus communications and modular I/O expansion.

Does GIC Genie PRO include Ethernet?

Yes. Current Genie PRO base controllers listed by Charter Controls include built-in Ethernet. Published functions include programming, online monitoring, Modbus TCP client/server communications and web-server connectivity. Project-specific network capacity and cyber-security requirements should be assessed separately.

What is the maximum Genie PRO I/O capacity?

The published maximum system configuration is 60 I/O: up to 24 digital inputs, 20 digital outputs, 8 analogue inputs and 8 analogue outputs. Up to 12 expansion modules may be fitted, but the final arrangement must remain within the published I/O and module compatibility limits.

Which Genie PRO models have high-speed inputs and PWM outputs?

GP124DRL and GP124DRB, together with the GP024DTL and GP024DTH transistor base-controller families, provide up to four high-speed inputs rated to 5 kHz. The GP024DTL and GP024DTH transistor-output models additionally provide PWM outputs rated up to 2 kHz.

Can Genie PRO handle 4 to 20 mA and PT100/PT1000 signals?

Yes, through the appropriate expansion hardware. GP124DM20E provides two analogue input channels supporting current and voltage signals, GP124DH20E provides two PT100/PT1000 RTD inputs, and GP024DQ02E provides two analogue outputs supporting 0 to 10 V, 0 to 20 mA and 4 to 20 mA signals.

UK Genie PRO product selection and support

Charter Controls supplies GIC industrial control and automation products to UK panel builders, OEM machine builders, system integrators and electrical engineers. The Genie PRO range can be selected alongside HMIs, drives, power supplies, monitoring equipment, terminal blocks and other panel components so that supply voltage, I/O, communications and field signals can be considered together.

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Specify your Genie PRO system

Send Charter Controls the control supply, digital and analogue I/O count, signal types, display requirement, communications, high-speed or PWM requirements and a short application description so the base controller and expansion hardware can be checked against the panel design.

Ask Charter Controls for Genie PRO selection help