How to find the right module
Guide to finding the right module for your application
If you need to connect switches you would use an Digital Input Module, if you need to connect motors, lights or relays, you would use an Digital Output Module. There are many other modules like Analog Modules to connect to sensors that output an analog value like thermostats or moisture sensors, serial modules to connect to devices or machines that use serial protocols like RS-232 or RS-485. And there are more special purpose modules like a GPS module or a 2G module to connect to a cellular network and send SMS for example.
Switches
How to connect a pushbutton or a switch
Lights
How to control lights
Motors
How to run motors
Sensors
How to get a sensor value
Relays
How to control relays
Pneumatic Cylinders
How to control a pneumatic cylinder
Potentiometers
How to read the position of a potentiometer
Communication to other machines
How to communicate to other machines