There’s a familiar ceiling that every electronics hobbyist, maker, and small-scale inventor eventually hits. You start with a blinking LED on a breadboard, powered by an Arduino. Soon you’re reading sensors, controlling motors, and feeling the thrill of bringing your ideas to life. But then you want to build something more permanent, more robust. You envision a custom greenhouse controller, a small-scale manufacturing jig, or a sophisticated home automation system. The chaotic nest of jumper wires and precariously balanced shields on your workbench just won’t cut it. You need a solution that’s reliable, protected against the electrical noise of the real world, and capable of handling industrial-level voltages. This is the chasm between a fun experiment and a functional, long-term application. Failing to bridge this gap leads to unreliable projects, blown components, and the frustrating feeling of being stuck in the prototyping phase forever. You need the power and flexibility of a microcontroller platform like Arduino, but housed in the rugged, practical form factor of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).
- DIY Soldering Kit needs assembling of all through-hole parts. Included DC-DC converter module is already assembled (SMD). The system is compatible with Arduino and can be programmed using Arduino IDE...
- 4 analog inputs || 4 analog outputs 0-10V || I2C bus (standard 5V STEMMA connector) for sensors, displays etc.
What to Consider Before Buying a CPU Processor
A CPU Processor is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for executing the complex instructions that run our digital lives. Whether for a high-performance gaming rig, a video editing workstation, or the specialized controller in an industrial machine, the processor is the core component that dictates speed, responsiveness, and multitasking capability. The main benefit of selecting the right processor is achieving a seamless, efficient workflow, free from the bottlenecks and lag that plague underpowered systems. It’s the difference between rendering a video in minutes versus hours, or a machine responding to sensor input instantaneously versus with a costly delay.
The ideal customer for a high-end desktop CPU is someone facing computationally intensive tasks: video editors, 3D artists, serious gamers, and software developers. These users need multiple cores and high clock speeds to handle parallel processing and demanding applications. However, a top-tier desktop CPU might not be suitable for those building embedded systems or dedicated control applications. For those projects, the raw power is overkill, and the lack of integrated, industrial-grade inputs and outputs (I/O) makes interfacing with the real world complex and fragile. In these cases, a specialized solution like a microcontroller housed in a PLC chassis offers a more direct, robust, and cost-effective path to controlling machinery, reading industrial sensors, or automating processes. These users should look for solutions tailored to control rather than raw computation.
Before investing in any processing unit, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Cores & Threads: The number of cores determines how many tasks a processor can handle simultaneously. More cores are better for multitasking and heavily threaded applications like video encoding or scientific simulation. Threads are virtual cores that allow for more efficient processing of parallel tasks. For simple control tasks, a single-core processor is often sufficient, but for desktop computing, a minimum of 6 or 8 cores is recommended today.
- Clock Speed & IPC: Measured in gigahertz (GHz), clock speed indicates how many cycles a processor executes per second. While a higher number is generally better, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Instructions Per Clock (IPC) is a measure of how much work a core can do in a single cycle. A modern CPU with a lower clock speed but higher IPC can easily outperform an older CPU with a higher clock speed.
- Ecosystem & I/O: For a desktop CPU, the ecosystem includes the motherboard socket type (e.g., LGA1700) and chipset compatibility, which dictates features like PCIe lanes and USB ports. For a control system, the ecosystem is about the available inputs and outputs—how many sensors can it read? How many motors or relays can it drive? This is often the most critical factor for automation projects.
- Power Consumption & Thermal Design Power (TDP): A processor’s performance comes at the cost of power consumption and heat generation, measured in TDP. A higher TDP requires a more robust and expensive cooling solution (heatsink, fan, or liquid cooling) and a more powerful PSU. For embedded systems, low power consumption is often a primary design goal.
Understanding these factors is key to choosing the right “brain” for your specific needs, ensuring you get the performance you require without overspending on unnecessary features.
While the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit is an excellent choice for specialized control, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition in the broader world of processing. For a comprehensive look at top-tier CPUs for demanding creative tasks, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Pure gaming performance with smooth 100+ FPS in the world's most popular games
- Can deliver fast 100+ FPS performance in the world's most popular games, discrete graphics card required
- This dominant gaming processor can deliver fast 100+ FPS performance in the world's most popular games
First Impressions: A No-Nonsense Kit for Serious Builders
Upon opening the box for the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit, we were greeted with a sense of purpose. There’s no fancy packaging or unnecessary fluff—just a high-quality, clearly labeled printed circuit board (PCB), bags of sorted through-hole components, and the pre-soldered DC-DC converter module. This immediately signals that this is a product for people who want to build, not just plug and play. The PCB itself is impressive, with a solid feel, clear silk-screening for component placement, and a professional layout that inspires confidence. It’s immediately apparent this isn’t a flimsy hobby board but a piece of hardware designed for real-world deployment. You will need to supply your own Arduino Nano V3, which is a smart choice as it allows users to choose their preferred variant (clone or original) and keeps the base cost of the kit remarkably low. This kit feels like a powerful toolkit waiting to be assembled, promising a journey from a bag of parts to a fully functional industrial controller.
Key Benefits
- Incredible value for the feature set provided
- Comprehensive I/O for diverse automation projects
- Leverages the massive, user-friendly Arduino ecosystem
- DIY assembly provides a rewarding and educational experience
- High-quality Canadian-made PCB and thoughtful design
- Integrated RTC with battery backup is a professional feature
Potential Drawbacks
- Requires the separate purchase of an Arduino Nano module
- Assembly instructions are not in the box; they must be downloaded
- Requires intermediate soldering skills and tools
From Solder to Solution: A Hands-On Analysis of the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a product like this, you have to build it, power it up, and put it through its paces. We spent considerable time assembling, programming, and testing the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit to see if it lives up to its promise of being a bridge between the maker world and industrial control. Our deep dive focused on the entire user journey, from the initial component sorting to deploying a real-world control program.
The DIY Assembly Experience: A Rewarding Challenge for Builders
Let’s be clear: this is a DIY kit, and that’s one of its greatest strengths. The assembly process is where your relationship with the hardware truly begins. As one user noted, the kit arrives without printed instructions, which might initially seem daunting to a beginner. However, a quick visit to the manufacturer’s website provides a comprehensive PDF guide with a clear schematic and board layout. We found this to be a non-issue, and in fact, prefer digital documentation that can be updated. The build process itself is a genuine pleasure for anyone who enjoys soldering. All components are through-hole, meaning they are easy to handle and solder compared to tiny surface-mount parts. The PCB is well-designed, with ample spacing and clear markings that leave no room for ambiguity. We recommend starting with the lowest profile components first (resistors, diodes) and working your way up to the taller ones (capacitors, terminals, relay blocks). This methodical approach, familiar to any kit-builder, results in a clean and professional-looking final product. One particularly thoughtful detail, also highlighted by a user, is an optional resistor. The documentation explains its purpose clearly: it’s included for specific voltage configurations, demonstrating a level of design foresight that anticipates different user needs. The entire assembly took us about 90 minutes of focused work, and the result was not just a functional PLC, but a deep sense of satisfaction and a thorough understanding of the board’s topology. The quality of the components and PCB made the entire process smooth and enjoyable.
Unleashing Control: A Deep Dive into the Versatile I/O Capabilities
The heart of any PLC is its Input/Output (I/O), and this is where the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 truly shines, offering a feature set typically found on much more expensive devices. Let’s break down what you get. First, the six digital relay outputs are the workhorses for controlling high-power devices. Rated for 5A, these relays can switch AC or DC loads like motors, pumps, solenoids, contactors, or high-power lighting—things an Arduino pin could never handle directly. During our testing, we used them to control a 12V water pump and a 120V workshop light, and they performed flawlessly with a satisfying “click.” Next, the four digital inputs are optically isolated and designed to work with voltages from 3.3V up to 24V. This is critical for industrial environments, allowing you to reliably read signals from limit switches, push buttons, and proximity sensors without risking damage to the delicate microcontroller. The four analog inputs (0-5V) are perfect for connecting potentiometers, temperature sensors (like the LM35), or pressure transducers to provide nuanced data to your control logic. But the standout feature for us was the four true analog outputs. These provide a 0-10V signal, a standard in industrial control for things like controlling the speed of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) on a motor or modulating a proportional valve. Having this capability in a DIY kit at this price point is simply phenomenal. It’s a feature that really sets it apart and opens up a whole new realm of sophisticated process control projects. Combined with the standard I2C bus for adding countless other sensors and displays, the I/O on this PLC is nothing short of exceptional.
The Brains of the Operation: Seamless Integration with the Arduino Ecosystem
Amazing hardware is useless without accessible software, and the decision to base the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit on the Arduino Nano is a stroke of genius. This instantly grants it access to one of the largest and best-supported open-source electronics platforms in the world. Programming is done through the standard Arduino IDE, which is free, runs on any major operating system, and is famously easy to learn. Instead of wrestling with proprietary ladder logic software, you can write your control programs in a simple C/C++ based language. Countless libraries are available with a single click, allowing you to effortlessly integrate complex functions for controlling displays, communicating over various protocols, or implementing advanced control algorithms like PID. We also loved the inclusion of a DS1307 Real-Time Clock (RTC) right on the board, complete with a spot for a CR1220 backup battery. This allows your projects to keep accurate time even when powered off, a crucial feature for data logging, scheduling tasks (like turning on a grow light at the same time every day), or time-stamping events. For a maker moving into more serious applications, the ability to leverage their existing Arduino knowledge on this rugged, industrial-grade hardware is a massive advantage. You can check the latest price and availability and see how this powerful combination of hardware and software can elevate your projects.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience with the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 is strongly echoed by the wider user community. The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on two main themes: incredible value and straightforward assembly for those with some experience. One user summed it up perfectly, stating, “I am amazed this product only costs this much,” going on to say they were so impressed they bought other models from the series. This speaks volumes about the value proposition, confirming our assessment that the feature set offered at this price point is exceptional.
Another detailed account from a non-expert in electronics praised the ease of assembly despite the lack of printed instructions. They highlighted that they were able to find the necessary PDF schematic on the manufacturer’s website and found the build to be “muy fácil” (very easy). This user’s journey of successfully building and testing the board, even without prior expertise, is a powerful testament to the quality of the PCB layout and the clarity of the online documentation. Their conclusion, “muy contento con la compra” (very happy with the purchase), reinforces the idea that this kit delivers a satisfying and successful experience for its target audience.
CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 vs. The Competition: Specialized Control vs. Raw Power
When choosing a processing unit, it’s crucial to match the tool to the task. The CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit is a master of specialized control, but how does it compare to general-purpose CPUs designed for raw computational power? It’s a comparison of apples and oranges, but one that clarifies the unique role this PLC plays.
1. Intel Core i7-9700K Desktop Processor
- 8 Cores/ 8 threads
- 3.60 GHz up to 4.90 GHz/ 12 MB Cache
The Intel Core i7-9700K is a high-performance 8-core desktop processor built for speed. It excels at tasks like gaming, streaming, and content creation where raw, single-threaded performance is key. If your project is building a powerful PC to run complex software or render high-resolution video, the i7-9700K is a fantastic choice. However, it is fundamentally unsuited for direct industrial control. It has no built-in relays, no protected inputs, and no analog outputs. Interfacing it with the real world would require multiple layers of additional, complex hardware. Someone should choose the i7-9700K for a computing task, but for an automation task, the CANADUINO PLC is infinitely more direct and appropriate.
2. Intel Core i7-8700 Processor
- 6 Cores / 12 Threads
- 3.20 GHz up to 4.60 GHz Max Turbo Frequency / 12 MB Cache
Slightly older but still very capable, the Intel Core i7-8700 offers 6 cores and 12 threads, making it a workhorse for multitasking and productivity within a desktop environment. It represents a solid value for building a general-purpose computer. Like the 9700K, its domain is the digital world of operating systems and applications. While you could technically use a PC built with this CPU to send signals through a USB-to-IO board, the approach is clunky, expensive, and lacks the real-time determinism of a dedicated microcontroller. The CANADUINO PLC, with its integrated I/O and Arduino core, provides a far more elegant, robust, and cost-effective solution for anyone needing to read sensors and control machinery.
3. Intel Core i7-12700KF 12-Core Desktop Processor
- Intel Core i7-12700KF 12th Gen Desktop Unlocked Processor without Graphics
- Unlocked 12th Gen Intel Core Desktop Processors feature Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology and support PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, as well as DDR5 and DDR4 memory.
The Intel Core i7-12700KF represents a modern leap in CPU architecture, with a hybrid design combining 8 performance-cores and 4 efficiency-cores. This makes it an absolute powerhouse for the most demanding tasks, from 4K video editing to complex 3D rendering. It is the pinnacle of general-purpose processing for a high-end desktop. The contrast with the CANADUINO PLC couldn’t be starker. The i7-12700KF computes; the CANADUINO PLC controls. If your goal is to process massive amounts of data inside a computer, the i7 is your tool. If your goal is to process real-world signals to control a physical system, the CANADUINO PLC is the right tool for the job, purpose-built from the ground up for that exact task.
Final Verdict: Is the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 DIY Kit Right for Your Project?
After a thorough build and extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 Programmable Logic Controller DIY Kit is a truly outstanding product that fills a critical niche. It’s not trying to be a desktop computer; it’s a rugged, reliable, and remarkably affordable bridge for taking your Arduino-based projects to the next level of professionalism and durability. The combination of a thoughtful DIY assembly experience, a comprehensive suite of industrial-grade I/O, and the power of the entire Arduino ecosystem is a winning formula. It is the perfect solution for students learning about industrial control, hobbyists looking to create permanent and robust home automation systems, and even small businesses needing to build custom, low-cost control solutions.
If you have some basic soldering skills and an ambition to build projects that interact with the real world in a meaningful way, this kit is an unqualified recommendation. It offers a level of functionality that is simply unheard of at this price point. For its intended purpose, it is one of the best value products we have ever reviewed. If you’re ready to move beyond the breadboard and build something truly impressive, we highly recommend you explore the full capabilities of the CANADUINO PLC-100 V2 for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Last update on 2025-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API