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Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics·Lesson 27 of 47

Wiring the Pneumatic Hub or PCM

Connect power, CAN, the compressor, the pressure sensor, and solenoid channels correctly and within spec.

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Powering the Module

Per WPILib's wiring guide, the REV Pneumatic Hub is powered from 12V on the PDP/PDH. The first PH can use the dedicated VRM/PCM connectors on the end of a PDP, or a 15A or 20A port on the PDH (20A recommended if it is running a compressor). Additional hubs connect to a standard WAGO connector on a PDP protected by a 20A-or-smaller breaker, or a 15A PDH port. The compressor's current draw is why the 20A port is recommended.

CAN Bus

The module joins the CAN chain like any other CAN device — it can sit anywhere in the middle of the chain, or on the end with a terminating resistor. Confirm its CAN ID in software: the PH defaults to ID 1, the PCM to ID 0.

Compressor Output

Wire the compressor directly to the module's Compressor output terminals. If you need to extend the leads, use 18 AWG or larger wire. The PH can supply up to 15 A continuous on this output.

Pressure Feedback

  • Digital switch: connects to the pressure-switch input; polarity does not matter.
  • Analog sensor (REV-11-1107): wires to one of the PH's analog pressure sensor ports — follow REV's pinout carefully since it carries 5V power and a signal line.

Solenoid Channels and Voltage

Set the PH's 12V/24V voltage switch to match your solenoids before powering up — and remember every solenoid on the module must be the same voltage. A single (single-acting) solenoid uses one channel (one terminal pair); a double (double-acting) solenoid uses two channels (two pairs). Each channel supplies up to 200 mA. Wire each solenoid directly to its numbered terminal pair on the Hub.

Bench Test Without a roboRIO

The PH's USB-C port plus the REV Hardware Client lets you fire solenoids and run the compressor on the bench before robot code exists. For the PCM, use Phoenix Tuner / Tuner X to bring it up. This is the fastest way to confirm wiring is correct before you write a line of robot code.

Sanity Checklist

Power on the correct breaker, CAN ID confirmed, compressor on the compressor terminals, pressure feedback connected, voltage switch set, single solenoids on one channel and double solenoids on two. Get these right and the software step becomes trivial.

Key takeaways

  • Power the first PH from a 20A PDH port (recommended for compressor use) or the PDP VRM/PCM connectors; additional hubs on a 20A-or-smaller breaker.
  • The module is a normal CAN device; confirm CAN ID (PH defaults to 1, PCM to 0).
  • Wire the compressor to the Compressor output (18 AWG or larger if extended); connect a digital switch or the REV analog sensor for feedback.
  • Set the 12V/24V switch before power-up; single solenoids use one channel, double solenoids use two; bench-test with the REV Hardware Client or Phoenix Tuner.

Go deeper

Lesson quiz

Required

Answer all 3 questions correctly to complete this lesson.

1.How does the Pneumatic Hub (or PCM) communicate with the roboRIO to receive solenoid and compressor commands?

2.When wiring power to a Pneumatic Hub that will control a compressor, what is the recommended power source/protection?

3.How should the digital pressure switch be wired to the Pneumatic Hub's digital sensor input?

Answer every question to submit.