Description
🔹 Product Overview
The Red Lion G306A000 is a G3 Series graphic operator interface terminal designed for industrial machine monitoring, operator control, PLC communication, and process visualization.
The G306A000 combines a 5.7-inch TFT color display, resistive touchscreen, five-button keypad, Ethernet, serial communication, USB connectivity, and expandable CompactFlash memory. It can communicate with a wide range of industrial controllers and devices through its built-in and optional communication interfaces.
The unit is configured through Red Lion Crimson software and is particularly useful for maintaining legacy automation systems where the original HMI configuration and communication architecture need to be preserved.
⚙️ Key Features
- Red Lion G3 Series operator interface
- Model G306A000
- 5.7-inch TFT active-matrix color LCD
- 320 × 240 QVGA resolution
- Resistive analog touchscreen
- Five-button operator keypad
- 2 × RS-232 and 1 × RS-422/485 communication interfaces onboard
- 10/100 Ethernet
- USB interface for configuration and data transfer
- CompactFlash expansion socket
- 8 MB non-volatile Flash memory
- Crimson software configuration
- 24 VDC power input
- NEMA 4X / IP66 front-panel protection
- Designed for indoor industrial applications
📋 Technical Datasheet
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Red Lion Controls |
| Model | G306A000 |
| Product Series | G3 Series |
| Product Name | Graphic Color LCD Operator Interface Terminal |
| Display | 5.7-inch TFT Active Matrix Color LCD |
| Resolution | 320 × 240 pixels, QVGA |
| Touch / Keypad | Resistive touchscreen + 5-button keypad |
| Communication | 2 × RS-232 + 1 × RS-422/485, Ethernet |
| Memory | 8 MB Flash + CompactFlash expansion |
| Power Supply | 24 VDC ±20% |
🖥️ Display & Operator Interface
The G306A000 uses a 5.7-inch TFT active-matrix display with 320 × 240 pixel QVGA resolution and 256-color graphics. The resistive analog touchscreen provides direct operator interaction with configured screens, buttons, status indicators, trends, and data displays.
The five-button keypad provides an additional operator-control method for on-screen menus. This is useful in industrial environments where dedicated navigation keys are preferred alongside touchscreen operation.
Three front-panel LED indicators provide basic operating and status information.
🔌 Communication & PLC Integration
The G306A000 was designed as a multi-protocol operator interface rather than a simple display terminal.
Its standard communication architecture includes:
- Two RS-232 ports
- One RS-422/485 port
- 10/100 Ethernet
- USB interface
An optional communication card can add additional serial connectivity or specialized interfaces such as CANopen and PROFIBUS-DP, depending on the installed configuration. The G306A documentation specifies support for up to five RS-232/422/485 communication ports with the optional communication hardware.
This makes the G306A000 suitable for connecting older PLCs, drives, controllers, meters, and other industrial devices while providing a common operator interface.
🌐 Ethernet & Data Functions
The Ethernet interface supports 10Base-T and 100Base-TX networking. It can be used for communication with networked industrial devices and for access to configured web pages.
The USB interface provides a convenient method for transferring configuration data between the HMI and a programming computer.
The unit stores its configuration in non-volatile Flash memory, while the CompactFlash socket can provide additional storage capacity for applications involving data logging or trend information.
🏭 Typical Applications
The Red Lion G306A000 can be applied to:
- PLC operator panels
- Machine control interfaces
- Factory automation
- Process monitoring
- Packaging machinery
- Material handling systems
- Drive control stations
- Legacy SCADA/HMI installations
- Production-line monitoring
- Industrial equipment retrofit projects
It is particularly useful where an existing machine still depends on a G3-series HMI configuration and the goal is to minimize changes to the original control architecture.
🔧 Installation & Commissioning
Before installation, verify the existing HMI model, communication configuration, project file, cable arrangement, and PLC protocol.
Recommended procedure:
- Confirm the complete G306A000 part number.
- Record the existing HMI communication settings.
- Back up the existing Crimson project if available.
- Verify the 24 VDC power supply.
- Inspect the panel cutout and mounting hardware.
- Connect the appropriate serial or Ethernet cables.
- Install the unit into the existing panel.
- Transfer the correct configuration using the appropriate Crimson environment.
- Verify communication with each connected controller.
- Test touchscreen functions, keypad operation, alarms, trends, and operator controls.
The G306A documentation identifies the unit as a panel-mounted operator interface supplied with a panel gasket, mounting hardware, power terminal block, and panel-cutout template.
🔍 Troubleshooting
HMI Does Not Power On
Check the 24 VDC supply, polarity, terminal connections, and cabinet power distribution. The specified supply range is 24 VDC ±20%.
Display Is On but PLC Data Is Missing
Check the communication cable, protocol selection, baud rate, station address, and controller configuration. For Ethernet communication, verify IP configuration and network connectivity.
Touchscreen Does Not Respond Correctly
The G306A uses a resistive analog touchscreen. Check for physical contamination or damage and verify touchscreen calibration where required.
Serial Communication Is Intermittent
Inspect RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 wiring and confirm that the selected communication interface matches the PLC or controller. RS-422/485 polarity and termination should also be checked.
Configuration Cannot Be Transferred
Verify the USB or programming connection and confirm that the installed Crimson software version is compatible with the G306A project. The G306A000 documentation identifies Crimson as the configuration environment.
🧰 Maintenance
For long-term operation, periodically inspect:
- 24 VDC power terminals
- Serial and Ethernet connectors
- Touchscreen surface
- Front-panel gasket
- Panel mounting hardware
- Cabinet ventilation
- CompactFlash storage
- Configuration backups
- Communication cables
Keep a copy of the working HMI project in a controlled maintenance location. This can significantly reduce recovery time if the operator terminal needs to be replaced.
🔄 Replacement Considerations
The G306A000 is an obsolete product, and current distributor information identifies it as no longer manufactured. Red Lion also classifies the G306A documentation as reference material for an obsolete HMI family.
For legacy machinery, an original G306A000 can therefore be valuable as a maintenance replacement when compatibility with the existing panel, project, communication drivers, and wiring is important.
Before replacement, compare:
- Exact model number
- Display and panel dimensions
- Communication interfaces
- Optional communication card
- Crimson project version
- PLC protocol
- Ethernet configuration
- CompactFlash requirements
- Power supply
- Panel mounting arrangement
For a modernization project, a current Red Lion HMI may be considered, but the replacement should be evaluated as a complete system change rather than simply matching display size.
❓ FAQ
What is the Red Lion G306A000?
It is a G3 Series graphic operator interface terminal with a 5.7-inch TFT touchscreen display.
Is the G306A000 a PLC?
No. It is primarily an HMI/operator interface used to communicate with PLCs, controllers, drives, and other industrial equipment.
What display does it use?
The G306A000 uses a 5.7-inch TFT active-matrix color display with 320 × 240 QVGA resolution.
What power supply is required?
The specified supply is 24 VDC ±20%.
Does it have Ethernet?
Yes. The G306A000 provides 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet.
What serial interfaces are included?
The standard unit provides two RS-232 interfaces and one RS-422/485 interface.
Can the G306A000 be used with legacy PLCs?
Yes. Its multi-protocol serial and Ethernet architecture was designed for communication with a wide range of industrial equipment.
Is G306A000 still manufactured?
No. It is an obsolete Red Lion product, making verified original units useful for legacy maintenance and replacement applications.
🔟 Related Red Lion Models
- Red Lion G303
- Red Lion G304K
- Red Lion G304K2
- Red Lion G306
- Red Lion G306M
- Red Lion G306C
- Red Lion G306K
- Red Lion G307K2
- Red Lion G308A
- Red Lion G308C
📌 Product Summary
The Red Lion G306A000 is a legacy 5.7-inch industrial HMI/operator interface combining TFT color graphics, resistive touchscreen operation, serial communication, Ethernet, USB, and expandable memory.
Its broad communication capability makes it well suited for PLC visualization, machine operation, process monitoring, legacy equipment integration, and industrial HMI replacement projects. For a direct replacement, the complete model number and existing Crimson configuration should be verified before installation.
