LAUER 920 Series Operator Panels

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

LAUER 920 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The LAUER 920 Series operator panels represent a foundational HMI platform deployed across global heavy industry, including petrochemical plants, refinery control rooms, nuclear facility auxiliary systems, and continuous-process manufacturing lines. Manufactured in Germany, the 920 Series established LAUER's position as a primary supplier of operator interface terminals for PLC-integrated environments throughout the 1990s and 2000s. These units are characterized by their robust membrane keypad and resistive touch architectures, RS-232/RS-485 serial communication stacks, and compatibility with major PLC families including Siemens S5/S7, Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, and Modicon. The installed base of 920 Series panels in legacy industrial facilities remains substantial, making spare part availability a critical operational concern for maintenance engineers worldwide.

The Evolution of 920 Series Architecture

The LAUER 920 Series was introduced as a successor to earlier LAUER PCS (Process Control System) terminals, transitioning from purely membrane-keypad interfaces to hybrid touch/keypad designs. Early variants in the 920 range used monochrome STN LCD displays with character-based rendering, communicating via RS-232 at baud rates up to 19,200 bps. Mid-generation units introduced graphical display capability with pixel-addressable screens and expanded protocol libraries. The 920.100.x sub-series, to which the 920.100.2 belongs, represents the resistive touch screen branch of the family, integrating a touch overlay onto the base LCD panel for direct on-screen input without dedicated function keys.

Compatibility across the 920 Series is governed by the LAUER PCS protocol stack and the proprietary LCA (LAUER Communication Adapter) interface. Panels within the same sub-series share backplane pinouts and power supply requirements (typically 24V DC), but firmware versions are not universally interchangeable across sub-series boundaries. Engineers replacing a 920-series unit must verify the exact sub-series designation, firmware revision, and communication protocol configuration before substitution. As the 920 Series has entered end-of-life status with LAUER (now operating under the Pilz group umbrella for certain product lines), cross-referencing to modern equivalents requires careful functional mapping.

920 Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified models within the LAUER 920 Series. Units are categorized by primary function:

Touch Screen / Graphic Operator Panels

• 920.100.2: Resistive touch screen HMI panel, graphical LCD, 24V DC, serial comms
• 920.100.3: Enhanced touch screen variant with expanded display resolution
• 920.100.4: Touch panel with extended temperature range for harsh environments
• 920.100.5: Touch screen unit with integrated Ethernet communication port
• 920.200.1: Larger-format graphical touch panel, QVGA display, multi-protocol support
• 920.200.2: QVGA touch panel with USB host port for data logging

Membrane Keypad Operator Panels

• 920.010.1: Character-mode keypad panel, 4-line display, RS-232 interface
• 920.010.2: Keypad panel with 8-line display and function key array
• 920.010.3: Keypad panel with backlit display, rated IP65 front face
• 920.020.1: Compact keypad HMI, 2-line display, DIN rail mountable
• 920.020.2: Keypad panel with analog input for process value display

Communication & Interface Modules

• 920.300.1: RS-485 multi-drop communication adapter for 920 Series panels
• 920.300.2: Profibus DP communication module for 920 Series integration
• 920.400.1: Power supply module, 24V DC regulated, for 920 Series rack systems

Replacement & Accessory Components

• 920.500.1: Replacement touch screen overlay assembly for 920.100.x series
• 920.500.2: Backlight inverter board for 920 Series LCD panels
• 920.600.1: Programming cable, USB-to-serial, for 920 Series configuration

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 920 Series Parts

The LAUER 920 Series has been formally discontinued, with OEM production and factory support no longer available through standard distribution channels. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of 920 Series units and sub-components sourced through certified industrial surplus channels, decommissioned plant buybacks, and authorized secondary market suppliers. For facilities operating legacy LAUER 920 installations, DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support including: direct unit replacement with tested stock, component-level repair referral for display and communication board failures, cross-reference mapping to current-generation HMI equivalents where direct substitution is feasible, and emergency same-day quotation for critical production line requirements. All 920 Series stock held by DriveKNMS is cataloged by sub-series, firmware revision where determinable, and physical condition grade. Inquiries specifying the exact model number, quantity, and required delivery timeline receive priority processing.

Quality Control for the 920 Series Range

Each LAUER 920 Series unit processed by DriveKNMS undergoes a structured inspection and functional verification protocol adapted to the specific sub-series architecture. For touch screen variants (920.100.x, 920.200.x): the resistive touch overlay is tested across a 9-point calibration grid to verify linearity and pressure sensitivity; the LCD backlight is measured for luminance output against original specification; and display pixel integrity is verified at full-screen white, black, and color fill patterns. Communication interface testing covers RS-232 and RS-485 loopback at all supported baud rates, with protocol handshake verification against the LAUER PCS command set. For keypad variants, all membrane switch contacts are tested for actuation force and electrical continuity. Power supply input tolerance is verified across the rated 24V DC range (typically 18–30V DC). Units that do not meet functional thresholds are segregated and listed as parts-only stock with full disclosure of defect status.