Digital Side Car Wiring Of I/O & Solenoid Output Card

[James Lightfoot]

Hello,

1st year mentor and under the gun. I have a few quick questions about connecting I/O to the Digital Side Car and Solenoid card
1) Encoders [US Digital E4P-250-250-N-S-D-D-B encoder (am-0174)] connect to 2 GPIO points (Channels A & B), correct?
2) Are the GPIO points both Inputs and Outputs or just Inputs?
3) Do the GPIO points use the same connectors as the premade PWM cables?
A)If so, how do we connect "extra inputs & outputs (either via the GPIO
or Relay points) that do not come w/ premade cables?
3) We are using and ultrasonic sensor (Maxbotix MB7366) that has 3 output options (Analog Voltage, PWN, Serial). Can we connect the PWN singal to a GPIO as an input or do we have to use the Analog input route?
4) We are using an electromagnet that uses 12VDC. Can we connect that directly to Solenoid Output card or should I use an interposing relay (24VDC coil) and then use a NO contact to energize the electromagnet?

Thanks all,