Aussie Shield

The Aussie Shield is the shield that sits “down under”. It is compatible with the Ruggeduino, Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, and Mega boards (and other compatible boards). The shield extends the connection pins out to 28 quick-connect terminals that accept 20AWG to 24AWG wire. Unlike screw terminals, these quick-connect terminals require no tools -- just push, insert wire, and release. Use the Aussie Shield for easy breadboarding, swapping Arduinos in fixed lab or art installations, using stacking shields standalone without an Arduino, or cross-wiring shield pins. It can also be mounted to DIN rail for industrial installations.
 

  • The Aussie Shield

    ../assets/images/AD050_01.gif

    The Aussie Shield brings out the Arduino pins to quick-connect terminals. The terminals require no tools and accept 20AWG to 24AWG wire. The Arduino plugs in upside down over the 0.1" pin headers. 9 mounting holes allow for permanent installation.

    Aussie Shield

  • The Aussie in Use

    ../assets/images/AD050_02.gif

    The Aussie Shield is shown with an Arduino Uno plugged in. All 28 pins found on a Duemilanove/Uno are broken out: D0 to D13, A0-A5, AREF, three GND pins, 5V, 3.3V, RESET, and VIN.

    Aussie Shield

  • The Aussie With a Mega

    ../assets/images/AD050_03.gif

    The Aussie Shield is shown with an Arduino Mega plugged in. The Mega2560 is also compatible.

    Aussie Shield

  • Aussie Shield DIN Rail Mount

    ../assets/images/AD050_04.gif

    The optional Aussie Shield DIN Rail Mount Kit allows you to mount your Aussie Shield to standard DIN rail.

    Aussie Shield

  • Aussie Shield DIN Rail Mount

    ../assets/images/AD050_05.gif

    Our Ruggeduino is shown plugged in to an Aussie Shield, mounted to DIN Rail. You can also mount to DIN Rail with 90 degree rotation.

    Aussie Shield

  • Aussie Shield Upgrade Kit

    ../assets/images/AD050_06.gif

    The optional Upgrade Kit adds even more features: a handy 2-pin screw terminal block for providing external power, a reset button, status LED (connected to D13), and blocking diode and resettable fuse for the external power source.

    Aussie Shield

 

 

$10.95 Aussie Shield kit

$2.95 upgrade kit

$2.95 DIN rail mount kit

Features

The Aussie Shield includes:

  • Aussie Shield PCB
  • Two sets of 8-pin 0.1” pin headers
  • Two sets of 6-pin 0.1” pin headers
  • Two sets of 8-pin quick-connect terminals for 20AWG-24AWG wire
  • Two sets of 6-pin quick-connect terminals for 20AWG-24AWG wire

 

In kit form, all of the parts must be assembled together. This requires soldering 8 through-hole connectors for a total of 56 pins.

Also see our Quick Shield product for similar functionality.

Upgrade Kit

The Upgrade Kit makes it easier to use an Arduino standalone (that is, without USB power) by providing a protected power path for an external power supply. Power is provided to a 2-pin 3.5mm screw terminal block, which then supplies the Vin input to the Arduino. The Arduino is protected by a 500mA resettable fuse and a 1A Schottky diode which blocks reverse voltages up to 30V.

The maximum voltage you can apply is limited by the specific board you are plugging in. For example, the Arduino Uno recommends an input voltage of between 7-12V, with 20V as an absolute maximum.

Since the Arduino plugs in upside down to the Aussie Shield, the status LED and reset button are not easily accessible. The Upgrade Kit solves this problem by providing a second LED and reset switch mounted on the top of the Aussie Shield. The LED is connected to I/O pin D13 through a 560 ohm resistor, and the reset switch is in parallel with the existing reset switch on the Arduino.

The Upgrade Kit includes:

  • 2-pin 3.5mm screw terminal block
  • 500mA resettable fuse
  • 30V 1A Schottky diode
  • Tactile momentary pushbutton (reset function)
  • 3mm LED (connected to D13)
  • 560 ohm resistor

 

In kit form, the above parts must be soldered to the PCB. This requires soldering 6 through-hole components for a total of 12 pins. Refer to the diagram below for assembly information.

DIN Rail Mount Kit

The Aussie Shield DIN Rail Mount Kit allows you to mount the Aussie Shield to standard DIN rail.

The flexible pattern of 9 holes on the Aussie Shield means you can mount horizontally (as shown above) or vertically. You can even install two DIN rail mount kits side by side for added stability.

Technical Information

Here is the schematic for the Aussie Shield.

The Aussie Shield was designed in the USA and is assembled in the USA using lead-free components and lead-free manufacturing and assembly processes.

Proudly located in Michigan, USA

Copyright © 2011 Rugged Circuits LLC