System and method for automated loop checking

A method comprising:

• installing a dongle on a field terminal block to make an electrical connection with at least one input/output (I/O) loop;
• connecting a plurality of I/O loops to a plurality of terminal sockets on the field terminal block;
• generating an I/O loop check file using an operating software in a mobile hand-held device that communicates with the dongle and with a database of I/O loop data, the operating software configured to use the database of I/O loop data to generate the I/O loop check file;
• receiving the I/O loop check file for each of the plurality of I/O loops by an electronic section of the dongle;
• establishing an electrical connection between a terminal section of the dongle and the electronic section, the terminal section including a plurality of electrical connectors and a plurality of pins arranged to be received by, and make electrical connections to the plurality of terminal sockets and the plurality of I/O loops, wherein the plurality of electrical connectors engage with other connectors on the electronics section that passes electrical signals between the plurality of pins and the electronic section of the dongle;
• downloading the I/O loop check file to the dongle, wherein the dongle is configured to execute and test the at least one I/O loop based on a personality information of each I/O loop of the plurality of I/O loops;
• running the I/O loop check file for the execution and testing of the I/O loop;
• and
• a holder for retaining the dongle to the terminal block through a holder, the holder having first hooks and a movable clip arm having second hooks, wherein the dongle is retained to the terminal block by engaging the first hooks the holder to a first edge of the terminal block and moving the clip arm to allow the second hooks to grab a second edge of terminal block, wherein the terminal section of the dongle is configured to be arranged between the holder and the terminal block, and wherein the holder is configured to be arranged between the terminal section of the dongle and the electronic section of the dongle.

A system comprising:

• a field terminal block having a plurality of terminal sockets, the terminal sockets connected to at least one input/output (I/O) loop;
• a dongle having an electronic section and a terminal section communicatively connected with each other, the terminal section including a plurality of electrical connectors and a plurality of pins arranged to be received by and make electrical connections to, the terminal sockets of the terminal block;
• and
• a mobile hand-held device configured to run an operating software that wirelessly communicates with the electronic section of the dongle and to a database of I/O loop data, wherein:
• the operating software is configured to use the database of I/O loop data to construct an I/O loop check file;
• wherein the dongle is configured to execute and test the at least one I/O loop based on a personality information of each I/O loop;
• the mobile hand-held device configured to download to the electronic section of the dongle the I/O loop check file, wherein the electronic section of the dongle executes the I/O loop check file testing the at least one I/O loop by applying test signals through selective terminal pins to the terminal sockets connected to the at least one I/O loop, wherein the terminal section includes an electrical connector that engages other connector on the electronics section that passes electrical signals between the plurality of pins and the electronic section of the dongle;
• and
• a holder for retaining the dongle to the terminal block, the holder having first hooks and a movable clip arm having second hooks, wherein the dongle is retained to the terminal block by engaging the first hooks the holder to a first edge of the terminal block and moving the clip arm to allow the second hooks to grab a second edge of terminal block, wherein the terminal section of the dongle is configured to be arranged between the holder and the terminal block, and wherein the holder is configured to be arranged between the terminal section of the dongle and the electronic section of the dongle.