Communicating with a PLC through serial via C code.

[PLCN00B 0]

I was thinking about developing a simple program, written in C, for Mac OSX to turn on and off the outputs on my Cutler Hammer D50. I am using a USB to Serial adapter on my MacBook. I am quite new to the bare bones of Serial communications. My only real experience with my PLC is ladder logic programming. Any ideas would be great. Thanks, Sam

[Crossbow 295]

Many vendors offer software packages so you can use their factory prepared communication drivers and write the communications routines into your own programs. Mitsubishi offers a package for their products called MX Component, which can be used to embed the serial communications into your project. I am fairly certain Omron had a similar software. Check with CH to see if they offer such a thing for your PLC.

[BobLfoot 301]

**** Personal Opinion - Not an official position of this forum **** Mitsi and Omron are definitely "leading the pack" when it comes to connectivity options and ease. If you were to try and communicate serially from C to an Allen Bradley PLC you'd be sifting through pages of comm description protocols or buying an activeX / OCx adder tool to accomplish this. Good luck and I hope CH has the tools you need.