scottmurphy

Yeah, that makes sense, I was hoping to avoid it, but your suggestion about the scale triggered an option. I could make the scale -100 to 500 for example, so if the analogue variable is -10 to 40, I could then make the digital value -90/-80, that should give some clarification. I will do some testing, and see what it looks like.

Hello, I am wanting to display an analogue & digital trend on the same screen. To avoid conflicting scaling issues, the best way is to do 2x graphs, with the scales set accordingly. The issue that this presents, is the scrolling back/fwd through history values. I could add the scroll bars to each chart display, but then the user would have to navigate both at the same time. Not a major problem I guess, but does make it slightly frustrating. Ideally, it would be nice to be able to link the start times, but I am doubting that this is possibly. Any other ideas on a workaround, or is it scroll bars on each?

Ok, lets back up again, what is the IO count you are looking for if you are going to upgrade to a CP1x model? You could possible go to the M model, which has the facility to have 2x option boards, I would make 1 an ethernet, and the other a serial, and put the 2x NS's on 1:NT link. This way, you can have the WW using the ethernet, and also a spare connection for programming. It is my understanding that these ethernet modules are very limited in their functionality. PMCR will be able to give you the exact limitations I am sure... I do have 1 installed, but have not had a chance to do some more rigorous testing with it. I currently use it for SCADA and PLC, with no apparent issues anyway. I cannot recall if you said what your requirements for upgrading the CPMA were?

The info I have for the HL8 server says C-Series PLC's, it is my understanding that this will work with the CPMA range. I don't have a CPMA to test with unfortunately, I do have a CP1 which may work... I will also have a look at the DASOMSerial.. The EWon info that pdl posted does look like an option also, but then would you need 2 of them...? I am pretty sure that MOXA do a 2 port serial server over ethernet http://2g.moxa.com/product/NPort_5210.htm This may even be easier, but then it has to run the application on the Host PC. I would be looking at the HL8 to begin with, but would want to go to the DAS longer term. The easiest way for this would be to upgrade the CPMA to a CP1, how much is involved in that?

Whilst I think about it, are any of your CS1 PLC's connected to the InTouch system? If so, then what protocol are they using?

Those models do not support Ethernet. You could upgrade them both to versions that do, the CPM1/2A could be replaced with a CPL/M/H, that has a Ethernet module available, and the C200HX would need to have the backplane & CPU upgraded, to allow for an ethernet module to be added to the rack, providing there is a spare slot? One of the good things with the Omron platform, is a conversion from an earlier model is very easily done. IMO that would be a pricey way to go just to get some data from them. You could get an ethernet to serial gateway, I cannot think of any reason why these would not work, and would be a fraction of the cost & time involved in upgrading. Bearing in mind however, that standardising is also a good idea....

The NP will be your best option here. I have done something similar recently, and was a bit of work to begin with, but once proven, it is fine. The Modbus examples posted by PMCR are very easy to setup and get working for this, have a look and see how you get on.

Hi, Recently we have been getting errors on a NS (See attached). The system version of this particular screen is 8.10. I have just downloaded V8.21, but will not be on-site until later in the week. What I would like to know, if possible, what is the cause of this error? I vaguely recall a similar error occurring when trying to open a screen from a macro or something similar that does not exist, but I don't think it is the case here, as the error used to tell you what the screen no error was.. We are using Datalogging on this unit to a CF card, and do have the WebGate function enabled also. The logging is not at any great rate, there are 4x groups configured as follows: Group 1 : 30sec, 4pens. Only logs on certain conditions Group 2 : 60sec, 5 pens. Logs always Group 3 : 60sec, 1 pens. Logs always Group 4 : 60sec, 1 pens. Logs always The operators have also been complaining that the screen is starting to consistently be slow updating, sometimes up to 5sec or more. Will the latest firmware solve this error, if indeed we can establish what the cause may be?

I briefly called into this site recently, and made some interesting observations. I was looking at the Poll/Failure rate, and noticed that this was varying when if I was online/offline via the CJ1W-ETN21. When offline, Start Polls := 46550 Fails := 465 % := 0.998 Finish Polls := 46950 Fails := 467 % := 0.994 And then Online, Start Polls 47000 Fails 467 % 0.993 Finish Polls := 47312 Fails := 475 % := 1.003 This was a period of 5-10 minutes each, you can see that there is a noticeable difference between when I was online/offline. This is an interesting find, it seems that I maybe need to increase the peripheral servicing time again, to allow for the ETN module. Currently, it as 5mS, is there a way to calculate/determine what the ideal settings for this should be? The agent has made some further suggestions, mainly to try again with 4wire and earth on/off etc. I haven't had time to do this as yet, but don't imagine I will get much difference

I am trying to get to the bottom of what seems to be an intermittent error Here is the setup Site 1 1x CP1H using the Modbus Easy master function 2x Modlon Slave devices, that act as a Modbus-Lonworks Gateway app 15-20m total network cabling 2-wire Modbus from CP1H, T+/R+ & T-/R- connected at Slave end I am polling each slave for 2x blocks of data, at identical intervals. Every so often, the CP1H reports a no response from 1 of the slave device's. If I set to only poll 1 slave, the system does not skip a beat. If I set to poll the other slave, the same thing, consistent replies, no errors. Site 2 I tried the identical setup with 2 different types of slaves, VSD's that have Modbus on-board, as opposed to this Modbus to Lonworks device. The other difference being the length of cabling, on this install, the PLC & VSD's are in the same cabinet. This config ran fine with no failures. This proves the code/wiring/Master device. The only other difference between the 2, was that Site 2 has a scan time of app 13mS, whereas site 1 was 2mS. I fixed Site 1 at 20mS, and this did seem to reduce the error count, but not eliminate it. Where could the problem be, where should we be looking? If it was a cabling thing, then there would be issues when polling the single device. If it were a code issue, then the issue would of been present on the 2nd site that I tried this on. I have also tried increasing the time between polls, currently at 2.5 Sec, which I think is quite a long time. The error count seems to be almost zero with this setup. I have had it out to 5sec, whilst this does reduce the error count, it does not go away!! I could leave at it this, but surely 2.5 sec between polls is too long? I would normally expect to initiate the next poll when the previous poll has been completed, as indicated by the Ready/Executing flags. Any thoughts?

again This is what I have been looking for also, I had resorted to using a rectangle & frame object. Looks like I owe you a pint or 2....

Hello, I have noticed now that there are more colour options for a page background, but not for general objects? Is this a reg setting I have wrong/can change, or still a limitation?

Hi Bertie, See attached image, see there is 2x palette's. The larger one is the one that I have accessed from the page properties, whereas the smaller one is the one accessed via 'View/Palette'. I haven't been able to work out how to add more colours to the basic shape objects (squares/circles etc.)

Just checked, it looks like I have it set to 10 (1sec). The other settings that I have not tried on this install was going back to a variable scan time as opposed to fixed at 20mS. This is not a major, I want to get this issue sorted first. Scott

Right, I finally managed to get back to site today, had 2x Loan VSD's identical to Site 2. Put the 2 VSD's at the end of line where the terminator is ( This install has the termination point adjacent to the origin to allow for future devices), modified the node no's in the polling commands, and away the comms went, without missing a beat, no failures or errors at all!! I couldn't get the logging mode to work, I tried uni & bi-directional, but no data was retrieved, is it possible my wiring was incorrect for this format, even though it works in the monitor mode. Just for an example of what the VSD message looked like with no 'no responses', look at 7&8.txt. 7_8.txt 1122_with_failure.txt 2_8_with_failure.txt

Right, Have done some 'snooping' and have attached the results. I only used the standard monitor function, perhaps I need to go more in depth. When I had the sniffer on, there were a few errors that came through, so these should be evident in the files... I am having a closer look now. BS02_01.txt BS02_02.txt BS02_03.txt

I have downloaded your SuperMon files, looks like something I need to try. I should be able to do this with any 485/422 - 232 convertors, not specifically the Omron ones?

No, I only had the reference for the 3GMV invertor, there is definitely more info in those files. I have created a FB to do similar, but with only 3 function codes instead. Seems to work fine, apart from this issue...

Bear in mind that not all instructions work with CX-Simulator. Last time I checked, the PID instruction did not work. This may prove an issue if you are wanting to use something like MATLAB?

I would start with getting the basic modbus comms working first, starting/stopping/speed control etc. In your PLC file, you need to set the comm port to 'serial gateway'. The CP1 Modbus example Bertie posted has the example connections/configuration etc. You can also use 'mulitiway' to test your modbus comms, I found this most useful when doing modbus with a CP1H.

I would suggest forgetting about HMI tags and using direct referencing. HMI tags add to your application size, and are also slower than Direct Referencing. Just my 2c.

Using duplicated outputs is not very good practice, as the last output scanned will take precedence. So if in your program, the condition that enabled alarm on node1, is before the condition that enables forward on node2, then the condition for node2 will be the one that determines the state of the output. But, it all depends on how you are selecting the different parts of the program to operate?? . The best method, IMO, is to use an internal coil for each required area, and parallel these in a common outputs section at the end of your program.

What model Danfoss drive? Most of them now support Modbus natively, you could use a CP1L and do it that way. Much easier than trying to replicate the Danfoss FC protocol in standard ladder.... Do you have the option of using the M model, with 2 serial ports?

Kepware is pretty good as well Bob, has a lot or options as well. the only down side having to add the tags to the Kepware server, creates a bit of extra work, but not too much.

Good to hear, what did you find the problem was? So often people seek help, then never post if they found a solution. The more solutions posted, no matter how simple they are, help others in the future.