chrisbramall

Heres the AIC+ manual AB_AIC_Network_Interface.pdf

Yes and it works fine. For an SLC with a RS232 Port the SLC RS232 Port to AIC Mini Din Port using 1761-CBL-AP00 PC RS232 port to AIC RS232 Port using 1747-CP3 hope this helps , Chris

Not all SLC analogue outputs are class 1 devices. we have been using the spectrum controls version of the analogue output card which provides 4 isolated channels and also digital status flags. This is why I asked which card you were using. Alternativly but adding cost is to loop the signal back through an analogue input card so you can monitor the actual signal that you are outputing if it is that critical.

the fault status is provided as digital bit flags. I think these vary depending on the analogue card but should be detailed in the status word assignment list for the particular card.

Have you used the siemens for very much. We are going to be using them on pumping stations and large water treatment works both as stand alone units and as networked systems that are far far more complex than just pluging in an iron !!!!!

Don't you mean way to go accountants, they have just spent the last 5 years standardizing on one PLC manufacturer to minimize costs and allow greater compatability and now all of us who do work for them have to go out and buy new software and learn the vagaries of another PLC manufacturer when we've just about ironed out all the kinks with the Allan Bradley Gear.

more trouble than its worth, It sound s like a good idea initially but when you get into problems becomes a nightmare. remember that some else might be following you in weeks, months or years and any program should be structured and documented in a way that can be easily understood.

Why is it that things which seem complex to start off with suddenly looks to be simple when the right idea is pointed out. Thanks for all your suggestions.

We've all seen the swipe card access systems used in hotels. Well i've got a customer who has a tanker delivery system for waste products on his site. The tanker delivery system is offloaded to a treatment system which is controlled by an SLC5/03 PLC.  In order to restrict access and record data about who, when & howmuch is offloaded he wants to put a swipe card onto the PLC. Has anybody seen this done or better still know where I can get a compatible swipe card reader ?

Well it looks like this topic went down like a lead ballon ! Has anybody seen anything like this done befoer or am I just over complicating things.

Don't forget, the old adage still applies. with most companys you need experience to get the job. but how do you get the job in the first place ? Education is important but you must remember it is only a step. Many people go through the entire education system along one path and then end up doing something totally unrelated because they have no experience. Talk to companys local to where you live or study, preferably one where you have a contact to get your foot in the door even if it is only for pin money.

on a side note, I take it you are using a panelview to enter the required level ? Why don't you just set the data entry limits to minimum 4m maximum 7m then the operator can't set a level outside the acceptable range. Best regards, Chris.

Several of our customers are now specifying the isolated input and output cards from spectrum controls which do offer the option to use engineering scaled inputs and outputs which do make it easier to follow or fault find from the real world to the Software. Best Regards, Chris Bramall, UK

Have you thought of posting the code to the level control program to get some feedback. Also I notice that your using engineering units for the input card  but not for the output card. Any particular reason ? Best Regards, Chris Bramall, UK

The setpoint should be scaled over the same span as the level signal. If the tank level from the level meter is 10m then 00m =  4000 (I/P) = 0 (PID ) 10m = 20000 (I/P) = 16383 (PID) If you have entered the setpoint from the LOI in m then you would use 0 for the IP/Min setting and 10,000 for the IP/Max

Well guys all smiles here. Got the second PLC up and running today. Reconfigured the KE cards and it works. The radios are running at 19200 baud and transfer around 100 words of data per second. the main problems I had after sorting the KE cards was configuring the MSG function correctly. I am reading 50 words and writing 50 words. Originally they could both transmit at once onto the network and I found that it tended to swamp the DH485 networks leading to errors on the panelviews. After reseting them into a sequence so that only one transmits at a time I could even undertake on line programming on one PLC whilst connected to the AIC unit at the other PLC. Still needs a bit of fine tuning as additional kit comes on line but that will be over then next two months. Thanks to all those that helped and all who were interested enough to read

Has anybody used a KE card before. I've got a project on the go which should work but hitting configuration problems. I am basically networking two SLC5/04  PLC's which have no available cable route. What I have used is SLC5/04< -> AIC <-> KE <-> Radio --- Radio <-> KE <-> AIC <-> SLC 5/04 Also connected to the AIC unit on each end is a panelview 600 the panelview 600's and the AIC are using the DH485 protocol. The KE card is configured to convert from DH485 to DF1 for the radio on both sides. The problem is when i've got the system together I can see one side but not the other. If I connect direct to the radio I can see the PLC & HMI on the other system. Any ideas !!!

Further to an email today from Ken asking if the advice he had given was successful. unfortuanately due to problems on site the second half on the communications link is not up and running yet. We should be powering up on Friday so i'll let you know.

To transfer between various machines at work i always use .rss and also export database to external files. I have also got logix configured so it does not use projects, this forces it to save everything in the directory I want. This has the result of making it much simpalar to synchronize the laptop to the network. For the forum however save as .rss with export database into a single directory. The zip the lot up to post. not only will it make it easier to post but also quicker. Best Regards, Chris Bramall, Barnsley UK

Why don't you post the program as an attachment to your post and let others have a look at what you've done and we may be able to see whats wrong. Best Regards Chris Bramall Barnsley, UK

Thanks for the explanation. Keep up the good work and I can see your logic in using a system that can cope with large amounts of data as i'm sure this site will become very successful . Best Regards Chris

Thats not an Omron PLC that I know, but i'm sure anything is possible ! It's not good manners just to post and ask for replies to your email account as the whole point of a forum is that we can all learn from each other, or am I missing something ?

So far so good, this forum still has a long way to go but as more automationists see the light and join it will develop. The only thing that I found that bugs me is the way every time you post or modify anything you get the silly banner with the "click here if you don't want to wait" Is there any reason for it because personnally if there isn't i'd dump it !!

Well It's D Day on monday. As the system will be powered up in anger for the first time. If it does not work then the sh1t will really hit the fan! and before you tell me off for using foul language the PLC is involved in transfer of sludges on a sewerage works to the digesters, so it is appropriate. I'll try and post back over the coming fortnight on my progress, trials and tribulations just incase someone is interested. If not I suppose you'll all tell me to stop waffling.

The C2000H simplex and Duplex are standard units within some of the water authorities that I do subcontract work for. The first C2000H system I did was about 9 years ago using the old LSS dos based programming software. The newer installations both for the C2000H and toe CQM have been using the syswin software. It's a strange market in the UK with alot of the work we are involved in being modifications to existing systems where you can trip over a whole host of varying PLC system, all of which technically are outdated but for the applications they are being used for are quite  upto the job. Ill have a dig through my software library and see what I can post to the software library.