METSYSTEM

Hi all, Did a quick search in the forum to see if this has been asked before but couldn't see anything jumping out. I have what appears to be an issue in making a third party RTU using a DF1 enabled RS232 port talk to a PLC5. Background: The device talks seamlessly to a SLC500 with the CH0 set up as a standard DF1 Slave. I have replicated the setup like for like on the PLC5, I'm also happy that the cable between (the 25Way Sub) is as it should be. Problem is, no data exchanges are happening, none of my PLC values are registering. The COMM light on the PLC5 is flickering periodically (almost as if its trying to periodically service a request from the master) but then times out. The RTU is scanning one N31 and one N32 integer so really small. I recall (10 years or so ago) that when using a different telemetry device (Serck 2000M with PR27 DF1 card) I had to specifically set the PR27 to read PLC5 registers over SLC500 ones. This suggests that maybe there is an inherent difference between a PLC5 NRegister and a SLC500 NRegister?? I do not have the availability of setting my new RTU to scan PLC5 type registers so this may mean I am going back to the vendor. Before I do I was wondering if anyone here had come across this before? Any advice would be awesome Thanks Alex

Joe yes, that is a very good point. I am aware of these different types. If only I had that in my memory banks when on the phone to Rockwell!! I could have forced him to think a bit harder I'll let you know how I get on in due course

Thank you all for helping with this, I have been on the phone with Rockwell today. We set up a DF1 polling master with my PC in RSLinx to prove the PLC5 and my cable. You are absolutely right, it worked with the 2,3,5 to 2,3,7 cable. The registers are correct. N30:0 (1element long) and N31:0 (1element long) are created in the PLC5 (just as they are in the SLC500) and this is what the 3rd party unit is configured to scan for. Works on the SLC500 not the PLC5??? Anyway, all roads point to the DF1 driver in the 3rd party RTU and so I will be writing to the manufacturer to explore this further. The thing that's niggling me is what I had to do in the old Serck 2000M. The PR27 card (DF1 interface card) had to be set to look for PLC5 registers over SLC500 otherwise it wouldn't work however, Rockwell assured me today that they are the same across the platforms so did not understand why that was happening. Anyway, I will post back when I get an update Cheers

Thanks, We have done this but still not helping. I guess I'm back to the theory that the way the N Registers are presented in PLC5 are different in SLC500?? Any help would be really appreciated Thanks

Just to add I have used the below translation for my 9-25 end. The Micrologix uses the 9pin terminals 2,3 and 5. I have just transferred this to the 25pin as 2,3 and 7   I have not linked the equivalent 4-6 or 7-8

Hi, Ok, the RSS is a Micrologix which works to our 3rd Party RTU IR_DEV_simmon is the PLC5 which I believe matches exactly in terms of CH0 but no luck. Anything you spot would be great Thanks CIRENCESTER_MICROLOGIX_INVERTED.RSS IR_DEV_simmon.RSP

Thank you both, The literature does seem to suggest some differences. I will give it a whirl on the test bench and let you know Cheers

Hi,   Yes, I used an RSLinx 232 driver and hit AutoConfigure to get online with the PLC5 so I could then set the IP address. Once I had that, I was online with the PLC through IP and able to try different settings on the CH0 Setting the Baud as low as 1200 (19.2k is the norm) meant the COMM LED just flashed a bit slower but no luck with the tag updates. A point to note, the 3rd Party device was showing DF1 Comms Status as true, we just weren't getting any values. Thanks  

Ok, so I meant 2.52 not 2.6. I have now tried a seperate VM running XP and 2.54 (the oldest version I could get from the download centre.) no difference, the exact same behaviour. This cements the theory that the issue is to do with the 485 network struggling with the new gateway hardware. I had no option but to set up messaging between all these PLCs and the one SLC/500 5/05. This is now my SCADA master for all tags. Not ideal but the only way to do it without rewiring the site network. Not even Rockwell could work it out. Cheers for trying

Evening all, I have an interesting issue with RSLinx. Currently upgrading an old windows NT SCADA server to a new Server 2008R2 system. The old Windows NT server has an older RSLinx version installed and communicates to the PLC network via an RS-232 - DF1 Devices driver, configured as 1770-KF3/1747-KE. It uses the old 'big grey interface box' (part number not known), that, I assume, converts the RS232 from the PC to the RS485 for the PLC's, this system works just fine, all PLC's communicating nicely in Linx. The issue I now face is that the new 2008R2 server is a new Dell R320 and has to connect via Ethernet. I have installed a CLX gateway with Ethernet card and 485 card and have linked to the PLC network via the AIC Link coupler. The problem I seem to be facing is the PLC's appear in the driver hierarchical tree but only stay healthy for 1-2 secs at a time. Most of the time they just have Comm error 00000020 and my system cant see them. I'm lost now, I have spoken with Rockwell and they cant understand it either?? The legacy network operates fine, the new system is setup as per manufacturers recommendations, and every now and again, I can see the PLC's, they just don't stay active for very long. Is the Ethernet card forcing the 485 network to poll faster than its capable?? See attached screen shot Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated Many thanks

Just a further thought on this, one of the older engineers has mentioned that it might be because we are running a newer version of RSLinx? Does that sound likely? Legacy system runs 2.6 new system is in the 3s?

Hey thanks, no the box has been removed and the new card has definitely got a unique node id. There are 6 PLCs numbered 1-6 and the card is numbered 0, I have also tried it as 10

Sorry, forgot to mention, The SLC500 emulator is real easy to set up, that's why I'm confused with the logix5000? Surely it would be easier, or at the very least, on par with the legacy system Cheers

Hi all, I have been trying to emulate an exisiting logix5000 project but am struggling somewhat. All the online help I have found so far is just showing me how to set up emulator with a new project. I.e. set up the controller from scratch. What I need to do, is take a project code from an exisiting process, make my changes and then test on the emulator. I did it once but as soon as I downloaded the project to the emulator controller I got near on 900 errors as the code couldn't resolve the I/O. If anyone knows of a technote that advises on existing code emulation that would be great. Just to be brave, I actually want to set up multiple emulators and have a couple of codes running at the same time so I can test SCADA I/O, is this possible? Cheers for now Alex

Morning, Has anyone else had any issues when installing FTView Enterprise V7 on a windows 8 machine? My installer wont get past the install IIS page, it states that IIS is not installed correctly even though I have followed the crib sheet on how to enable all the relevant tick boxes in the programs section through turn windows features on and off? I have also installed the latest IIS from the Microsoft download site. Any ideas would be great, I cant seem to find a tech note on this Cheers

I think I have also had a similar issue like the one mentioned. From memory I believe its your OS running 64bit. The way I got round it was to install an XP virtual machine, it worked first time. (SP3 I believe) although XP is no longer supported, I still use it for my older protocols Cheers

Good evening, (UK, afternoon USA) I was wondering if there was, floating around anywhere, or anyone knew of, an addon or function block that converts an analogue (REAL) to a pulsed BOOL? I am more conversant with Rockwell and am hoping someone can help, however, my final application will actually be in the Schneider Unity Pro environment. (Don't ask, its not through choice) Thanks in advance to any help Much obliged Alex

Just been wondering, Would it be possible (and is it advisable) to source another CPU to use as my HMI? I was thinking, maybe I could use a new touch screen windows8 CPU, build a VM and run my client on this. As long as I had a DVD burner I could still log my Alarms and Trends. Any opinions?? Cheers

I would imagine this to be a very quickly resolved Thread..... Is it possible to online edit function blocks in logix5000? I was on site today and was trying to change some tags that where used within a function block routine. I was unable to whilst online but could do it offline Any one else had this issue?? Cheers

Good day, I have been scratching my head for a while now and hope that someone can help me with a control function. The Process Variable is a single Analogue input 4-20mA (Dissolved Oxygen) The Control Variable is 3x Analogue outputs 4-20mA (Air blower speed) The setpoint is a fixed integer from an HMI. I have been told that cascading PID loops is a good way of doing this due to the huge change in the process varable throughout the day. Is this a good method, and if so are then any usefull tips for it with regards to SLC500 logic. Many thanks in advance Alex

Guys thanks for your help, It would appear I was barking up the wrong tree with cascading loops. What I should do is use one PID controller. Start the first blower, if that blower cant maintain then drop it down to the low speed setpoint with the PID in manual, then bring the second blower in with the first and put th PID back to auto so they ramp together. Apply the same with the third blower as well. I will see what I can do Cheers

Gents, I have just purchased a new Verbatim 1TB USB harddrive and have installed VMWare Workstation on my "Real" computer. I have been building Virtual machines on the VMWare and putting them, (Their memory) on the external drive. (This is to support rockwells multi version FTView SE packages) The VMs install fine, However; As soon as I restart the main machine the external harddrive starts having problems. In "My Computer" it flashes between recognised and not there. Then eventually tells me that the hrdware has failed to install correctly even though it was running fine prior to the VMs being installed . Im completely baffled by this. The only thing I can do is mount the drive on another machine, delete all VMs which then lets my laptop see it again. Any advise would really be appreciated Best Regards Alex

Ken & Joe Thanks I will give all this a try and respond once sorted Many Thanks

Good day, I have just upgraded to FTView SE Ver6.10 and its lovely (Although upgrading meant I had to install a VM as the base station was throwing a wobbly) What I'm, wondering is if there is somewhere I can download the previous versions. I have a full Techsupport contract. If I have a current liscence (I.E. for my ver6) does that mean I can download all previous versions at no charge?? Now I have cracked the VM I feel that will be the way to go. Host my liscence on the Base Station (server based), then create an individual VM for each version. Please, any advise on this would be great Regards Alex

Joe thanks thats realy helpful. Just to pry further; I am assuming I will need to set a static IP on the "real" computer?? Also I dont have a HASP so I was hoping not to have to use it so am pleased I dont have to. I will give that a go and see what comes of it. Thanks again Alex