bimini3

I had a similar problem. I found out it was due to me moving the tag database window to my second screen. (I have dual screens on my desk via a docking station). When I went on the road and ran with a single screen, RS studio was still putting the tag database on the second screen that was not there. There was no way of clicking on OK or Cancel so it locked RS Studio up waiting for a reply from me that I could not give without a second screen. It does not automatically move the window to the only functioning screen and the only way to repair it is to get the PC set up with dual screens and then move the window back to the 1st screen. (a real pain in the behind when you are on the road and all alone) Now, I never move the RS studio windows to the 2nd screen out of fear of forgeting to return them to the main screen before I hit the road. I know this occurs on the tag database window, not sure of the others.

Also, if you have RSview Sudio installed on your PC you can run the .mer application in "demo mode" (click the running guy icon in studio). It will run fine on the PC for a period of time (maybe 30 minutes). But then you have to close the .mer application and re-open it. This is great for debugging panelview software on the PC. (You do need to be connected to the system network so that you are connected to the PLC and other device tags to get them to tie into teh panelview application properly. If the PC is remote and you need to connect to the live system via a gateway you may need to change the RSlinx enterprise setup to get it to work. If you are connected to the live system on the same network subnet as the Panelview then it should work without altering the Linx Enterprise setup. You can also buy a runtime license that will allow it to run without the timeout. I'm not sure what the price is now. I've programmed Scada sytems that used RSview ME & SE running on a desktop PC. Works almost the same as the panelview (plus you can call and run other programs 3rd part or OS programs via active X pushbuttons on the Rview application screen(s).

Here are some answers/views on some of your questions. 1) One control transformer should be okay. You may need to increase the size of transformer for the inrush current of the contactor coils since you have so many of them. Some contactors have inrush currents 10x greater than thier hold in currents. If several contactors energize at once you could see very significant voltage drops if the transformer is undersized. 2.)Since you have a UL508A requirement you must use a UL listed enclosure for the environment you are going into. Dry /non-dust = NEMA1, Dry/dusty = NEMA 12, Wet = NEMA 4, Wet/caustic or acitic = NEMA 4x, outdoor rainproof = NEMA 3R. 3.) UL508A & common practice in the US dictate that one side of the transformer secondary be tied to ground. That will be the white neutral phase. There are exceptions if there is a real necessity to have an ungrounded secondary (then both phases would be red). Best to ground if possible. With ratings over NEMA one you need to pay attention what holes you punch into the cabinet. If there is a hole it has bto be filled with a UL device rated for the environment. You cannot just punch a hole in an encolusre to mount it. 4.)To protect a 1KVA transformer you will need Short Circuit protection on both primay phases and 1 fuse/CB on the non-grounded secondary. The secondary is sized @ 125% (max). The primary is 175% max (fuse) or 250% max (thermal CB). Primary fuses/CBs should have slow trip caracteristics to avoid blowing the priimaries when power is shut off (kick-back current). 5.) never used the omron device. Years ago protecting SCRs from short circuit was difficult. The SCR would blow before the high speed fuse or CB. Some new SCRs are self protected from downstream faults.

Just shut off power to the PLC. This is one of the nice thing about PLCs over PCs and other devices, they do not require any special power down sequence. Contrologix is like any other PLC just remove power. Now, in your machine or system you may want to program a power down sequence to properly power down the machine or system and you can do that within the PLC logic. Just keep the PLC alive during the machine power down sequence.

I just got involved with an Ehternet IP project. The company I am working for is (and has been) buying dual port Ring compatible items when possible, but have not made use of the ring topology yet. (not sure why). The job is a Guard Logix processor with a couple of 1756-EN2TR ethernet modules. There with a few racks of point IO (with some Safety IO modules) using the 1734-ANTR communications adapters. There will be a few 755 drives also and a panelview plus HMI. Currently there is a Hirshmann 16 point switch in the project. I am considering dropping the Hirshmann switch and getting 20-750-ENETR ring compatible communication modules for the 755 drives. (It pulls up as a valid part on AB's website but I am not 100% certain if they are really out yet). This only leaves the panelview to get onto the ring and I am thinking of using the 1783-ETAP adapter to get that last piece on the ring. Has anyone worked with AB's ring topology yet? Any problems? Any words of wisdom? I've worked with ring topologies before in other brands of products and like the cabling redunancy the ring gives and like being able to daisy chain the cabling instead of having to run it all back to a central hub. Should I go with the flow (star network) or try something new and different at this company (ring)?