justwhy2003

Hi In the past i have interfaced Citect (version 5 i think) with a Mitsubishi Fx0n via RS232 serial communication and setting up the driver via MX component. Im now using a different computer that has a serial output and an adaptor to the RS232 cable. Im also using Citect version 7. I cant seem to get communications, i know there is differences in this version of Citect (clusters) but i think the problem is down to the communications. Could it be that the interface doesnt like the serial adaptor. Does this version of SCADA still use MX4 to set up the drivers? i dont see it included in the software package. If anyone has any input id really appreciate some help. Thanks Justin

Ive come across a manufacturer of inverters calld Yaskawa. Has anyone used these in the past? It says on their website that they are the largest drive manufacturer in Europe. They seem very competitive in price and would be interested to know if anyone had any good/bad experiences with them in he past. Justin

Hi I am working on SCADA system, National Instruments Lookout - Beijers OPC server - Mitsubishi Q Series PLC (via ethernet). This is quite an old system and reacenty the PC with the SCADA stopped working. I had made copies of all components and was able to get the system working again. I had to get Beijers to regenerate a key code for me which worked but they said that as the software is discontinued they cannot guarantee generating a code again if the same happens. We have a copy of Mitsubishi MX OPC server that I know is current and supported and was wondering is it possible to convert from one to the other? I can see options to export and import as CSV files but are they normally in the same format? I know the SCADA will just pick up the server if it exists on the computer so there must be some common ground. Would just be interested if anyone has done this before I try to get come CSV editing software (IT have locked down quite alot here) Thanks JT

Hi Karre_T Beijers have told me that the version i am using (V1) is 'quite old and discontinued'. They are recommending upgrading to V1.2 which I may do but would like to try this first. I have had success. I extracted the Beijers configuration in CSV and made a simple configuration in MX OPC and extracted it just to have the format. I then copied and pasted the Beijers informations into the allocated areas in the MX extraction and imported into the MX and it worked. However the MX comms with the SCADA are not as stable as the beijers. After a bit of digging I see the OPC set up has options for OPC 1 or OPC 2 and I can see in the manual for MX OPC 6.04 that Version 3 is mentioned. Maybe the newer MX OPC is not campatible with older SCADAs? I dont see anywhere in the MX config where I can change the version (if this is the case). I have asked Mitsibushi and am awaiting a response. Beijers say they have not heard of this but 'our BE OPC server follow the OPC DA v2.04' Would be interested to hear if anyone has come across this in the past. Thanks JT

Hi I am working on an existing project on a Q12H CPU. The original project was created and commissioned using GX Developer and has been running successfully for a number of years. I am now looking to upgrade the project to GX Works 2 prior to adding features to the control system and am in the process of converting to a structured project to download and test to make sure that everything works as usual before adding any code. I have completed the upgrade and can compile the project with no errors (only double coil warnings). I would like to simulate on my laptop but am getting the following error: 2400 File set error (see attachment for screen shot of explanation). It seems like it is automatically writing to the ROM. Is there somewhere I can select which memory to use? As a test I installed GX simulator and tried simulate on the original GX Developer program but see the same error. My laptop is running windows 7 professional 64 bit. Thanks in advance JT

Hi I have reacently installed 2 x Q02UCPU PLCs on 2 identical pumping stations. They have been running since installation last month. 1 station is pumping to the other and a radio link is now to be set up to allow for some parameters from either station to be sent to each other, sump levels, pressure etc and most importantly an inhibit signal from the 2nd station to tell the 1st station to stop pumping when there is a high level. I have 2 x QJ71MB91 modbus cards to add to each PLC to allow communications via the radio link and am planning to go to site next week to install. I have only just started working with Modbus this week and am trying to gather as much info as possible before my visit. I have the following questions: 1 - What is the basic set up? Do I need to change the configuration of each PLC, 1 to be a master and 1 a slave,or is this configuration setup in the Modbus cards? Is this even needed? 2 - If say I have 10 variables from each PLC to transmit to the other, do i attach PLC 1 variables to say 40000 to 400009 and PLC 2 to 400010 to 400019 to avoid conflict and then reallocate these to available registers in the receiving PLCs? 3 - Im using GX developer, will this allow me to make any changes I need to? Sorry if this is a bit basic but I thought better to ask now rather than when im on site. Thanks Justin

Update to the above. This works as an option. I set up a separate 6 PID loops using the S.PIDINIT and S.PIDCONT commands as well as the original 8 loops using PIDINIT and PIDCONT and can operate all PID loops at the same time. I hear another option may have been to download PID blocks from the Mitsubishi library but I have only heard about this last week and I got the S.PID option working a few weeks ago. If anyone has used the blocks option I would be interested to hear if they are comparable to the standard blocks and if there are any advantages/disadvantages to this as an alternative. Thanks JT

Greetings I am looking for a bit of advice on using PID in a Q25UDHCPU. I am using GX Works 2. I am modifying a program that has 8 PID loops configured in complete derrivative mode. I cannot change the original program but can add additional code to it. I need to add 6 PID loops to the program. This would be fairly easy to do except that as the PIDINIT and PIDCONT commands need about 142 and 261 consecutive words for the configuration of 14 loops. I cannot extend the current configuration words due to other addresses in the program. As an alternative, I can see in the manual that complete and incomplete derrivative should be able to run at the same time "Since the incomplete derivative PID control instructions and complete derivative PID control instructions are independent of each other, they can be executed at the same time." I was hoping to set up 6 incomplete derrivative loops using a different range and the S.PIDINT and S.PIDCONT commands. I have tried this today but didnt have it working as I left, will return to it next week. Has anyone done this or had any experience in using both at the same time? Should this work? Thanks JT

Thanks Gambit I still had a fault 3300 (IO error) until I deleted the Intelligent modules from my project tree and then 3105 (link error) until I deleted my cc link configurations by making the number of modules = 0. Until this was done I couldn't put the CPU into run. At present my CPU is in run (even though there is an error present (4100 operation error). I should be able to make changes to my logic now and test then undo the above changes when I reinsert the CPU into the rack. Thanks again. JT

Hi Working with a Q26UDH CPU that is for a multi rack system with Ethernet comms to SCADA. At present I have the CPU back on my desk with the working existing configuration in the CPU. I would like to be able to test additional logic and comms to test version of the SCADA on my desk but the CPU doesn't seem to like that the configured IO cards are not actually there (CC Link masters, DI, DO, AI, AO). I have tried downloading a separate test program with only the Ethernet card configured (works fine) then downloading only the program section of the working program. This doesn't work, I keep getting error 3300 (IO of intelligent function module is different than configuration). I have also been looking at the section of the Parameter/IO Assignment/Detailed Setting and set all cards "PLC Operation mode at H/W error" to continue but this doesn't make a difference. Is there a setting that I can make to tell the PLC ignore the missing cards and execute the logic? I am using GX Works 2 (if it makes a difference the project I am using was converted from GX developer and converted to a structured project in the past). Thanks JT

Hi I am working through a project using GX Works 2 for a Q12H CPU. I have approx. 52 analogue inputs to process and have created a block to do this with 7 networks (limiting, scaling, high and low alarms, 10 inputs, 8 outputs). My question relates to the number of pointers allocated to each block. In my device/label automatic assign area I have a pointer range of 2048 - 4095 (2048) when I populate my 52 function names in the global label section I have an error that the number of pointer points falls shorts. ok so I delete and start inserting one at a time and can see that for each function block there are 186 pointers used (53 words, 12 bits, 6 timers). Is there anything I can do to reduce this? It seems like a bit much for a 7 network function and it doesn't look good for the rest of my program as I am only setting up my IO at this stage and have used up my pointer range already.... I have attached a screen shot of my scaling block, networks (reduced to 3 networks with no difference in pointer counts) and the local label for reference. Thanks JT

Crossbow Thanks. I checked in the PLC file section and the device initial value area was directed to the device initial value of the program memory. I switched this to not used and the error cleared. However I still get an operational error. Mitsubishi have said that it is probably because I have 8 PIDs in the program. Is there any way to simulate without deleting these? Thanks JT

Hi Ive been configuring my alarms in Citect 7.1. I was ok with some of my alarms showing in run time no problem but now i keep getting the following error: Failed to load the alarm save file. The file 'ALMINDEXSAVE.DAT' was corrupt or invalid Citect could not be started. Why would this be happening if some of my alarms were working until now and my project if compiling fine with no errors. I heard in the past that if you delete the primary alarm server address in the setup wizard, Citect makes a new one auto matically. Ive done this but am still receiving this error. Any ideas... Justin

Hi I have configured a 1200 with various pieces of hardware, GPRS modem, Comfort HMI, analogue input cards with no issues vai Tia Portal. I am not trying to include a Simocode Pro V to the project via a CM1243-5 profius dp master. I can include the hardware from the online catalogue (the online only has v1.0 of the profibus card while the card is v1.1 firmware but Siemens have said this shouldnt be an issue). The project compiles but the hardware config will not upload to the device. The only difference I can see is that the Simocode is V3.0.0 while the TIA catalogue only have V1.0 or 2.0 available. Has anyone else come across this and have you managed to make communications? I can make comms via Simocode ES. Any help appreciated. justin

Hi, I'm about to start a project where there is a device that requires communications to an S7-1200 via 232. I have the structure for the message frame required and know there is some scripting involved but was hoping to find an example project for the 1200 to get me started. Has anyone carried out something like this and is there any documentation available to help with the scripting application? Thanks Justin

Earlier i was playing around with the Startup function setup in the Computer setup Wizard in Citect 7.1. Now for some reason when i start up (with no licence key) the runtime doesnt ask if id like to run in Demo mode but runs for abput 10-20 secondds and then displays the following error: No protection Key found or no licence available from network. Pressing ok States a Software protection failure and runtime closes down. I have changed back anything i changed in the Setup Wizard but the error remains. Has anyone came across this before?

I have since had some technical help from INSYS and we are pretty sure that PLC communications with at least GX developer via the seriel modem is not very good and is to do with timing. I have been looking into using an ethernet based solution that sets up the modem at the PLC side as a VPN client and I have downloaded an Open VPN server in my receiving computer. I have made communications between the two and can connect my internal network to an IP address that is connected to the remote modem with good results. I now need to get my hands on a PLC with an ethernet port and I should beable to make good communications via the GPRS network :D

Ive made communications between a Mitsubishi FX3G and Citect 7.10 via a GPRS modem. On the FX3G I have connected a FX3G-232-BD and connected that to my GPRS modem (Insys) via a standard modem cable. This connects to receiving software that creates a Virtual com port in my laptop that I have connected to Citect. To test the communications I made a lamp and a number in Citect and connected them to M0 and a register in the PLC, set M0 and placed value 40 in the register. The graphics are showing up on Citect with no dots but the lamp flashes on and off and the value in the number display changes from 0 to 1 and back again, Ive seen it at 40 maybe once or twice. Is there something I can configure in Citect to control the way information is transferred i.e. polling rates, I have my communications set at 19200, 7 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit. Eventually I would like to purchase OPC software to interface with and generate an SQL data base based on the data transferred from the PLC but at the moment I'm testing the comms/concept with Citect only. Justin

Hi Im trying to connect a FX3G to my PC via a GPRS modem to enevtually connect to an OPC server. The modem is an INSYS device that has a Serial connection, this then connects to software in my computer via TCP/IP and presents the data on a virtual serial COM port for the connecting software to make interface with the PLC (as though it is connected direct on my desk). My question is to do with the cable connection between the PLC and modem. The 9 way D connector on the modem is female. I was planning to use my serial programming cable (with dongle) to connect to GX developer or a simple Citect program to check Im making communications. However it is also female to connect to the mle connection on my PC. I was planning to get a gender changer from RS to allow a connection but was wondering if there is a different cable used for PLC to modem connection than PLC to PC connection? I also have a USB connection on the FX but my USB/serial adapter requires drives in the connecting PC to work. Justin

I wasnt making much progress so I left it for a few weeks and though about things. When I returned to the project yesterday I made communications in about 15 minutes :) I think I was very close before but communications were being upset by a USB/serial converter so I used an older laptop with standard built in RS232 port. I followed Inntele's steps, made communications straight between PLC and Citect using FX232-CAB-1 cable and FX3G-232-BD and computer link ,and can do this at speeds below the 9600 available with the programming tool protocol. I then connected the 232 BD port to the modem using a null modem cable and the receiving virtual comms port to Citect. Again I have tried this at different baud rates (it seems the faster the rate the better the comms). I now have comms between the PLC and Citect via GPRS. However what I am receiving at my Citect screen isnt very stable. As a test I made a lamp based on M0 on the screen and a number based on a register. I put a value of 40 in the register and set M0. On the Citect screen the lamp flashes and the value changes from 0 to 1 and only sometimes to 40. I will make a new topicin the HMI/SCADA section but think I am getting close to where I need to be, and this is something relatively simple to do with update rates in the CItect setup. Thanks for your help so far. Justin

Ok thank you. I was referring to the communications manual but I took it step by step through the 'Programming Communication' section and can now switch on and off this communication as required via a FX-232CAB-1 cable. I also used that communication to interface with Citect as a further test using the MELSFX2N driver. As discussed earlier I would now like to try and communicate with Citect using Baud rates lower that 9.6K. I have went through the 'Computer Link' section in the communication manual and made up the cable for RS232 on page 253. I set the communications as required in the PLC System (2) including ticking the 'Operate Communication Settings' box , downloaded and restarted the PLC. I dont seem to be making communications with Citect. Before I start trying different configurations etc, should I be using a different driver than MELSFX2N in Citect for Computer Link?

When you talk about the Programming tool protocol I presume you are referring to 'Online -> Transfer Setup'. Yes in here the baud rate cannot go below 9.6kB. So then my other option is to use the computer link in the 'Parameter -> PLC Paramater -> PLC System 2'. If I use this option, I think I need to use a different cable to connect the 232-BD to my PC and again a different cable to connect the PLC to my modem...? Further to this... I made the cable up from the communication manual for connecting the 232 BD to a PC via computer link mode. It connects to GX Developer via this at 9.6 kB/s. I also interfaced it with a Citect program. Im planning to lower the baud rate and use Citect to test the operation. When I lower the Baud rate to 1200 kB/s i dont have comms any more with Citect. Even after i change the settings in PLC system (2) back to 9600, upload and power cycle it wont re-connect on RS232 even to GX (im programming these changes via USB and testing on RS232). Am I missing something obvious...?

I made up a null-modem cable and crossed pins 2 and 3, this connects to GX Dev directly with no problems. The problem seem like it is with the communication speeds...? I cant set the Transmission speed below 9.6Kbps on the Transfer setup, is there any way around this?

I got a modem cable from the manufacturer of the modem. It is as shown in Inntele's diagram. I have tried different transmission speeds for the RS232C interface with GX Developer but am still getting 'The data which was downloaded from the PLC is incorrect'.....etc. error. The RX/TX lights at the modem and 232-BD connection are flashing so there is at least some communications via the GPRS. Should the GX developer be able to recognise data coming via the modem cable in this fashion? I have seen another example where the RX and TX pins are crossed over, im going to try that. Is there anywhere I can look to see the underlaying information that determines what type of cable is required for PLC - Modem, PLC - PC for future reference...?

OK, think Im making some progress here. I have got a FX3G-232BD and connected it into my FX3G (was waiting on the part hence the delay). I then connected what I thought was a modem cable between the FX3G and the modem. My GX developer is directed to the virtual com port set up by the receiving software. In GX communication settings I increased the time out value to allow for transmission via the GPRS and hit test. There was no communications but the RX/TX light on my modem flashed a few times so there is some sort of communication going on there. Upon testing the cable it is just straight through connections i.e. 1 - 1, 2 - 2 etc. So now I need a modem cable. I presume these should be fairly easy to get hold of...? I took a look on a few internet cable sites but again they seem to be female to female where I need male to female. Is there a difference in a modem cable and a Null modem cable? If I had the pin out for the cable required, i could make it up myself. Justin