Index

1 SETTING UP COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PLC AND COMPUTER ..............................................................2 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 SETTING UP IP-ADDRESS ON YOUR COMPUTER.................................................................................................................2 SETTING UP RSLINX..............................................................................................................................................................4 READING IP-ADDRESS OF PLC ............................................................................................................................................6 CONNECT ION TO THE PLC USING RS232 SERIAL COMMUNICATION.............................................................................7

This document
This document describes how to establish communication between your PC and other hardware using the software RSLinx.

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

Setting up communication between PLC and computer

In order to communicate with the PLC from your computer you have to set up the communication first. Setting up the communication and a short introduction to the programming software is described in the following chapters. 1.1 Setting up IP-address on your computer

As mentioned above you have to set up the communication between your computer and the PLC. First you have to set up the IP-address on your own computer. 1. Right click on the My network places on the desktop on your computer and choose properties (egenskaber).

2.

A new screen appears. Right click on the LAN-connection icon and choose properties (egenskaber).

Now the properties panel for the LAN-connection should appear. Double click on Internetprotocol (TCP/IP) to enter the properties panel for the Internet protocol.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

3. In the properties panel for the Internet protocol the IP-address for your computer can be entered.

Some machines are connected to the internal network of Gram Equipment A/S via CISCO box. A VPN connection is established and the computer is working exactly as if you are in Vojens. In that case you have to choose automatic assignment of the IP-address on your computer. Otherwise you choose to enter your own IP-address and subnet mask. The IP-address should be chosen so the first three numbers are the same as the IP-address of PLC. The last number must be a number between 1 255 that is not used anywhere else. The subnet mask may always be entered as shown above. 4. Press OK to make the new IP-address active.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

1.2

Setting up RSLinx

The Programming software communicates with the PLC via the program RSLinx. In this program you have to set up what units you want to communicate to. 1. Open RSLinx.

2.

When RSLinx is opened the screen shown below appears.

Open the Configure Drivers-menu under the menu bar Communications.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

3. Next the Configure Drivers-menu appears.

When the menu appears the line marked by A should appear. If not Ethernet devices-driver has to be chosen under B followed by pushing Add New. Next you have to push the Configure -button (C ) to set up what units to communicate to. 4. Now you can enter the IP-addresses for the units you want to communicate to.

You can now enter the IP-addresses for the units you want to communicate to. There can be entered one IP-address for each station number.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

5. Press OK to make the settings active. RSLinx is now configured. You can now close the Configure Drivers menu. To check that the connection is established open RSWho under the communications menu

6.

A screen will now appear that presents the connections from your computer.

Under the Ethernet- folder you get a graphical overview of the status of the connections. Units marked with a red crosses are not available.

1.3

Reading IP-address of PLC

In order to get in contact with a PLC you need to know the IP-address of the unit. If you need to get in contact with a CLX PLC (dark grey PLC unit) you can read the IP-address direct from the Ethernet card (Communication card in the PLC rack). The IP-address will be shown in the digital display.

On some units the IP-address cannot be read directly. In these cases you have to either contact the electric design department in Vojens or connect using RS232 as described in the next chapter.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

1.4 Connection to the PLC using RS232 serial communication

If you are not able read the IP-address direct from the PLC or if the Ethernet doesnt work you can connect via serial RS232 communication. You have to open RSLinx as described chapter 1.2 and after that open Configure Driver under the Communications menu bar. 1. Choose RS-232 DF1 devices as shown on the figure below and click on add new.

2.

You will now be asked to enter a name for the new driver. Accept the default name by clicking on OK. A screen for configuring the serial communication will now appear.

3.

You now have to choose what device you want to connect to. PLC PanelView Standard : Logix 5550/CompactLogix : SLC-CH0/Micro/PanelView

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

4. Then click on the Auto-Configure button. The computer now tries to connect to the unit. A successful connection will be indicated as show below

If the computer fails to connect to the unit the RS232 cable might be defective or the serial communication port on the computer is maybe used by some other program (try to restart the computer). 5. 6. Once the connection to the unit is established you can close the Configure Drivers menu. As in chapter 1.2 you can open RSWho under the Communication menu bar to see the status of the connection.

The serial connection is named DF1 as default and will be displayed in the same way as the Ethernet connections. Now that the connection is established you are able to read the IP-address of the Ethernet module.

Locate the Ethernet module in the system and right click on it. The Ethernet module is most times called either ENBT or is an integrated part of the PLC controller in slot 00. Choose Module Configuration.

20-04-2005

Introduction to Allen Bradley systems Using the PLC-programming software

In the module configuration you choose the menu Port Configuration where you can read or change the IP-address.

Be sure that the Static Network Configuration Type is marked. Otherwise you cannot be sure that the unit has the same IP-address next time it is powered up. Once you know the IP-address it is recommended to go online with the PLC using the Ethernet connection because of the speed and ability to go online with more than one unit at a time.

20-04-2005