adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Created Date: October 01,2005
Created By: rvaughn801
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I have been tasked with connecting a Wonderware Intouch app to a 440 CPU. I have looked at the KepDirect server, and also using the WW Modbus server. Because there may be other brands of PLCs to link to the Wonderware app, it may be an advantage to buy Wonderware with I/O and use the Modbus interface. From the online docs, it appears the D3-DSCBL-2 cable would be correct for this. In the Wonderware Modbus server setup, there are a bunch of settings: 1. Slave Device Type: 584/984 PLC (default), 484 PLC, E Model PLC (6 digit), Micro84 PLC 2. String Variable Style: Full Length, C style, Pascal style 3. Register Type: Binary or BCD 4. Block I/O Sizes (defaults): Coil Read (2000), Coil Write (800), Register Read (125), Register Write (100) Under setup secondary settings (DirectSoft 32) there are settings for: 1. Parity (None, Odd) 2. Protocol (Hex, ASCII) 3. Baud Rate Question: Are there some reasonable settings I can start with? I have the WW Intouch app cabled to the PLC, but the Modbus read fails (is red) on the Modbus server screen. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Created Date: October 01,2005
Created by: Tech Guy
The first thing you need is THIS. It will save much time converting the DirectLogic memory addresses into the MODBUS equivalents.
The D3-DSCBL-2 will work fine.
Offhand I think these settigns will work. Obviously I am at home now and don't have access to my libary so please cut me some slack if I don't hit it exactly on the head.
1. Slave Device Type: 584/984 PLC (default)
2. String Variable Style: Full Length,
3. Register Type: Binary (assuming this means what I think it means)
4. Block I/O Sizes (defaults)
Set the Baud and parity for the PC port in WW to match the PLC port. PLC port settings should not need to be changed since it is a slave device.
Start off trying to read a single address like the seconds, V7766. Use the spreadsheet from the above link to convert this to the MODBUS address.
It might help to look at chapter 4 of the user manual if you are not familiar with MODBUS.
Created Date: October 02,2005
Created by: Andy
It sounds like you are attempting to connect directly to the 440 CPU. If this is the case it will not work because the 440 does not support Modbus protocol on the CPU. You can add a D4-DCM module to the system. It does support Modbus.
Created Date: October 02,2005
Created by: rvaughn801
Thanks for the help. It looks like there are (at least) the following solutions:
1) Change the 440 CPU for a 450 - A 450 costs $759 -- are there any programming changes to make this work? This system is at least 5 years old, and has several PID and other specialty modules.
2) Add the modbus module -- the base rack is full, so this would involve moving an I/O module to another position
3) Kepware OPC driver
4) Other A-D drivers like DSData
I am replacing a Windows '95 PC with Labview, so anything will be an improvement. Is there a least complicated direction to go for someone who knows Allen-Bradley but is just getting started with Automation Direct?
Created Date: October 02,2005
Created by: Andy
The least complicated path is to replace the 440 with the 450 CPU. The ladder program from the 440 will run as is in the 450 CPU and you will have Modbus capability.
Created Date: October 03,2005
Created by: Tech Guy
I could have sworn the 440 supported MODBUS, but Andy is correct. Thanks Andy!
Created Date: October 01,2005
Created by: rvaughn801
I have been tasked with connecting a Wonderware Intouch app to a 440 CPU. I have looked at the KepDirect server, and also using the WW Modbus server. Because there may be other brands of PLCs to link to the Wonderware app, it may be an advantage to buy Wonderware with I/O and use the Modbus interface.
From the online docs, it appears the D3-DSCBL-2 cable would be correct for this.
In the Wonderware Modbus server setup, there are a bunch of settings:
1. Slave Device Type: 584/984 PLC (default), 484 PLC, E Model PLC (6 digit), Micro84 PLC
2. String Variable Style: Full Length, C style, Pascal style
3. Register Type: Binary or BCD
4. Block I/O Sizes (defaults): Coil Read (2000), Coil Write (800), Register Read (125), Register Write (100)
Under setup secondary settings (DirectSoft 32) there are settings for:
1. Parity (None, Odd)
2. Protocol (Hex, ASCII)
3. Baud Rate
Question: Are there some reasonable settings I can start with? I have the WW Intouch app cabled to the PLC, but the Modbus read fails (is red) on the Modbus server screen. Any help would be greatly appreciated.