ScottRyan (Customer) asked a question.

BRX comm to AB PowerFlex 523/525

Does anyone have any info on controlling a AB PowerFlex 523/525 via BRX PLC? I would prefer EIP, but I assume BRX would be able to Modbus RTU only. Any info would be helpful.

 

Thanks!


  • ADC Community_02 (Automationdirect.com)

    What model BRX are you using? Some already have an ethernet port onboard that would allow Modbus TCP.

  • ScottRyan (Customer)

    The model I will be using is: BX-DM1E-M-D which does have ethernet. The PowerFlex is EIP unless I get a module to do Modbus TCP I believe. It does however have RS485/DSI which will allow Modbus RTU.

  • ADC TechnologyGroup_05 (AutomationDirect)

    This question has come up in the Community before and I do not know if there was ever a solution presented for EtherNet/IP Unconnected Explicit Messaging. If you are willing to do some testing and offer feedback as to the results, I can try to help you through the process. I do not have, nor am I familiar with, the PowerFlex 525, but I dabble with EtherNet/IP a bit. So, I can only base my information on the vendor's documentation.

     

    Before Testing:

    • Configuration of the following parameters let you determine the action of the embedded EtherNet/IP adapter and drive if the I/O communication is disrupted, the controller is idle, or Explicit Messaging for the drive is disrupted.
      • C143 (EN Communication Fault Action)
      • C144 (EN Idle Fault Action)
    • Apply power to the drive AFTER connecting the EtherNet/IP adapter to the network.
    • Set parameter P046 (Start Source 1) to 5 "EtherNet/IP".
    • Set parameter P047 (Speed Reference 1) to 15 "EtherNet/IP".

     

    Before testing the Do-more EIPMSG instructions with the EtherNet/IP adapter, be sure to provide a variable for the General Status fields, as well as a reference to an 8 element UINT Array for the Extended Status (make a memory block). This will help in diagnosing issues while troubleshooting.  

     

    Note: EtherNet/IP Explicit Messaging uses TCP port 44818.

     

    Testing:

    Set Control Timeout value using the following information in an EIPMSG instruction:

    • Class: 4 (0x04)
    • Instance: 0 (0x00)
    • Attribute: 100 (0x64)
    • Service: 16 (0x10) Set_Attribute_Single
    • Size: 2 bytes (UINT)
    • Description: Control timeout in seconds

     

    Read Drive Status information from the Input Data Assembly:

    • Class: 4 (0x04)
    • Instance: 1 (0x01)
    • Attribute: 3 (0x03)
    • Service: 14 (0x0E) Get_Attribute_Single
    • Size: 4 bytes
    • Description: 
      • Word 0: Logic Status
      • Word 1: Speed Feedback

     

    Write Drive Commands to the Output Data Assembly:

    • Class: 4 (0x04)
    • Instance: 2 (0x01)
    • Attribute: 3 (0x03)
    • Service: 16 (0x10) Set_Attribute_Single
    • Size: 4 bytes
    • Description: 
      • Word 0: Logic Command
      • Word 1: Speed Reference

     

    Definitions for Logic Command Word and Logic Status Word can be found on pages 153 and 154 of the link below:

    https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/um/520com-um001_-en-e.pdf#page=153

     

    Let me know if this gets you moving forward OR if we need to test new values within the instructions.

    Expand Post
  • ScottRyan (Customer)

    Browsing the forum and forgot I had this post. I ended up figuring out implicit eip comm from brx to pf525 about 2years ago. If someone needs it I will send you the program i used for testing. Should get you started. Couldn't attached it to this threa. pm me