In this tab you determine the properties for the entire PLC card within a bus system. In addition you determine the assignment of the PLC card to a rack.

In the Properties (global) processing mode, you edit the properties of all representations of the function jointly; in this case, the tab shows the supplement "(Device)".

Overview of the main dialog elements:

Configuration project:

Enter the name of the configuration project for the PLC box here, or select an entry from the drop-down list. The list shows all values that you have previously entered for the same type of function at other places in the project.

Station ID:

Here you enter the station ID for the PLC box, or select an entry from the drop-down list. The list shows all values that you have previously entered for the same type of function at other places in the project. The station ID is used as a grouping element for the network components. As a rule it is assigned depending on the physical place (enclosure, switch box etc.) of the network components.

Rack ID:

If the PLC box is a rack or a head station, enter the designation of this rack here.
Extension racks are connected to the main racks with another via bus ports.

Numerical values equal to or greater than "0" are allowed for the PLC data exchange in the AutomationML AR APC format. The numbering of the racks starts in every station with the value "0" ("Main rack"), the numbering is completed without gaps and has to be unique within a station. Extension racks therefore have values greater "0".

PLC card is placed on rack ID:

If the PLC card is mounted on a rack or attached to a head station, enter the designation of this rack here. If the PLC card is placed on a rack and is itself a rack, the Rack field has to be filled additionally.

Position (slot / module):

For a PLC card which is placed on a rack, attached to a head station or is placed on a head station, enter the item number of the slot / module here. The PLC cards are sorted in accordance with the value of this property.

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Properties group box

For PLC cards, among other properties, the following are available:

CPU:

Activate this check box when the PLC box represents a CPU.

PLC-specific settings:

Here the scheme for the PLC-specific settings is displayed that is assigned to the CPU. The "From settings" entry indicates that the scheme specified in the project settings is being used.

If the CPU check box is activated, this field can be edited and you can select a different existing scheme from the drop-down list.

CPU: Name:

Through the indexed property CPU: Name [1-128] you assign one or more CPUs to the PLC box. All PLC addresses with the same CPU specification belong in an assignment list. By entering different CPUs, multiple PLC controllers can be managed in one project. This way you can, for example, address inputs of the first CPU and outputs of a second CPU.

• If the PLC box is itself a CPU, enter its name in the property CPU: Name [1]. A CPU can only have one name. Therefore the properties for the further CPU names are grayed out when the CPU check box is activated.
• At PLC boxes that do not represent a CPU, but rather input or output cards, enter the name of the associated CPU. By entering the CPU names you specify which CPUs can process the signals of the PLC card. The correct specification of the CPU name at the PLC boxes is also required so that the assignment list is fully exported.
  

  Note:

  The CPU name has to be unique within the EPLAN project. For all PLC boxes always enter the complete CPU name in the form [Configuration project].[Station ID].[CPU identifier], for example Siemens SIMATIC S7.Station 300.1.
  Since the point is used as a separator in the complete CPU name, the values for the configuration project, the station name and the CPU identifier must not contain a point.

Bus coupler / head station:

Select this check box if the current function is a bus coupler.

For the PLC data exchange this check box is also used to identify a head station. In this case the Rack field for the concerned PLC card has to be filled.

Power supply:

Select this check box if the current function is a power supply.

Bus distribution device:

Activate this check box in order to identify the PLC box as a bus distribution device.

PLC card is placed on head station:

Activate this check box for PLC cards that are directly placed on the head station or integrated into it. You enter the corresponding position on the head station in the Position (slot / module) property.

For PLC cards that are adjoined next to the head station the check box remains deactivated. You enter the corresponding position next to the head station in the Position (slot / module) property.

See also

Tabs <Function category> / <Function category> (Device)

Dialog Settings: Numbering

Structure of PLCs