Items you will need
RSLinx software provides a user-friendly graphical interface for navigating through your network. Select a device and click to access a variety of integrated configuration and monitoring tools. A complete set of communication drivers is provided for your networking needs, including Allen-Bradley networks.
- RSLinx Classic Lite software
- RSLogix software
Miicrologix PLCs are manufactured and sold by Allen Bradley. PLCs are programmed using ladder logic. In order to program PLCs, it first important to establish connectivity between a computer and the PLC. A computer can connect to a Micrologix PLC using special software called RSlinx and RSLogix, which are provided by Rockwell Automation. These software communicate with the Micrologix PLC using a RS232 Serial cable.
Using RSLinx Classic Lite to Install Serial Communication Drivers
Connect the computer to the PLC using a serial communication cable. Power up the PLC.
Launch the RSlinx Software on your computer. In the 'Tool' bar menu, click on 'Configure drivers' button. A window with the title 'Configure Driver' opens.
Click on the 'Available Driver Types' drop-down list button and choose 'RS232 DF1' from the displayed list. Another button called 'Add' will become enabled on the 'Configure Driver' window.
Click on 'Add' to open the window for configuring the RS232 driver. Choose the default values for the 'COM Port,' 'Baud,' 'Partiy,' 'Stop Bits' and 'Protocol' sections. Click on 'Close' to accept these settings and close the configuration window for the RS232 driver.
Click on 'RSWho' button on the 'Tool' bar menu. This will open an expandable list that displays all the active communication drivers. The driver 'RS232 DF1' will be displayed in this list.
Double-click on the driver to expand a sub-list that displays all the PLCs that are connected to the computer. The PLC that is connected using the serial communications cable to the computer is automatically listed.
Using RSLogix Software to Communicate with the PLC
Launch the RSLogix software while the RSLinx Classic Lite software is still running. Click on 'File, New Controller' and choose from the displayed drop-down list the model of the Allen Bradley Micrologix PLC that you want to connect to.
In the 'Project' section, click on 'Communications, Who active.' This option is similar to the 'RSWho' button in the RSLinx Classic Lite software. An expandable list showing the 'RS232 DF1' driver and the PLCs connected to the computer will be displayed.
Click the 'RS232 DF1' driver and then click on 'Set project path.' This will save the information of the serial driver and the path to the PLC in the RSLogix software.
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Posted by5 years ago
Archived
Do I absolutely have to update from RSLinx Classic to RSLinx Enterprise?
I think we might need RSLinx enterprise to communicate with our HMI due to the newer firmware on our HMI. The information about the HMI is as follows:
Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 1000 Firmware version: 5.00.00.55 (CPR 9) The catalog number on the back of the HMI is 2711P-RDB10C
PLC Info: Allen Bradley Compact Guardlogix L45s Safety PLC
We have Factorytalk 6, RSLinx Classic, and RSLogix 5000.
The problem we keep running into is that when we attempt to download an application to the HMI, we get an error saying that the location (meaning the HMI is invalid).
The only thing I could think that is going wrong is that the major revision of the firmware for our HMI is not supported in RSLinx Classic.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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