RSLogix Micro Lite

Starting with Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 using RSLogix

The Stuff --->

HARDWARE: 1761-L32BWA Series-A FRN 2.0 <---- micro PLC

1761-CBL - PM02, Ser. C <----cable for communicating with the PLC

DSE (Dick Smith Electronics) USB to Serial Adaptor XH8290 <---- i dont have a Serial port in my Laptop

SOFTWARE: RSLogix Micro Starter Lite 8.10.00 <--- for designing the logics and monitoring the logics.

RSLinx Classic Lite 2.54.00.11 CPR 9 SR 1 <--- to communicate with the PLC or Micro PLC.

Windows XP SP2

Lets Play --->

Download and Install the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite which is now free at their website.

Download and Install the RS Linx Classic

NOTE: I tried to use the USB to Serial Adaptor in Vista, but it seems to difficult to configure, however it was pretty straight forward in XP, probably because it was designed for XP.

Start RS Linx Classic Lite.

Click "RS Who" <--- RS Linx will do its best to look for the CPU, either in the Comm port (Serial Port) or Ethernet Port

TIP: Make sure everything is connected and in the comms port and USB port in the Control Panel (Windows XP) - make sure there are no conflicts. Make sure the PLC is running too.

The moment you expand the AB_DF1 it will start to search for any communicating device. The PLC will also always try to look for outside communication.

I remember from my instructor, that if it doesnt work just play with the following values.

BAUD RATE = 9600

PARITY = None

ERROR CHECKING = CRC

PROTOCOL = FULL DUPLEX

STOPS BITS = 1

COMM PORT = Com1

NOTE : If it work before and did not work after shutting down/re-starting the PC(laptop), try to do any of the following --> Open RS-Linx, COMMUNICATIONS>CONFIGURE DRIVER. In the CONFIGURE DRIVER, Select the PLC you want to run and click START or CONFIGURE. Also check DEVICE MANAGER of the Windows CONTROL PANEL if the values inside the USB Port adapter for RS-232 is the same as the RS-Linx setting. Remember I am using a RS-232 to USB converter.

TIP: always write down the previous values. That is the sign of a good Maintenance Electrician

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Lets assume everything went right and RS Linx can see the PLC.

Open RS Logix (RSLogix Micro Starter Lite) and select NEW in FILES menu.

Notice the name of the window that pops up, "Select Processor Type"

Below would be the more likely screen that you will see after you click OK.

TIP: "WHO ACTIVE" button refers to the PLC or communication device the RS Linx can see. If the PLC is OFF or physically not connected, then it wont be considered as ACTIVE.

Below, I show to you the most common buttons that I play with. Please try to understand what I am trying to tell you.

Some notes for the above image:

Depending on the PLC (Controller) that you have, the DATA files and PROGRAM files can be different. Example for the PLC type I am using, there is no FLOAT type file.
Also for the type of PLC I am using, there is only 17 PROGRAM FILES, while other Allen-Bradley can have up to 256 files.
In my PLC (1761-L32BWA), there are only 8 DATA FILE "types", and in my PLC there is no FLOATING POINT type!
For the 1761-L32BWA I could only have up to 10 sub-routine.

Anyway, open the RS Linx again. Notice in the RS Linx.... the name of the PLC (or PROCESSOR) is UNTITLED.

To change this, expand the CONTROLLER, by clicking the (+) sign beside the CONTROLLER (also known as PROCESSOR or PLC).

Double Click the CONTROLLER PROPERTIES. A new window will appear. If you are not OFF LINE, this cannot be EDITED.

Change the PROCESSOR NAME to what ever name you like, the software will prevent unacceptable characters.

Click APPLY

The change will appear after you click DOWNLOAD. This is the act of "SAVING" data in the "PLC".

TIP: Avoid putting password unless necessary.

I used MONET as my PLC name.

This will also change the name of the *.RSS window. Also, in the RS Linx, it will show a name for the Controller instead of UNTITLED.

Check out the other properties of the CONTROLLER

Notice the number of data files: there are 8 available for this micro PLC. Now count the number of branches in the DATA FILES inside the MONET.RSS window, there should be 8 also, starting from zero.

Take notice above: the number in Program Files is 17. The DATA FILE is 8. Ask yourself what significance this numbers are.

Notice also the number of words available left for the instruction. Make sure you do a lot of research as to what this relates for. Ask your self, how many BITs are in there in a BYTE, and how many BYTEs in a WORD. Do more research, that is my advice to you.

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Below the CONTROLLER PROPERTIES is the PROCESSOR STATUS.

When you are OFF-LINE your computer wont know what is happening to the PROCESSOR (your PLC Processor, not your Computer Processor)

Go ON-LINE and check the PROCESSOR STATUS. You can use this for debugging, especially if your PLC is not coping with an instruction that has trapped it in an infinite loop. An equivalent of BLUE SCREEN in M$-Windows.

In the PROCESSOR STATUS, you can see what the PROCESSOR is doing, what mathematical calculation it is doing, the number of Scan it does, other stuff. Please familiarize your self on this.

TIP: To know if you are ON-LINE, the ladder icon is spinning.

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While ON-LINE, expand the FORCES FILES.

Double Click the OUTPUT branch.

Right Click the "DOT" below the ZERO.

Choose FORCES ON, now check if your PLC has responded. The relay of OUTPUT ZERO should close or you will here a CLICKing sound if its a relay(switch), in some PLC, it does not use a mechanical relay, but a semi-conductor switch.

Check below for further notes.

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Below the FORCES FILES is the DATABASE FILES.

in this collection are the comments/symbols use on the RUNGS, INSTRUCTION, etc.

TIP: Do a lot of Googling regarding this DATABASE Files, it will benefit your documentation very well if you know it.

Next will do a Ladder Program

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