Analog Input/Output
with High Speed Counter
Q: Can I use the
analog input and/or output at the same time as the high
speed counter on Micro PLCs?
A: For models that include both
of these features, you can use an Analog Output along with
the HSC. However, you cannot use the Analog Input with the
HSC since the Analog Input uses the same input (I0) as the
HSC. Please note that to use the Analog Output one has to
use a Transistor output unit.
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Difference
betweenMicro3 / Micro3C
Q: What is the
difference between the Micro-3 and Micro-3C?
A: The Micro-3C has additional
communications abilities, including two serial ports, RS232
and RS485, dial-up capabilities, and additional data
registers.
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Wireless
Communication
Q: Can IDEC PLCs
be operated over a wireless link?
A: Our Micro3C, ONC and
Microsmart PLCs can be used over a wireless radio modem, and
have the ability to communicate in ASCII and initiate modem
dialing commands.
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FA series
Programming Cables
Q: I need to
program an FA PLC (FA1J, FA2J, FA3S). What cables/adaptors
do I need from PC to FA series?
A: You will need to purchase 2
cables and a link adaptor. Part numbers are as follows:
- PFA-1A51 (cable from FA to link adaptor)
- PF2-CLA (link adaptor)
- PFA-1A54A(cable from link adaptor to PC)
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Microsmart MIL
Connectors
Q: Which cable
can I use if the CPU or I/O module has MIL connector type?
A: If the I/O module is MIL
connector type, use cable part number FC9Z-H###B20/A20 plus
a breakout module part number BX1D-S20A. For the CPU with
MIL connector, use cable part number FC9Z-H###A26/B26 and
breakout module BX1D-S26A. Please check brochure/catalog for
complete cable part number.
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Modbus Support
Q: Do any of our
PLCs support Modbus?
A: Yes, both Microsmart and ONC
support Modbus RTUs when used with the IDEC-MODBUS
converter. The part numbers are as follows:
- Converter (FC2A-GWY-025-009-V00)
- Software (FC2A-MBUS-SOFT)
- Programming cable (FC4A-MBUS485)
- Package (IDEC-MBUS-CONVPCK)
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Micro3 -
Downloading a Program from the PC to the Loader
Q: How do I
download a Micro3 program from the PC to the loader?
A: A program can be downloaded
to the loader by following these steps:
- Change the data length in the communication settings
dialog to 7
- In the Download Dialog, change the "Download
to:" from "PLC" to "Loader"
- On the Loader, press TRS, down arrow
- Make sure the screen reads "Loader to PC
OK?"
- In the Download Dialog, press OK
- On the Loader, press ENTR.
A message box should appear on the PC saying "Program
Download Succeeded". The loader screen will say,
"Loader to PC END".
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Micro1 -
Communicating With More than One
Q: How do I
communicate with more than one Micro-1 PLC?
A: You can communicate with more
than one Micro-1 or FA Series PLC by using the 1:N
communication function within WindLDR. Follow these steps:
- Each PLC should be given a unique device number. Each
device number can be checked using the loader.
- Attach the loader to the Micro-1.
- Press FUN, enter 60, and press the READ key. The
device number will appear in the far right corner of the
screen. If that is the desired device number, remove the
loader and attach the PLC to the cable link. If it is
not, or you want to change the number, enter the desired
number.
- Press the TRS key, then the ENTR key. The screen
should say "TRS LTP GO?".
- Press the "ENTR" key. The new device number
has been assigned. All PLCs to be used in the 1:N
communication settings should be checked.
- The PLC Network Settings in the communication Settings
Dialog should be set to 1:N.
- The Device number in the communication Settings
Dialogue should be set to the PLC that will be
communicated with.
- To download the program to each PLC, the device number
in the communication dialog has to be set to that PLC
device number.
- The 1:N Communication Device No. in the Function Area
Settings Dialogue should also be changed to the PLC
device number.
- The user should then open the download dialog and
press OK. At this time the program should be downloaded
to the assigned PLC.
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Micro1
Programming Cable
Q: What is the
programming cable for use with the Micro-1?
A: The Micro-1 communication
cable, from the Micro1 to a PC serial port, is FC1A-CLA.
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Micro3 -
Communicating With More than One
Q: How do I
communicate with more than one Micro3 Series PLC?
A: You can communicate with
more than one Micro3 series PLC by using the 1:N
communication Function within WindLDR. The steps below can
be followed to achieve this.
- Each PLC should be given unique device number. Each
PLC device number can be checked using the loader.
- Attach the loader to the Micro3.
- Press FUN, enter 9, and press the Down Arrow key.
The device number will appear at the bottom of the
screen. If that is the desired device number, remove
the loader and attach the PLC to the cable link. If it
is not the correct device number or you want to change
the number, press the Down Arrow key, enter the
desired number and press the enter key.
- Press the TRS key, then the ENTR key. The screen
should say "Loader to PC OK?".
- Press the "ENTR" key. The new device
number has been assigned.
- All PLCs to be used in the 1:N communication
settings should be checked.
- The PLC Network Settings in the Communication
Settings Dialogue should be set to 1:N.
- The Device Number in the Communication Settings
Dialogue should be set to the PLC that is going to be
communicated with.
- The 1:N Communication Device No. in the Function
Area Settings Dialog, should also be changed to the
PLC device number.
- Open the download dialogue and press OK.
At this time the program should be downloaded to the
assigned PLC.
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Micro3 -
Uploading a Program From the Loader to a PC
Q: How do I
upload a Micro3 program from the loader to the PC?
A: A program can be uploaded
to the PC by following these steps:
- In the PLC selection dialogue, select the Micro3 PLC.
Click OK.
- In the upload Dialogue, change the "Upload
From:" from PLC to Loader.
- On the Loader, press TRS, ENTR. Make sure the screen
reads " Loader to PC OK?"
- In the upload Dialog, press OK.
- On the Loader, press ENTR.
A message box should appear on the PC saying "Program
upload Succeeded". The loader screen will say,
"Loader to PC END". When the message box comes
up saying that the program was successfully uploaded,
another dialog box will appear after the OK button is
clicked. The message box will read, "Wait for
conversion to ladder". It is very important that you
do not press the OK button in the message box until the
message box blinks. If you do press the OK button before
the box blinks an error will appear telling you that the
mnemonic to ladder conversion has failed.
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Monitoring PLCs
remotely with communication cables
Q: Can you
monitor IDEC PLCs remotely? If so, what would be the
longest hardwire length?
A: Using regular communication
cables the approximate distance is about 15 feet. But if
you use a modem with a dedicated phone line, you can
monitor, download, upload or do any changes to your
program from anywhere in the world.
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Wireless
Communication
Q: Can IDEC
PLCs be operated over a wireless link?
A: Our Micro3C, ONC and
Microsmart PLCs can be used over a wireless radio modem,
and have the ability to communicate in ASCII and
initiating modem dialing commands.
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