Brx hardware issues

[PLCwannabe]

I have installed a few bRX Plc's the last year and I'm having some issues with some modules. Maybe somebody can tell me some settings that I need to tweak.

1.  When ethernet switches lose power for various reasons, the ethernet I/O modules will remain offline until the power to the main controlling PLC is cycled. Is there some way to make the plc resume communication with the slaves after the ethernet switch loses power( never longer than 10 seconds before generator kicks in). The plc is on a battery backup, the ethernet slaves are not due to the remote location they are installed in.

2  On a BXDM1E Plc with a BX-08AD-2B analog input module in slot 1,and a BX16CD3D2 module in slot 2,  when plc loses power (never longer than 10 seconds) the input-output modules will come online right away with no alarm. However, all the analog input channels in slot 1 will show zero, even though all the sensors are working. This has happened multiple times and the condition will persist until BX-08AD-2B  24vdc is unplugged from module for a few seconds.(the  BX16CD3D2 in slot 2 is not affected). Is this a faulty module or is it normal?

3   I have one system with multiple C-mores  to control/ change settings. All the HMI's have identical programs with different ip addresses. What is a simple way to record at all times which HMI is making changes to settings?

[brucek]

1. I use BRX and the H2 version of do-more  and unmanaged switches and my remote racks communicate when the switch powers up and is ready to communicate. I use mostly the Stride switches now.

2. Not sure here why but you could put a timer relay to your control power and give it 20 ish + seconds and run your 24v power thru that so every time you lose power it resets itself after a certain amount of time. Assuming it takes  you more then 20 seconds to get there and unplug.

3. You could use the event manager to write a word to the plc in each cmore where you number the cmore and write that number when it changes something. For instance cmore 1 you change the speed of a motor and then hit a button to write to the plc. in event manager you use the write button going to 1 trigger a write of cmore 1 writing to Cmore_that_Changed the setting. Then you'd have to make a log file out of the plc.

[PLCwannabe]

Ok i think i can figure out No.3.  Number 2 is a software issue according to AD tech support which will be fixed in the next update. I'm still having trouble figuring out number 1.  I think this is a PLC issue not an ethernet switch issue. I'm trying to figure out why it would make sense for the plc to not reinitiate communication with the ethernet modules after a 10-second comm loss. All other devices connected to the ethernet switches resume communication right away.

[BobO]

1) Probably going to need more info. Do-more comms are quite robust and will always re-establish once the path is clear. What is the PLC talking to exactly?

2) I don't have any specific knowledge of firmware issues that would make this true, but it could be. The PLC is definitely reinitializing the modules as part of the power up. If you continue to have issues with the -2B modules, you might consider trying the -3 versions.

[PLCwannabe]

1.  The Plc is a BX-DM1E-10AR3-D  communicating with two BX-DMIO-M-D Ethernet I/O controllers.  If an ethernet switch loses power for a few seconds, the slaves will go offline, and will not come back online when power is restored. (The Plc never loses power).

2. Here is what AD Tech support said:  "This is a known problem and you  have found the work around: Unplug and reapply 24VDC after powerup.
This is scheduled to be fixed in the next release of the DoMore Designer software/firmware found here (including notifications)"

[BobO]

1.  The Plc is a BX-DM1E-10AR3-D  communicating with two BX-DMIO-M-D Ethernet I/O controllers.  If an ethernet switch loses power for a few seconds, the slaves will go offline, and will not come back online when power is restored. (The Plc never loses power).

I'll do some digging, but I've never seen a PLC refuse to restart comms.

2. Here is what AD Tech support said:  "This is a known problem and you  have found the work around: Unplug and reapply 24VDC after powerup.
This is scheduled to be fixed in the next release of the DoMore Designer software/firmware found here (including notifications)"

All known firmware fixes related to FACTS analog modules are in the last OS we shipped. If it isn't working with 2.7.5, then we don't know what the fix is.

[Bolt]

2  On a BXDM1E Plc with a BX-08AD-2B analog input module in slot 1,and a BX16CD3D2 module in slot 2,  when plc loses power (never longer than 10 seconds) the input-output modules will come online right away with no alarm. However, all the analog input channels in slot 1 will show zero, even though all the sensors are working. This has happened multiple times and the condition will persist until BX-08AD-2B  24vdc is unplugged from module for a few seconds.(the  BX16CD3D2 in slot 2 is not affected). Is this a faulty module or is it normal?

Number 2 is a software issue according to AD tech support which will be fixed in the next update.

2) I don't have any specific knowledge of firmware issues that would make this true, but it could be. The PLC is definitely reinitializing the modules as part of the power up. If you continue to have issues with the -2B modules, you might consider trying the -3 versions.

2. Here is what AD Tech support said:  "This is a known problem and you  have found the work around: Unplug and reapply 24VDC after powerup.
This is scheduled to be fixed in the next release of the DoMore Designer software/firmware found here (including notifications)"

All known firmware fixes related to FACTS analog modules are in the last OS we shipped. If it isn't working with 2.7.5, then we don't know what the fix is.

I had this problem occur today with a BX-08AD-1 module.  It required power cycling the module after the PLC had powered up to get analog sensors to be read.  It was not until the power cycle that I received a notification that Analog24VMissing and AnalogDataInvalid were true.  I'm running OS 2.7.2.  Is that my problem, the OS version?

[BobO]

I had this problem occur today with a BX-08AD-1 module.  It required power cycling the module after the PLC had powered up to get analog sensors to be read.  It was not until the power cycle that I received a notification that Analog24VMissing and AnalogDataInvalid were true.  I'm running OS 2.7.2.  Is that my problem, the OS version?

Much of the shenanigans that got us to 2.7.5 was creating and resolving issues with analog modules. I'd update.

[Bolt]

I did so during a quick break this afternoon.  I tested the scenario again afterwards, and everything was good.