984-A120 Compact PLCs

User Guide

31000400 04

890 USE 108 00

Version 4.0

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Table of Contents

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
About the Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 1

Compact Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The 984 Family of PLCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Special Features of the Compacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The A984-120/130 PLCs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
The A984-131/141 & E984-241/251 PLCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
A984-145, E984-245/255 Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The E984-258 Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
E984-265/275/285 Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
EEPROM Auxiliary Memory Capability (A984-1xx/E984-24x/251/255 Only) . . . 39
Editing Logic Loaded from EEPROM Card (A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 Only) 42
Program Storage using FLASH RAM & PCMCIA (E984-258/265/275/285 Only) 44

Chapter 2

Software Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Panel Software Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
The Compact Instruction Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Chapter 3

Communication Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Communications A984 & E984-241/251 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Communications E984-258/265/275/285 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generic Modbus Communication Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Plus Communications A984-145, E984-245/255. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Plus Communications E984-265/275/285 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Plus LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generic Modbus Plus Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Plus Capabilities for Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bridge Mode Between Modbus and Modbus Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modbus Plus Address Routing Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Direct, Explicit, and Implicit Attaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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70
72
79
80
84
86
87
88
91
94
97
3

Modbus Plus Communication Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Chapter 4

Hardware Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
DIN Carrier Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Choosing DTA Backplanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Planning a Linear Drop Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Planning a Stacked Drop Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Chapter 5

Hardware Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Installing DTA Backplanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Interlocking Adjacent Backplanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Installing a BXT 201 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Installing a BXT 203 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Inserting Modules in the Backplane(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Compact Installation Dimension Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
System Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Distributing Field Power to A120 I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Chapter 6

Wiring and Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
System Bonding and Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
System Reference Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Guarding Against EMI/RFI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Grounding and Power Distribution Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Appendices

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Appendix A

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Using Your Compact with Modsoft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Using Your Compact with Concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Appendix B

System Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Compact Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Appendix C

CE Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Requirements for CE Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Appendix D

A120 Power Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
P120-000 Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
P120-000 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
P120-125 Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
P120-125 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

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P120-250(C) Power Supply Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The P120-250(C) Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Power Supply Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appendix E

184
186
187
190

Compact Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
PLC Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
A120 I/O Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Appendix F

Health Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Systems Health Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mainframe Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I/O Module Health Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appendix G

Troubleshooting and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLC Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LED Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conformally Coated Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Service & Technical Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index

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200
202
206
207
209
210
211
217
218
219

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

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Safety Information

Important Information
NOTICE

Read these instructions carefully and look at the equipment to become familiar with
the device before trying to install, operate, or maintain it. The following special
messages may appear throughout this documentation or on the equipment to warn
of potential hazards or to call attention to information that clarifies or simplifies a
procedure.

The addition of this symbol to a Danger or Warning safety label indicates

that an electrical hazard exists, which will result in personal injury if the instructions
are not followed.

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal
injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible
injury or death.

DANGER
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
can result in death or serious injury.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
can result in minor or moderate injury or in property damage.

PLEASE NOTE

Electrical equipment should be serviced only by qualified personnel. No responsibility is assumed by Schneider Electric for any consequences arising out of the use
of this material. This document is not intended as an instruction manual for untrained
persons.
2001 Schneider Electric All Rights Reserved

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

About the Book

At a Glance
Document Scope

This manual presents information about the A & E Series Compact PLCs including:
hardware, software support, communication capabilities, planning and installation,
wiring and cabling, system specifications, CE requirements, power supplies, getting
started, accessories, health status, and trouble shooting and maintenance.

Validity Note

A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 require Modsoft panel software. E984-258/265/275/

285 require Concept Version 2.1, ProWORX software, or higher panel software.

Related
Documents

Title of Documentation

Reference Number

A120 Series I/O Modules User Guide

890USE10900

Modsoft Programmer Software User Guide

890USE11500

ProWORX Nxt 2.10 User Manual

371SPU68001

Product Related
Warnings

All pertinent state, regional, and local safety regulations must be observed when
installing and using this product. For reasons of safety and to assure compliance
with documented system data, repairs to components should be performed only by
the manufacturer.

User Comments

We welcome your comments about this document. You can reach us by e-mail at
TECHCOMM@modicon.com

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

10

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Compact Hardware

1
At a Glance
Introduction

The information in this chapter introduces the Compact Controller and describes
the common architecture shared by the 984 Controllers. If the Compact Controller
is new to you, please refer to Getting Started, p. 145).

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic
The 984 Family of PLCs

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Page
12

Special Features of the Compacts

14

The A984-120/130 PLCs

24

The A984-131/141 & E984-241/251 PLCs

27

A984-145, E984-245/255 Controllers

31

The E984-258 Controller

33

E984-265/275/285 Controllers

36

EEPROM Auxiliary Memory Capability (A984-1xx/E984-24x/251/255 Only)

39

Editing Logic Loaded from EEPROM Card (A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 Only)

42

Program Storage using FLASH RAM & PCMCIA (E984-258/265/275/285 Only)

44

11

Hardware

The 984 Family of PLCs

Common 984
Controller
Architecture

12

Modicons Compact Programmable Controllers bring the high performance,

application flexibility, and programming compatibility of the 984 family to the small
controller market. As a controller in the 984 family, Compacts implement a common
instruction set for developing user logic, standard Modbus communication
functionality, and optional Modbus Plus communication capabilities.
The Compact Controllers share the following 984 processing architecture features:
l A memory section that stores user logic, state RAM, and system overhead in
battery-backed CMOS RAM and holds the systems Executive firmware in
nonvolatile PROM or FLASH RAM
l A CPU section that solves the user logic program based on the current input
values in state RAM, then updates the output values in state RAM
l An I/O processing section that directs the flow of signals from input modules to
state RAM and provides a path over which output signals from the CPUs logic
solve are sent to the output modules
l A communications section that provides one or more port interfaces. These
interfaces allow the controller to communicate with programming panels, host
computers, hand-held diagnostic tools and other master devices, as well as with
additional controllers and other nodes on a Modbus (or Modbus Plus) network
This architectural consistency allows the Compact Controllers to achieve machine
compatibility with the other controllers in the family. This allows sequences of user
logic created on a mid-range or high performance controller, such as a 984B or a
984-685 Controller,-to be relocated to a Compact. It also assures that user logic
generated for this small controller is upwardly compatible to larger 984(s). Thus, a
Compact can be easily integrated into a multi-controller network.

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Hardware

The following figure shows the 984 PLC architecture.

984 Controller
CPU

EXEC ROM

RAM Memory

from
Application
Sensing
Devices
Input
Modules

State RAM

User Logic

Discrete Outs
Discrete Ins
Register Ins
Register Outs

Ladder Logic
Networks &
Segments

I/O Processor

Communications Processor

Peripheral
(Host) Devices

Programming

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Output
Modules
to
Application
Switching
Devices

Other Nodes
on a Network

The Compact Controllers may be configured, I/O Mapped, and programmed with the
following software:
l Concept panel software
l Full-feature Modsoft panel software
l Modsoft Lite depending upon the model
l ProWORX software
Refer to Software Support, p. 49 for more information.

13

Hardware

Special Features of the Compacts

CPU Memory
Choices

14

The Compact Controllers deliver 984 architectural consistency and performance in

a small, modular package. Compacts are easy to install, require only a small area
for installation, and support the low-cost line of A120 I/O modules. The E984-258/
265/275/285 PLCs feature 386 EX processors for increased performance and
operate using Concept programming panel software. In addition to these features
the E984-275/285 come with a PCMCIA interface for memory backup.
Compact PLCs are available in thirteen CPU models with four different user memory
sizes:
l The A984-120 CPU with 1.5K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 3.5K
words total and one Modbus communication port, 8Mhz CPU operation.
l The A984-130 CPU with 4K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 6K
words total and one Modbus communication port, 8Mhz CPU operation.
l The A984-131 CPU with 4K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 6K
words total and two Modbus communication ports, 8Mhz, CPU operation.
l The A984-141 CPU with 8K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 10K
words total and two Modbus communication ports, 8Mhz, CPU operation.
l The A984-145 CPU with 8K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 10K
words total, a Modbus port, and a Modbus Plus network interface, 8Mhz CPU
operation.
l The E984-241 CPU with 8K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 10K
words total, two Modbus communication ports and FLASH RAM based system
executive, 16Mhz CPU operation.
l The E984-245 CPU with 8K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 10K
words total, a Modbus port, a Modbus Plus network interface and FLASH RAM
based system executive, 16Mhz CPU operation.
l The E984-251 CPU with 16K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 18K
words total, and two Modbus communication ports, FLASH RAM based system
executive, 16Mhz CPU operation, and 24K of (6xxxx) extended data register
storage.
l The E984-255 CPU with 16K words of user memory, 2K words State RAM, 18K
words total, a Modbus port, a Modbus Plus network interface, FLASH RAM based
system executive, 16Mhz CPU operation, and 24K of (6xxxx) extended data
register storage.
l The E984-258 CPU with two Modbus communication ports, 1Meg FLASH RAM
based system executive, 512K SRAM, 16K words of user memory, 32K words
State RAM, 48K words total, 128K words of configurable SDA 6X registers,
25Mhz CPU operation, operating temperature -40 ... +70 degrees C, and the
Run, Ready, Communication 1 & 2 LEDs are yellow.
l The E984-265 CPU with two Modbus communication ports and a Modbus Plus
network interface, 1 Meg FLASH RAM based system executive, 512K SRAM, 8K
words of user memory, 16K words State RAM, 24K words total, 128K words of
configurable SDA 6X registers, and 25Mhz CPU operation.
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Hardware

l The E984-275 CPU with two Modbus communication ports and a Modbus Plus
network interface, 1 Meg FLASH RAM based system executive, 512K SRAM,
16K words of user memory, 32K words-State RAM, 48K words total, 128K words
of configurable SDA 6X registers, 25Mhz CPU operation, and PCMCIA release
2.1 type II socket supported.
l The E984-285 CPU with two Modbus communication ports and a Modbus Plus
network interface, 1Meg FLASH RAM based system executive, 1024K SRAM,
32K words of user memory, 64K words-State RAM, 96K words total, 128K words
of configurable SDA 6X registers, 25Mhz CPU operation, PCMCIA release 2.1
type II socket supported and operating temperature -40 ... +70 degrees C.
Note: E984-258/265/275/285 models are available with conformal coating. The
conformal coating models are E984-258C, E984-265C, E984-275C, and E984285C.

Note: The E984-258C meets Railway standard EN 50 155 because it has yellow
LEDs, extended operating temperature, conformal coating and is capable of
operation with no battery in addition to other requirements.

Performance

l Five Compact A984 models (A984-120/130, A984-131/141, and A984-145) solve

logic at the rate of 4.25 ... 6 ms/K nodes of standard ladder logic.

l Four Compact E984 models (E984-241/251, E984-245/255) solve logic at the

rate of 2.13 ... 3 ms/K nodes of standard ladder logic.

l Four Compact E984 models (E984-258/265/275/285) solve logic at the rate of 0.2
... 0.6 ms/K for 1K of binary ladder logic.

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Hardware

Memory

l User memory is the amount of memory available for your user logic program (one
word comprises 16 bits).

l State RAM memory is used to hold register and discrete inputs and outputs and
internal data storage. State RAM is allocated to the four different reference types
(0xxxx, 1xxxx, 3xxxx, and 4xxxx). (See System Capacity, p. 18).
l Memory Partition Option with Concept 2.1. When using the E984-258/265/275/
285 PLC with Concept 2.1 or higher you may partition the total SRAM memory.
The five IEC languages in Concept share the same memory space as the 984LL
language and 16-bit Loadables. When you enable the IEC usable memory size
in Concept, you allocate a specific amount of memory to IEC thus limiting the
amount of memory for 984LL and loadables
This is the Allocation Table.
PLC Model

SRAM Size

IEC Minimum Memory Size IEC Maximum Memory Size

-258/265/275 512K

68 k bytes

220 k bytes

-285

68 k bytes

620 k bytes

1 Meg

Note: Concept language memory is measured in k bytes (8 bits). In contrast,

984LL language memory is measured in K words.
The following is an example using a E984-275 requiring: Modbus master (XMIT
Loadable), an AGA gas flow (GD2 Loadable), 984LL memory of 3K words, and IEC
Structured Text (ST) program of 20K bytes.

16

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Hardware

This is the example table.

SRAM Shared
Requirements
memory Space of
E984-275
16K words in 984
Ladder Logic or
204K bytes in IEC

Specific Items

Memory Allocations

Modbus master XMIT loadable

NSUP loadable

17K bytes
6K bytes

AGA flow

GD92 Loadable

52K bytes

IEC

ST

(20K bytes*20%**)=22K bytes

Subtotal IEC
space needed

97K bytes

984LL space
needed

(3K words*14***)=42K bytes

Total memory
space used

139K bytes

Memory space
remaining

(204K bytes-139K bytes)=65K

bytes

984LL

Use of remaining In IEC: (65K bytes-20%)=52K

68K bytes of
bytes In 984LL: (65K bytes/
space
14)=4.6K bytes
**We recommend allocating 20% spare RAM space in IEC. ***14 is a constant conversion
factor.****When using the GD92 loadable you must use LSUP, not NSUP

For this example, you should set the IEC memory size to 97. The figures for other
PLC models (E984-258/265/285) will vary due to internal reserved memory
allocations.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

17

Hardware

System Capacity

The system capacity for the PLCs are described below.

This is the system capacity table.

PLC Total User

Memory

Total
State
RAM

Max. I/O Max. 0xxxx

Capacity type State
per
RAM
System

120

1.5k

2k

130

4k

2k

131

4k

2k

141

8k

2k

145

8k

2k

241

8k

2k

245

8k

2k

251

16k (24K
Extended
Memory)

2k

256 max.
(any mis)
(0x, 1x)
discrete
I/O points
plus
register I/
O up to a
total of
32 words
In/
32words
Out
(3x,4x)

255

16k (24K
Extended
Memory)

2k

258

16k (128K 32k*

configurabl
e SDA 6x**)

256 In
256 Out
(words)

0x=65504
1x=16
3x=8893
4x=9968

0x=16
1x=65504
3x=8893
4x=9968

0x=16
1x=16
3x=32224
4x=1

0x=16
1x=16
3x=16
4x=28640

2 Modbus

265

8k (128K
16k*
configurabl
e SDA 6x**)

128
In128
Out
(words)

0x=65504
1x=16
3x=2048
4x=1823

0x=16
1x=65504
3x=2048
4x=1823

0x=16
1x=16
3x=15840
4x=1

0x=16
1x=16
3x=16
4x=14076

2 Modbus
1Modbus Plus

275

16k (128K 32k*

configurabl
e SDA 6x**)

256
In256
Out
(words)

0x=65504
1x=16
3x=8893
4x=9968

0x=16
1x=65504
3x=8893
4x=9968

0x=16
1x=16
3x=32224
4x=1

0x=16
1x=16
3x=16
4x=28640

2 Modbus
1 Modbus Plus
PCMCIA

285

32k (128K 64k*

configurabl
e SDA 6x**)

512
In512
Out
(words)

0x=65504
1x=16
3x=23454
4x=26028

0x=16
1x=65504
3x=23454
4x=26028

0x=16
1x=16
3x=64992
4x=1

0x=16
1x=16
3x=16
4x=57766

2 Modbus
1 Modbus Plus
PCMCIA

0x=2032
1x=16
3x=16
4x=16

Max. 1xxxx
type State
RAM

Max. 3xxxx
type State
RAM

Max. 4xxxx
type State
RAM

Comm Ports/
PCMCIA

0x=16
1x=2032
3x=16
4x=16

0x=16
1x=16
3x=1904
4x=16

0x=16
1x=16
3x=16
4x=1904

1 Modbus
1 Modbus
2 Modbus
2 Modbus
1 Modbus
Modbus Plus
2 Modbus
1 Modbus
1Modbus Plus
2 Modbus

1 Modbus
1Modbus Plus

*The available state RAM for the E984-258/265/275/285 models are always 512 words less than these stated values.
**Allocating the SDA (Secured Data Area) reduces your available user memory.

18

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Note: For the A984-120/13x/14x and E984-24x/251/255 models. The listed values
(in the table). See System Capacity, p. 18 for discrete (0xxxx, 1xxxx) and register
(3xxxx, 4xxxx) types represent maximum allowable. To maximize one type you
minimize the other three types. Other than these limits the allocation between data
types is flexible. This type of trade off between reference types does NOT apply to
the E984-258/265/275/285 models. Furthermore, due to the large memory size
you will not reach the maximum limits.

Note: Maximum I/O module count is 18 for all Compact PLC models.

Space Allocation
Formula for Data
Types

The maximum of each data type expressed in System Capacity, p. 18, or the E984258/265/275/285 PLCs fit into the total configured memory space according to the
following formula: A+B+C+D+E+F <= 65024 words for 64k State RAM or 32256
words for 32k State RAM or 15872 words for 16k State RAM (and the combined mix
of configured #0x +#1x <= 65536 or 32768 or 16384) Where: A =Number of (0x/
16) * 3 to include History and Disable bits B=Number of (1x/16) * 3 to include History
and Disable bits C=0 if starting 3x on a 16 word boundary, otherwise add the
required difference D=Number of 3x data types E=0 if starting 4x on a 16 word
boundary, otherwise add the required difference F=Number of 4x +(2*((#4x+15(/16))
to include Up/Down counter history

Executive NonVolatile ROM

FLASH Memory
and RAM
(E984s Only)

The Compact executive firmware has two areas of memory which are referred to in
this manual as executive and user memory. The executive is contained in NonVolatile ROM (flash in the E984s memory that can be updated with new features in
the field if required), and the user memory is stored in battery backed RAM which
may also be backed up to internal FLASH for the E984-258/265/275/285 models or
to the PCMCIA memory card for the E984-275/285 models. (See Customer Service
& Technical Assistance, p. 219 regarding upgrading the NV FLASH Memory in the
field).

EEPROM
Auxiliary
Memory UploadDownload
Capabilities
(A984-1xx, E98424x/251/255
Only)

The A984-1xx, and E984-24x/251/255 Compact Controllers contain an auxiliary

memory socket for a credit card-sized EEPROM card. You can write the current
system configuration and user logic program to an EEPROM card while the
controller is in STOP Mode and read the data back to the controller from the
EEPROM card as part of the power-up sequence. This utility allows you to record,
store, transport and reload applications and configuration with an easily
maintainable medium. Thus this EEPROM may be used on similar compact models.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

19

Hardware

PCMCIA (E984275/285 Only)

The E984-275/285 CPUs support PCMCIA release 2.1 type II socket. The CPU
provides routines for accessing the PCMCIA card. Drivers are included to support
additional memory via AMD compatible memory cards. The card may be used to
store your application or as dynamic storage for data. You may write and read your
applications to either FLASH or PCMCIA card. You may use the PCMCIA card for
data logging from the user program via the DLOG instruction. (See Program Storage
using FLASH RAM & PCMCIA (E984-258/265/275/285 Only), p. 44).

Transferring
MEEP
Applications to
PCMCIA Cards

Applications on earlier models (A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255) using MEEP cards

can not be directly ported to the newer models (E984-275/285). This occurs
because the PCMCIA card replaces the MEEP card. In this case, go into the
Concept directory and run convert.exe. This converts your Modsoft application files
to Concept project files. Then select your PLC type. However, your I/O map is not
converted because the E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs I/O drivers are different than
the older models. Thus, reenter your I/O map and validate your analog scaling within
your application. The PCMCIA card works in a similar manner as the MEEP in earlier
models.

PLC Login
Password
Protection
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

This feature allows you to prevent unauthorized writes to the PLC via Modbus
commands. The password must be at least 1 character and may be up to 16
characters long. Valid characters are: a ... z, A ... Z, 0 ... 9. Spaces are NOT allowed
and the password is case sensitive. The default is no password. The PLC MUST be
stopped before entering a password. Checking the box labeled PLC level password
protection enables this option. The password is entered in two steps. First you enter
your password into a Concept dialog box to gain access to the PLC. Second, from
the main Concept menu select Online, Online Control Panel, then Set PLCPassword... The Change PLC-Password dialog box appears. Enter your password.
Then confirm with OK. To deactivate the password feature, enter the old password
and press OK. This prompts a confirm to remove.
The following figure shows the Change PLC Login Password screen.
Change PLC Password

Enter Old Password:

Enter New Password:

OK

20

Cancel

Help

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

When downloading a new executive to your PLC you MUST disable the PLC
password (via Concept) unless the PLC is stopped in a stop with error state. Under
this condition the Concept executive loader works. When a login password is lost,
you can gain access by using the following procedure: Push the Memory Protection
switch up to the Mem Prot position. Remove the Lithium battery from the PLC. Cycle
the power to the PLC. This procedure erases the battery-backup RAM without
loading the PLCs program from FLASH. Thus, returning the PLC to its initial,
unconfigured state with NO login password.
CTS/RTS
Communication
Delays for
Communication
Port 1
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

This feature allows you to set time delays for CTS or RTS independently for
Communication port 1 of your Compact PLC. The CTS delay sets the amount of time
between when the PLC receives CTS and when a Modbus slave response is
transmitted. The RTS delay is the amount of time the PLC waits to drop RTS after a
Modbus slave response is transmitted. This feature allows modem communications
with radios that require longer time frames. The delay time range is 0... 500ms using
10ms units. From the main Concept menu select Configure, then RTU Extension.
The RTU-Specific Parameters dialog box appears. Enter the time delays your
require. Then confirm with OK.
This is the CTS/RTS screen.
RTU Specific Parameters

Additional COM1-Delay
OK
RTS-Delay (x10 ms):
CTS-Delay (x10 ms):

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Cancel

21

Hardware

Secured Data
Area (SDA)
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

This feature allows you to configure an area in RAM that is secured from being
overwritten. Secured Data Area (SDA) is a block of the Compact PLCs RAM that is
set aside as 6x data space. The SDA can only be written to by specific functions that
require secured data storage (Gas Flow Calculation Audit Trails, etc.). General
purpose Modbus commands, built-ins, and loadables can NOT write to the SDA.
Modbus Read (function 20) is able to read from the SDA, Modbus Write (function
21) is NOT able to write to the SDA. The SDA size range is 0 ... 128K words using
ONLY 1K word blocks. From the main Concept menu, select Configure, then RTU
Extension. The RTU-Specific Parameters dialog box appears. Enter the size you
require. Then confirm with OK. Refer to the applicable user manual for the specific
function for the required SDA size. For example, for Gas Flow, refer to the Starling
Associates Gas Flow Loadable Function Block User Guide (890 USE 137 00).

Time Synchronization of the TOD

(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

This feature allows you to synchronize your PLCs Time-Of-Day (TOD) clock time
signal from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. This feature provides
accurate time stamping of logged data, and the synchronization of different PLCs
because the time synchronization is dependent on the scan of the PLC, the
accuracy is +/-10ms. Connect the 470 GPS 001 00 GPS Receiver to the PLCs
Interrupt Connections located on the front of your PLC. Refer to the User Information
shipped with the GPS module (Part Number 708874.21) and below. To see when
the time synchronize is present or not refer to bit 13 of word 1 (CPU-Status) of the
STAT Block. (See Word 182 - Health Status, p. 207). A 1 indicates you have a valid
signal and the TOD has been updated, a 0 indicates you are NOT receiving a time
signal. Connecting the GPS module to your PLC is very easy.
This is how to wire up the GPS module.
470 GPS 001 00 Receiver
1

E984-258/265/275/285
IN
M

+24Vdc

PLC Interrupt
Connection

GND

22

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

A120 I/O Support

The Compact Controllers work with Modicons A120 Series of low-cost I/O modules.
A120 modules are available in densities of four, eight, and sixteen discrete I/O
points; eight analog input channels; and two, four, and eight analog output channels.
In addition, speciality modules for positioning, servo control, simulators and filler
modules are available. Each module uses a standardized pair of screw-type terminal
blocks that facilitate easy access and easy field wiring; because the terminal blocks
are standardized and removable, they allow you to make module changes without
disturbing connections. A tool (AS-0TBP-000) to facilitate the removal of terminal
blocks is shipped with each Compact Controller.
Detailed descriptions of available A120 modules are found in the A120 Series I/O
Modules User Guide (890 USE 109 00 formerly GM-A984-IOS). To be sure that your
documentation is up to date, check with Modicon Customer Support or your area
distributor for the current revision level of this document.

Power Supplies

The A984s, E984-24x/25x, and the E984-258/265/275/285 CPUs use a +24 Vdc
source, and have a built-in power converter to provide 5 Vdc to the bus.
l 2.5 A is available across the I/O bus for all modules in A984s, E984-24x/251/255
systems.
l 2.5 A is available across the I/O bus for all modules in E984-258/285 systems.
l 3.0 A is available across the I/O bus for all modules in E984-265/275 systems.
Five optional power supplies are available: a P120-000 (115/230 Vac input), a P120125 (125 Vdc input), a P120-250 (240 Vac input), a PRTU-252 (240 Vac input), and
a PRTU-258 (240 Vac input) that provide +24 Vdc to the CPU.These external power
supplies may be used with any of the Compacts. See P120-000 Power Supply,
p. 178 for detailed specifications.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

23

Hardware

The A984-120/130 PLCs

A984-120/130
Front Panel

These two models have identically designed front panels, with one Modbus
communications interface, an EEPROM auxiliary memory socket, two slide switches
for memory protection and communication parameter selection, four LED indicators,
and a terminal strip for 24 Vdc power.
l The A984-120 (Compact Controller comes with 1 Modbus communication port,
2K state RAM, 1.5K words of user memory, 8Mhz CPU, and operating
temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
l The A984-130 (Compact Controller comes with 1 Modbus communication port,
2K state RAM, 4.0K words of user memory, 8Mhz CPU, and operating
temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
This is the front panel.
A984-120/130 PLC

Lithium Battery

EEPROM Socket

24 Vdc
M
o
d
b
u
s

Slide Switches

24

mem
prot

Memory Protect
Slide Switch

def
mem

Communication
Parameter
Slide Switch

ready
run
bat low
Modbus

LEDS

Two slide switches are located on the front panel of the controller directly above
LEDs, a memory protect switch and a communication parameter switch.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Memory Protect

The memory protect switch is the top switch; it serves two purposes:
l If on, it prevents a programming panel from overwriting the configuration or user
logic
l If off, it allows configuration and user logic changes. It also determines whether
or not the controller should read the configuration and user logic from an
EEPROM auxiliary memory card inserted in the EEPROM socket. This occurs
only at power-up.
This is the mem prot switch.
mem prot
ON
OFF

Communication
Parameter

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

The communication parameter switch-the bottom slide switch-is used to specify

whether you want to use the default communication parameters on the Modbus port
or specify whether you want to use previously configured and saved communication
parameters (See MODBUS Port Parameters (2-Position Slide Switch), p. 71.)

25

Hardware

LED Indicators

The following table lists the LED indicators and their meaning.
LED Indicator

Meaning

Ready (amber)

Controller has passed power-up diagnostics- LED is ON in unconfigured,

stopped, and run states as long as health status is valid; is OFF when
error condition detected by diagnostics.

Run (green)

Controller has started and is solving logic. If memory checksum fails this
light will blink 3 times for.5 seconds followed by a rest period of 2.5
seconds then the pattern repeats. The controller has detected a STOP
ERROR CODE and may require either restarting, reloading of the user
logic, or reloading of the executive firmware. If the controller attempts to
read the EEPROM card but fails, it terminates the power-up sequence
and flashes the RUN LED on the front panel continually until you cycle
power. Four flashes per second indicates that a checksum error was
detected; one flash per second indicates that the user logic program is
larger than the available memory.

Battery Low (red) Battery needs replacing-14 day hold-up from initial indication
Modbus (green)

Communications are active on the Modbus port

Note: A green power OK LED exists on the power supply board inside the
controller. It is located below the top surface of the unit, and is visible when the unit
is viewed from the top.

26

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

The A984-131/141 & E984-241/251 PLCs

A984-131/141
and E984-241/
251 PLCs Panels

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

These four models have identically designed front panels, with two Modbus
communications interfaces, an EEPROM auxiliary memory socket, two slide
switches for memory protection and communication parameter selection, five LED
indicators, and a terminal strip for 24 Vdc power.
l The A984-131 (Compact Controller comes with 2 Modbus communication ports,
4.0K words of user memory, 2K state RAM, 8Mhz CPU, and operating
temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
l The A984-141 (Compact Controller comes with 2 Modbus communication ports,
8.0K words of user memory, 2K state RAM, 8Mhz CPU, and operating
temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
l The E984-241 (Compact Controller comes with 2 Modbus communication ports,
FLASH RAM based system executive, 8.0K words of user memory, 2K state
RAM, 16Mhz CPU, and operating temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
l The E984-251 (Compact Controller comes with 2 Modbus communication ports,
FLASH RAM based system executive, 16.0K words of user memory, 24K of
(6xxxx) extended data register storage, 2K state RAM, 16Mhz CPU, and
operating temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).

27

Hardware

This is the panel.

A984-131/141 & E984-241/251 PLCs

Lithium Battery

EEPROM Socket

P
O
R
T
2
24 Vdc
P
O
R
T
1

Slide Switches

28

mem
prot

Memory Protect
Slide Switch

def
mem

Communication
Parameter Slide
Switch

ready
run
bat low
port 1
port 2

LEDs

Two slide switches are located on the front panel of the controller directly above
LEDs, a memory protect switch, and a communication parameter switch.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Memory Protect

The memory protect switch is the top switch; it serves two purposes:
l If on, it prevents a programming panel from overwriting the configuration or user
logic
l If off, it allows configuration and user logic changes. It also determines whether
or not the controller should read the configuration and user logic from an
EEPROM auxiliary memory card inserted in the EEPROM socket. This occurs
only at power-up.
This is the mem prot switch.
mem prot
ON
OFF

Communication
Parameter

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

The communication parameter switch (the bottom slide switch) is used to specify
whether you want to use the default communication parameters on Modbus port 1
or the previously configured and saved communication parameters. (See MODBUS
Port Parameters (2-Position Slide Switch), p. 71.)

29

Hardware

LED Indicators

The following table lists the LED indicators and their meaning.
LED Indicators

Meaning

Ready (amber)

Controller has passed power-up diagnostics- LED is ON in unconfigured,

stopped, and run states as long as health status is valid; is OFF when
error condition detected by diagnostics.

Run (green)

Controller has started and is solving logic. If memory checksum fails this
light will blink three times for.five seconds followed by a rest period of 2.5
seconds; then the pattern repeats. The controller has detected a STOP
ERROR CODE and may require either restarting, reloading of the user
logic, or reloading of the executive firmware. If the controller attempts to
read the EEPROM card and fails, it terminates the power-up sequence
and flashes the RUN LED on the front panel continually until you cycle
power. Four flashes per second indicates that a checksum error was
detected; one flash per second indicates that the user logic program is
larger than the available memory.

Battery Low (red) Battery needs replacing-14 day hold-up from initial indication
Port 1 (green)

Communications are active on Modbus Port 1

Port 2 (green)

Communications are active on Modbus Port 2

Note: A green power OK LED exists on the power supply board inside the
controller. It is located below the top surface of the unit. It is visible if the unit is
viewed from the top.

30

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

A984-145, E984-245/255 Controllers

A984-145, E984245/255 Front
Panel

These models have identically designed front panels, with two communications
interfaces, an EEPROM auxiliary memory socket, two slide switches for memory
protection and communication parameter selection, five LED indicators, and a
terminal strip for 24 Vdc power.
l The A984-145 (Compact Controller comes with 1 Modbus communication port, 1
Modbus Plus port, 8.0K words of user memory, 2K state RAM, 8Mhz CPU, and
operating temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
l The E984-245 (Compact Controller comes with 1 Modbus communication port, 1
Modbus Plus port, FLASH RAM based system executive, 8.0K words of user
memory, 2K state RAM, 16Mhz CPU, and operating temperature 0 ... 60 degrees
C).
l The E984-255 (Compact Controller comes with 1 Modbus communication port, 1
Modbus Plus port, FLASH RAM based system executive, 16.0K words of user
memory, 24K of (6xxxx) extended data register storage, 2K state RAM, 16Mhz
CPU, and operating temperature 0 ... 60 degrees C).
This is the front panel.
A984-145 & E984-245/255 PLCs
Modbus Plus
Addressing
DIP Switch

Lithium Battery

EEPROM Socket

24 Vdc

M
B
P
l
u
s
M
o
d
b
u
s

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

mem
prot

Memory Protect
Slide Switch

def
mem

Communication
Parameter Slide
Switch

ready
run
bat low
Modbus
MB Plus

LEDs

31

Hardware

Slide Switches

The communication parameter slide switch is used to select a bridge mode between
a Modbus master device and Modbus Plus. (For a detailed description of bridge
mode functionality and other Modbus Plus capabilities provided with the A984-145,
E984-245/255 Controller, see Bridge Mode Between Modbus and Modbus Plus,
p. 91. (See 9-Pin Port/Cable Pin-Outs, p. 70 for 9-pin cable pin-outs.)

Modbus Plus
6-Position DIP
Switch

These three models have identical MB Plus DIP Switches. (See 6-Position DIP
Switch -Node Addressing, p. 80.)

Modbus Plus
LED

Other than the bottom indicator, LEDs on these three models have the same
function as those on the E984-241/251. (Port 1 is labeled Modbus). (See LED
Indicators, p. 30.) The MB Plus LED is a green indicator that shows the type of
communications activity on the Modbus Plus port on A984-145, E984-245/255
Controllers.
A specific flash pattern indicates the nature of the Modbus Plus communication
activity. (See Modbus Plus LEDs A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285, p. 216 and
Modbus Plus LEDs, p. 86.)

32

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

The E984-258 Controller

E984-258 Front
Panel

This model has two Modbus communications interfaces (RJ45), two three position
slide switches for communication parameter selection, five LED indicators, and a
terminal strip for 24 Vdc power.
l The E984-258 (TSX Compact Controller comes with 2 Modbus communication
ports, 1Meg FLASH RAM based system executive, 512K SRAM, 16K words user
memory, 32K words State Ram, 48K words total, 128K words of configurable
SDA 6X registers, 25Mhz CPU, and operating temperature -40 ... +70 degrees C)
and the Run, Ready, Modbus 1 and Modbus 2 LEDs are yellow.
This is the front panel.
E984-258 PLC

E984-258C
has no
battery

Memory protect
slide switch
Communication
parameter
slide switch
LEDs

PLC interrupt
connection

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

33

Hardware

Slide Switches

Two three-position slide switches are located on the front of the CPU. The top
switch is used for memory protection when in the top position and no memory
protection in the middle and bottom position. The three-position slide switch on the
bottom is used to select the communication parameter settings for Modbus (RJ45)
port one. Three options are available. (See MODBUS Port Parameters (3-Position
Slide Switch), p. 76). For RJ45 cable pin-outs, see Connector Pinouts (RJ45 to 25Pin, p. 75).
Note: The E984-258 does not support a PCMCIA card.

PLC Interrupt
Connection

34

One two-position connection is located on the front of the CPU. It is used to connect
to the 470 GPS 001 00 Receiver for the time synchronization of the PLCs TOD clock.
(See Time Synchronization of the TOD (E984-258/265/275/285 Only), p. 22).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

LED Indicators

The following table shows LED Indicators on the E984-258 Controllers.

Indicator

Meaning

ready (yellow)

Controller has passed power-up diagnostics- LED is ON in

unconfigured, stopped, and start states as long as health status is
valid; is OFF when error condition detected by diagnostics.

run (yellow)

Controller has started and is solving logic. (See LED Error Codes,
p. 211) for the RUN LED error codes

battery low (red)

Battery needs replacing-10 day hold-up from initial indication (258C

has no battery)

Modbus 1 (yellow)

Communications are active on the Modbus port 1

Modbus 2 (yellow)

Communications are active on the Modbus port 2

Note: The E984-258C meets Railway standard EN 50 155 because it has yellow
LEDs, extended operating temperature, conformal coating and can operate with no
battery in addition to other requirements. Since no battery comes with the 258C,
the Battery Low LED is always ON. You may purchase and install a battery based
upon your needs. Simply replace the battery dummy (part number AS-BDUM-001)
with a battery and the Battery Low LED turns OFF.

CAUTION
No battery.
When NO battery is present you MUST save your ladder logic
(application) to internal FLASH before power is cycled. If you do not
save it to FLASH, your ladder logic (application) will be lost.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

35

Hardware

E984-265/275/285 Controllers
E984-265/275/
285 Front Panel

36

These three models have identically designed front panels, with three
communications interfaces, two three position slide switches for memory protection,
communication parameter selection, seven LED indicators, and a terminal strip for
24 Vdc power.
l The E984-265 (TSX Compact Controller comes with 1Meg FLASH RAM, 256K
SRAM, 8K words user memory, 16K words State Ram, 24K words total, 128K
words of configurable SDA 6X registers, 2 Modbus ports, and 1 Modbus Plus
port).
l The E984-275 (TSX Compact Controller comes with 1Meg FLASH RAM, 512K
SRAM, 16K words user memory, 32K words State Ram, 48K words total, 128K
words of configurable SDA 6X registers, 2 Modbus ports, 1 Modbus Plus port,
and PCMCIA auxiliary memory socket).
l The E984-285 (TSX Compact Controller comes with 1Meg FLASH RAM, 1024K
SRAM, 32K words user memory, 64K words State Ram, 96K words total, 128K
words of configurable SDA 6X registers, 2 Modbus ports, 1 Modbus Plus port,
and PCMCIA auxiliary memory socket).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

This is the panel.

E984-265/275/285 PLCs

Lithium
battery

Modbus plus
addressing
rotary switches

PCMCI LED

Memory protect/PCICIA slide switch

275/285 only
Memory protect
slide switch 285C/265 only
Communication
parameter
slide switch
LEDs

PLC interrupt
connection
Slide Switches

Two three-position slide switches are located on the front of the CPU. The top switch
is used as follows: for memory protection if in the top position; for no memory
protection in the middle position; and for swapping PCMCIA card (pull-PC 275/285
only) in the bottom position. The three-position slide switch on the bottom is used to
select the communication parameter settings for Modbus (RJ45) port 1. Three
options are available. See MODBUS Port Parameters (3-Position Slide Switch), p. 76.
For RJ45 cable pin-outs, (see RJ45 Port/Cable Pin-Outs, p. 72.)

Rotary Switches

Two rotary switches are used for setting Modbus Plus node and Modbus port
addresses. (See 10-Position Rotary Switches -Node Addressing, p. 84.)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

37

Hardware

PLC Interrupt
Connection

One two-position connection is located on the front of the CPU. It is used to connect
to the 470 GPS 001 00 Receiver for the time synchronization of the PLCs TOD
clock.(See Time Synchronization of the TOD (E984-258/265/275/285 Only), p. 22.)

LED Indicators

The following table shows the LED indicators and their purpose.

38

LED Indicator

Meaning

Ready (green)

Controller has passed power-up diagnostics- LED is ON in

unconfigured, stopped, and start states as long as health status is
valid; is OFF if error condition detected by diagnostics.

Run (green)

Controller has started and is solving logic. (See LED Error Codes,
p. 211 for the RUN LED error codes.)

Battery Low (red)

Battery needs replacing-10 day hold-up from initial indication

Modbus 1 (green)

Communications are active on the Modbus port 1

PC (green)

PCMCIA card can be swapped when on. (See Program Storage

using FLASH RAM & PCMCIA (E984-258/265/275/285 Only), p. 44
for more information about LED status.

Modbus Plus (green)

For details about Modbus Plus LED, see Modbus Plus LEDs, p. 86
and LED Error Codes, p. 211.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

EEPROM Auxiliary Memory Capability (A984-1xx/E984-24x/251/255 Only)

Auxiliary
Memory Socket

The A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 Controllers contain an auxiliary memory socket

for a credit card-sized EEPROM card on which system configuration and user logic
can be saved. System configuration and user logic data can be written to an
EEPROM card and used to back up the program stored in battery-backed RAM.
This is the socket location.

Adhesive
Pull-Tab

M
B
P
l
u
s

m
me

pro

dy
re a

An AS-MEEP-000 EEPROM card provides 32K bytes of auxiliary memory, and an

AS-MEEP-001 EEPROM card provides 8K bytes of auxiliary memory. (The 8K
EEPROM card can be used to store programs that use under 4K words of user
memory.) The card should be inserted into the socket with its label side facing the
communication ports and with the arrow on the label pointing toward the socket.
White MEEP card pull-tabs ship with the MEEP cards for better card extraction.
Note: A 32K MEEP card must be used if you are using either the PC-E984-251 or
PC-E984-255.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

39

Hardware

CAUTION
Do not insert EPROM card if controller is ON.
An EEPROM card must be inserted into or removed from the socket
only when the controller is OFF. Insertion or removal while the controller
is powered up can damage the EEPROM card.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

Writing to
EEPROM
Auxiliary
Memory

Using either Modsoft or Modsoft Lite programming software, you may write the
configuration and user logic to the EEPROM card. Users of the A984 Compact
controller may also predefine controller startup RUN state conditions and save 4X
registers. You may write to the EEPROM card while the controller is running and
while Modbus activity is occurring. However, no activity that writes to user memory
is allowed while writing to EEPROM is occurring.
Note: It is recommended that the Compact be in STOP Mode.
After inserting a blank EEPROM card into the controller, ensure that the memory
protect switch is in the ON position before turning power back on. If the switch is in
the OFF position, the controller will attempt to read a blank card at power up.
To write to an EEPROM card, you must be ON LINE or in Combine mode in
Modsoft. Under PLC OPS menu select Save to FLASH/EEPROM. If earlier
software versions are used, after download the controllers will start (or not start)
based on the last power-down state; 4X registers are not saved; and state RAM is
cleared if the controller powers up from Dim Awareness. If your user logic requires
specific information in state RAM, it must be initialized by the user logic.
Using any version of panel software, the 0984 series (ONLY) Compact controllers
saves the configuration and user logic but not the 4X register data. State RAM is
not cleared, and if your user logic requires specific information in state RAM, it must
be initialized by the user logic. Also, after download, the controller will come up in
its previous operating mode (RUN or STOPPED).
The write procedure verifies that an EEPROM card is actually present in the socket
and that the card has enough memory to store all the system data. It then
computes the checksum and verifies that the data has been written successfully. If
any errors occur in the writing process, an error message pops up on the screen;
if no errors are encountered, a message pops up to inform you that the EEPROM
write procedure has been accomplished.

40

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Reading
EEPROM System
Data

Data are read from an EEPROM card as part of the power-up sequence. If the
controller determines that a card is present in the socket, it checks the state of the
memory protect slide switch.
l If the switch is OFF, the controller tries to read the data
l If the switch is ON, the controller ignores the presence of the card.
If the controller attempts to read the EEPROM card but fails, it terminates the powerup sequence and flashes the RUN LED on the front panel continually until you cycle
power.
l Four flashes per second indicates that a checksum error was detected
l One flash per second indicates that the user logic program is larger than the
available memory.
If the controller successfully reads data from the EEPROM card, it sets a flag in
system memory that prohibits any further writing to memory locations.
Memory locations may be written to after power is turned off, the EEPROM card
removed, and power turned on.
The EEPROM card will bring controllers up in the appropriate operating mode (RUN
or STOPPED). In A984-1xx, E984-24x/25x controllers, the mode may be selected
at EEPROM Write time. In 0984 controllers without a functioning battery, the
EEPROM card will always bring the controller up in STOPPED mode, and you will
need a DAP or programming panel to get it into RUN mode.
In both the A984-1xx and 0984, 0X and 1X references are enabled when the
controller is set to RUN mode after EEPROM download. 0Xs are cleared when the
controller goes to RUN mode and 1Xs are updated on the first scan. In A984
controllers, 4X references are zeroed if not saved to EEPROM. The document
packed with the EEPROM card (GI-MEEP-RMF) contains an illustration of user logic
that may be used to zero out the 4X registers in 0984 controllers.

EEPROM
Memory Program
Migration

Where controller memory limitations are not exceeded, the rules governing
EEPROM memory program migration are:
l EEPROM programs from 0984 controllers can be loaded into A984-1xx
controllers.
l EEPROM programs from A984-1xx, E984-24x/25x controllers cannot be loaded
into 0984 controllers because the 0984 controllers do not acknowledge 4x
registers and return an error.
l A984-1xx, and E984-24x/25x controller EEPROM programs may be exchanged.
Note: The only other restriction may be due to the memory size of the individual
controller.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

41

Hardware

Editing Logic Loaded from EEPROM Card (A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 Only)

Editing Logic
From EEPROM
Card

An A984-1xx or an E984-24x/25x Controller loaded from an EEPROM card is

brought up in OPTIMIZED mode-i.e.; that is, either in RUN or STOPPED mode
(depending on the controllers previous operating state) but not in EDIT mode. EDIT
mode is required for programming the controller.
To modify the newly loaded logic, you must move the controller out of OPTIMIZED
mode and into the Ladder Logic area. There are two procedures for doing this: one
for a controller that has an active battery; and one for a controller with no battery.
Note: Remember that you cannot insert or remove the EEPROM card while the
controller is powered ON.

Editing
Procedure If
Controller Has a
Battery

42

Follow these steps to edit a controller that has an active battery.

Step

Action

Insert the EEPROM card with the desired logic into the slot in the controller, then
power up the unit. The controller should come up in OPTIMIZED mode with the
EEPROM logic and configuration data loaded.

Power down the controller.

Either remove the EEPROM card or turn ON (=) the memory protect slide switch.

Power up the controller again.

You must be ON LINE when using Modsoft. Choose either Select Program or
Direct to PLC. Check your Communications Parameters. Now you should be
in the ladder logic area where you can edit the EEPROM-loaded logic.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Editing
Procedure If
Controller Has
No Battery

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Follow these steps if the controller has no battery.

Step

Action

Insert the EEPROM card with the desired logic into the slot in the controller, then
power up the unit. The controller should come up in OPTIMIZED mode with the
EEPROM logic and configuration data loaded.

Using Transfer in your panel software, upload the logic program to the
programming panel.

Power down the controller.

Either remove the EEPROM card or turn ON (=) the memory protect slide switch.

Power up the controller again.

Using Transfer, download the program from the panel back to the controller.

You must be ON LINE when using Modsoft. Choose either Select Program or
Direct to PLC. Check your Communications Parameters. Now you should be
in the ladder logic area where you can edit the EEPROM-loaded logic.

43

Hardware

Program Storage using FLASH RAM & PCMCIA (E984-258/265/275/285 Only)

Program Storage
Overview

The E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs feature 1 megabyte of internal FLASH RAM. 480

kilobytes are available for application storage. The remaining area is reserved for
kernel, executive, and special code use. In addition, the E984-275/285 PLCs have
a PCMCIA auxiliary memory socket for storage.
The E984-275/285 PLCs supports industry standard memory size PCMCIA cards
up to 4 megabytes. You can use this area of memory (PCMCIA/FLASH RAM) to
store the controller and I/O configuration, ladder logic programs, and 4x registers.
PCMCIA FLASH/FLASH RAM memory cards offer a more permanent means of
storage over battery backed storage. They have the added benefit of transporting
data onto other PLC platforms.
Two PCMCIA cards are available from Modicon: AS-FLSH-004; (4 megabytes,
150nS, -40 ... +70C, without conformal coating, with pull-tab), and AS-FLSH-004C;
(4 megabytes, 150nS, -40 ... +70C, with conformal coating, with pull-tab). These
PLCs require AMD commercial PCMCIA cards, (part number AmCOXXCFLKA, 150
nS, 0 ... 60C, XX is the memory size of the card), or its equivalent, provided it uses
AMD FLASH chips.
Note: The E984-258/265 does not support the PCMCIA card.

Note: Applications stored on EEPROM using 0984, A984 or E984-24x/251/255

PLCs cannot be transferred into FLASH RAM on the E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs.

Writing to
PCMCIA/Internal
FLASH RAM
Auxiliary
Memory

Writing is performed by using the available options in Concept 2.1 or higher

programming panel software. Click on Online, Online Control Panel, Stop controller,
Yes, Flash program. The Save to Flash screen appears after following this
sequence.
Note: The Flash Program option is accessible only if Connected and the Concept
project and PLC program are equal.

Note: It is recommended that the Compact be in STOP Mode. FLASH is

unavailable if the controller is running.

44

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

Storing to the
PCMCIA or
Internal FLASH
Card

Save to FLASH stores information to the PCMCIA or internal FLASH card. The
following table describes the options that are available from the Save to Flash
screen. When the save to FLASH is performed, the configuration, IEC and 984 LL
are all stored to the PCMCIA card or internal FLASH depending on your selection.
Option

Description

Internal

Stores, RAM information to the internal on board FLASH of the

PLC.PCMCIA stores, RAM information to the PCMCIA card.

Start After Power Up

Automatically starts the PLC after downloading an application

from the PCMCIA card

Stop After Power Up

Automatically stops the PLC after downloading an application

from the PCMCIA card

Allow Editing After Power Allows edits after download to controller.

Up
Save State RAM

Stores the information in 4x registers to the PCMCIA card

Number of 4x Registers
to Save

Determines the number of 4x registers to save to the PCMCIA

card

Clear FLASH

erases the information on the PCMCIA card or in internal FLASH

Note: Five PCMCIA card pull-tabs (individual part number 042710748) ship with
these PLCs for better card extraction. Additional pull-tabs may be purchased in
quantities of fives (part number 042710786). (See PLC Accessories, p. 194 for
recommended PCMCIA cards.)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

45

Hardware

PCMCIA
Operations and
PLC Power Up

Reading the PCMCIA/FLASH RAM data is performed automatically.

The following table describes the PLC power up state in relation to PCMCIA loading.
FLASH RAM or
PCMCIA Card

PLC

MEM
Switch

Concept
Dialog

Result

Application present Not

configured

Off

If Dialog box
was checked, it
starts after
download.

Application is loaded from

the PCMCIA card to the RAM
of the PLC and the PLC
starts running automatically.

Application NOT
present

Not
configured

Off

Not applicable

PLC operates normally

Application NOT
present

Not
configured

On

Not Applicable

PLC operates normally

Application present Configured

Off

If Dialog box
was checked, it
starts after
download.

Application is loaded from

the PCMCIA card to the RAM
of the PLC and the PLC
starts running automatically.

Application NOT
present

Configured

Off

Not Applicable

PLC operates normally

Application NOT
present

Configured

On

Not Applicable

PLC operates normally

Note: If your application is stored in both internal FLASH and the PCMCIA card
and the battery backed RAM is lost on power-up, the PLC first checks the internal
FLASH, then the PCMCIA card.

46

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware

PCMCIA LED
Error Conditions

If any the error conditions listed in the following table occurs, the loading of an
application to the PLCs memory is terminated, and the PC LED (PCMCIA) blinks
indicating the specific error detected.
Note: Remember that only the E984-275/285 have a PC LED (PCMCIA).
These are the PC LED (PCMCIA)-Error Conditions (E984-275/285):
# of Flashes PC LED (PCMCIA)

PCMCIA Card
Insertion

Description of Error Condition

1 Flash

No PCMCIA driver for the inserted card

2 Flashes

Invalid checksum

3 Flashes

Security signature in the PLC does NOT match the

PCMCIA card-

4 Flashes

Model mismatch

5 Flashes

PCMCIA driver error

The PCMCIA cards are keyed. Ensure that the top of the PCMCIA card is aligned
with the top of the PLC PCMCIA slot.
The following figure shows the correct PCMCIA alignment.
TOP of PCMCIA card is keyed.

Align top of PCMCIA card with the top

of the PLC.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

47

Hardware

48

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software Support

2
At a Glance
Introduction

This chapter describes the software packages that support the Compact family. All
of the elements of the Compact PLC instruction set are listed.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Topic

Page

Panel Software Support

50

The Compact Instruction Set

53

49

Software

Panel Software Support

Overview

The Compact Controllers may be configured, I/O Mapped, and programmed using
Concept panel software, full-feature Modsoft panel software, or Modsoft Lite
(depending upon the model).
All of these software packages can be installed on the Modicon P230, an IBM-AT,
or a compatible computer. The programming and configuration editors used for
Compact are similar to those used for other 984s; special I/O Map screens have
been designed for A120 I/O modules.

Concept
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

Concept may be used with the E984-258/265/275/285 models.

Concept contains Function Block Diagram (FBD) and Sequential Function Chart
(SFC) programming languages as well as a subset of data types of the international
IEC 1131-3 norm.
Concept includes the following features:
l FBD depicts process data flow for both discrete and continuous control
applications.
l SFC provides a graphical representation of the process.
l EFB is a "C" toolkit that allows you to create custom function blocks.
l Structured Text is ideal for implementing complex equations.
l Ladder Diagram (ladder logic) complies with the IEC 1131-3 ladder diagram
specification.
l LL984, inside Concept, provides the same tools as Modsoft 984 ladder logic.
Concept operates with Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000. The E984-258/
265/275/285 models are supported by the following two Concept software
packages: Concept M (372 SPU 472 01 V25) and Concept XL (372 SPU 474 01
V25).
Note: You must use Concept 2.1 or higher with the E984-258/265/275/285 models;
Modsoft does not support these models. For a detailed description of Concept and
its operations, see the Concept User Manual (840 USE 493 0x).

50

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

Modsoft Lite
(A984-1xx, E98424x/251/255
Only)

Modsoft Lite (371SPU921000) is provided on 3.5 inch diskettes.

Standard panel software packages include the editors listed in the following table.
Editor

Description

Configurator

Defines controller and communication parameters, allocates memory,

accesses controller operations and specials (e.g., battery coil register, timer
register, and time-of-day clock)

I/O Map

Links discrete and register reference numbers to modules in the I/O

subsystems. Defines I/O data types

Programmer

Generates, edits, monitors ladder logic, and accesses controller

Transfer

Loads programs from disk to controller, records 984 memory to disk, and
compares programs on disk and in memory

Print

Generates hard copy of user logic program and prints user comments

Environment

Defines default configurations for the panel software (e.g., printer setup, file
locations, and so forth

For a detailed description of Modsoft lite and its operations, see the Modsoft Lite
Programmer User Manual (GM-MSLT-001).
Modsoft FullFeature (A9841xx, E984-24x/
251/255 Only)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Modsoft full-feature (SW-MSxD-9SA) is an integrated software tool for

programming, testing, and documenting application logic for 984 controllers. The
full-feature Modsoft package includes all of the Modsoft Lite editor functions as well
as enhanced features, such as sequential function chart (SFC) and macros.

51

Software

Sequential
Function
Charting

SFC is especially suitable for sequential processes because it allows you to

generate programs that are organized in steps (rather than in linear ladder logic
sequence). A sequential function chart can solve multiple networks in a parallel link
or one in a choice of several networks in a selective link. Logic is solved within a
block until a specified transition event informs the CPU to move to the next step.
SFC allows application software to be created in a format that more closely emulates
an actual machining procedure or process flow. It can help improve system
throughput by solving only those networks specified by transition events rather than
moving linearly through each network in the program on every scan.
Modsoft macros simplify the task of generating and updating large numbers of
repetitive network structures. They allow you to create a repetitive structure once
only, then specify the node values using macro parameters rather than standard 984
reference numbers. Each macro can contain up to 66 macro parameters by using
(*) wild card characters in your naming scheme, you can create thousands of
parameters per macro.
Note: If you are using full-feature Modsoft to develop application logic for a
Compact system that will use full Modsoft as its permanent programming software,
be careful about the use of SFC and macro ladder logic.
You can develop your programs using the /p switch. This switch prevents you from
creating SFC logic and does not reserve any registers or coils for SFC us. Do not
use macros in this case.
Alternatively, you may develop programs with SFC and macros, then use the
convert-to-file menu in Modsoft to produce an equivalent program in standard
ladder logic that will run with other panel software.
For a detailed description of full-feature Modsoft and its operations, see the Modsoft
Programmer User Manual (890 USE 115 00).

52

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

The Compact Instruction Set

Overview

The Compact instruction set is dependent on the Compact model:

l The A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 supports 984 ladder logic only. In contrast, the
E984-258/265/275/285 supports 984 ladder logic and IEC 1131-3.
l The specific instructions listed below are available for the A984-1xx, E984-24x/
251/255, and E984-258/265/275/285 models as noted.

984 Ladder Logic

(A984-1xx, E98424x/251/255
Only)

Resident in the executive firmware of the Compact Controller is a set of six ladder
logic programming elements and several ladder logic programming instructions that
depend on the controller model.
MSTR and CKSM are never available together. All compacts (A984-145, E984-245/
255) that use Modbus Plus use MSTR. All others use CKSM. Compact models
E984-251/255 use XMRD and XMWT. Therefore, all compacts except E984-245/
255 have 36 functions and the E984-245/255 Compacts have 38 functions.

984 Ladder Logic

& IEC 1131-3
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

Resident in executive firmware of the E984-258/265/275/285 Controller is a set of

six ladder logic programming elements and more than 80 ladder logic programming
instructions.
The following table lists the standard ladder logic programming elements.
Symbol

Meaning

-| |-

A normally open contact

-|\|-

A normally closed contact

-|=|-

A positive transitional contact

-|O|-

A negative transitional contact

-( )-

A normal coil

-(L)-

A latched or memory-retentive coil

For more information about these instructions, see the Modicon Ladder Logic Block
Library User Guide (840 USE 101 00).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

53

Software

984 Ladder Logic

Instruction Set

The three tables that follow list, in detail, all of the ladder logic programming
instructions used by Compact.
The following table describes the Counters, Timers, (Two Nodes); Calculations, and
Other Math (Three Nodes) instructions in the Compact Instruction set.
Instruction

Description

Counters and Timers UCTR

(Two-Nodes)
DCTR

Counts up from 0 to a preset value

Calculations
(Three-Nodes)

Other Math
(Three-Nodes)

54

Counts down from a preset value to 0

T1.0

Timer that measures in seconds

T0.1

Timer that measures in tenths of a second

T.01

Timer that measures in hundredths of a second

T1MS

A timer that increments in milliseconds E984-258/265/275/

285 only

ADD

Adds top node value to middle node value

SUB

Subtracts middle node value from top node value

MUL

Multiplies top node value by middle node value

DIV

Divides top node value by middle node value

AD16

Signed/unsigned 16-bit addition E984-258/265/275/285

only

SU16

Signed/unsigned 16-bit subtraction E984-258/265/275/285

only

MU16

Signed/unsigned 16-bit multiplication E984-258/265/275/

285 only

DV16

Signed/unsigned 16-bit division E984-258/265/275/285 only

ITOF

Signed/unsigned integer-to-floating point conversion E984258/265/275/285 only

FTOI

Floating point-to-signed/unsigned integer conversion E984258/265/275/285 only

BCD

Converts binary values to BCD values and BCD values to

binary values E984-258/265/275/285 only

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

The following table describes the DX Moves (Three Nodes), DX Matrix (Three
Nodes), and Skip Node (One Node) instructions in the Compact Instruction set.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Instruction

Description

DX Moves
R"T
(Three-Nodes) T"R

Moves register values to a table

Moves table values to only one register.

T"T

Moves a specified set of values from one table to another table

BLKM

Moves a specified block of data

TBLK

Moves a block of data from a table to another specified block area

BLKT

Moves a block of registers to specified locations in a table

FIN

First-in operation to a queue

FOUT

First-out operation from a queue

SRCH

Performs a table search

IBKR

Accesses data in non-contiguous registers and reads the data

into a contiguous block of registers. E984-258/265/275/285 only

IBKW

Accesses data in a contiguous block of registers and writes the

data into several non-contiguous registers. E984-258/265/275/
285 only

TEST

Compares signed or unsigned values between two 16-bit

registers and outputs the results based upon the relationship
E984-258/265/275/285 only

STAT

Displays status registers from status table in system memory

XMWT

Allows you to write to the 24K words of extended registers (6xxxx)

XMRD

Allows you to read the 24K words of extended registers (6xxxx)

DIOH

Retrieves health data from a specified group of drops on a

distributed I/O network

55

Software

Instruction
DX Matrix
(Three-Nodes)

Skip-Node
(One-Node)

56

Description
AND

Logically ANDs two matrices

OR

Does logical inclusive OR of two matrices

XOR

Does logical exclusive OR of two matrices

COMP

Performs the logical complement of values in a matrix

CMPR

Logically compares the values in two matrices

NOBT

Senses the logic state of a bit in a register. The bit represents an

N.O. contact. E984-258/265/275/285 only

NCBT

Senses the logic state of a bit in a register. The bit represents an

N.C. contact. E984-258/265/275/285 only

SBIT

Sets the state of a specified bit to ON. E984-258/265/275/285

only

RBIT

Clears a latched-ON bit. E984-258/265/275/285 only

NBIT

Controls the state of a bit in a register. E984-258/265/275/285

only

MBIT

Logical bit modify

SENS

Logical bit modify

BROT

Logical bit rotate

CKSM

Performs one of four possible checksum operations (Built-in for

E984-241/251, no MSTR function supported)

SCIF

Provides tenor drum sequencer functionality and the ability to do

input comparisons within the application program E984-258/265/
275/285 only

IMIO

Permits access of specified I/O modules from within ladder logic.

E984-258/265/275/285 only

SKIP

Skips to a specified network

SKPC

(Skip constant) Skips a specified number of networks

SKPR

(Skip register) Skips a specified number of networks using a

value stored in a 3x or 4x register

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

The following table describes Process Control Function Library (PCFL) (ThreeNodes) and the Ladder Logic Subroutine Instructions in the Compact Instruction
set.
Instruction

Description

Process Control AIN

Function Library
(PCFL)
AOUT
(Three-Nodes)
ALARM

Scales raw analog input into engineering units for calculations. E984-258/265/275/285
only

Ladder Logic
Subroutine
Instructions
(Two-Nodes)

Calculates signals for analog output modules. E984-258/265/275/285 only

Handles alarm limits on process variables. E984-258/265/275/285 only

AVER

Calculates the average of up to four weighted inputs. E984-258/265/275/285 only

CALC

Calculates a preset formula with up to four inputs. E984-258/265/275/285 only

EQN

A formatted equation calculator used for equations that have four or fewer variables but
does not fit into the CALC format. E984-258/265/275/285 only

DELAY

Builds a series of readings for time-delay compensation in the logic. E984-258/265/275/

285 only

INTEG

Integrates over a specified time interval. E984-258/265/275/285 only

LIMIT

Limits the input to a range between a specified high and low value. E984-258/265/275/
285 only

LLAG

Provides dynamic compensation for a known disturbance. E984-258/265/275/285 only

MODE

Sets up a manual or automatic station for enabling and disabling data transfers to the
next block. E984-258/265/275/285 only

ONOFF

Controls the output signal between fully ON and fully OFF conditions so that you can
manually force the output ON or OFF. E984-258/265/275/285 only

PID

Performs closed loop control. E984-258/265/275/285 only

RAMP

Ramps up linearly to a target set point at a specified approach rate. E984-258/265/275/

285 only

RATE

Calculates the rate of change over the last two input values. E984-258/265/275/285
only

SEL

Compares up to four inputs and makes a selection based upon either the highest,
lowest, or average value. E984-258/265/275/285 only

PI

Performs simple PID. E984-258/265/275/285 only

KPID

Offers a superset of the functionality of the PID function. E984-258/265/275/285 only

RATIO

Provides a four-station ratio controller. E984-258/265/275/285 only

TOTAL

Provides a material totalizer for batch processing reagents. E984-258/265/275/285 only

JSR

Jumps from scheduled logic scan to a ladder logic subroutine

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

57

Software

Instruction

Description

(Two-Nodes)
(One-Node)

LAB

Labels the entry point of a ladder logic subroutine

RET

Returns from the subroutine to scheduled logic

PID Instruction
(Three-Nodes)

PID2

Performs a specified proportional-integral-derivative function

Enhanced Math
(Three-Nodes)

EMTH

Performs 38 math operations, including floating point math operations and extra integer
math operations such as square root

Ladder Logic
Interrupt
Instructions
(Two-Nodes)

ITMR

Defines an interval timer that generates interrupts into the ladder logic scan. E984-258/
265/275/285 only

(One-Node)

ID

Protects data in both the normal (scheduled) ladder logic and the (unscheduled)
interrupt handling subroutine logic. E984-258/265/275/285 only

(One-Node)

IMIO

Permits access of specified I/O modules from within ladder logic that differs from the
normal I/O processing procedure. E984-258/265/275/285 only

(One-Node)

IE

Protects data in both the normal (scheduled) ladder logic and the (unscheduled)
interrupt handling subroutine logic. E984-258/265/275/285 only

(Three-Nodes)

BMDI

Protects data in both the normal (scheduled) ladder logic and the (unscheduled)
interrupt handling subroutine logic. E984-258/265/275/285 only

Modbus Plus
Networking
Instruction
(Three-Nodes)

MSTR

Specifies a function from a menu of networking operations (This function is available

only on the A984-145, E984-245/255, and E984-265/275/285 Controllers that support
Modbus Plus communications. No CKSM supported for E984-245/255)

Application
Specific (ThreeNodes)

SAVE

Saves a block of 4x registers to state RAM where they are protected from unauthorized
modification. E984-258/265/275/285 only

LOAD

Loads a block of 4x registers (previously SAVEd) from state RAM where they are
protected from unauthorized modification. E984-258/265/275/285 only

58

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

Compact
Loadable
Software
Instructions

You can add loadable instructions to the resident instruction set.

The following table describes the loadable software instructions that are available
for Compact.
Three-Nodes

FNxx

Allows you to develop your own custom loadable function blocks.

Modicon part number SW-AP98-GDA.

DRUM
Simplifies implementation of sequential step-oriented logic.
and ICMP Modicon part number SW-AP98-SxA.
EARS

Supports an event/alarm recording system by tracking and

reporting time-stamped messages. Modicon part number SWAP9D-EDA.

HLTH

Detects changes in the I/O system and reports problems on an

exception-only basis. Modicon part number SW-HLTH-D8L.

Gxxx

Measures gas flow using several industry standards. Modicon

part number 309 ULD 455 00. E984-251/255, E984-258/265/
275/285 supports all gas functions. A984-141/145, E984-241/
245 supports GD92 and G392 only.

XMIT

Transmit for sending Modbus messages from master PLC to

multiple slave PLCs or to ASCII printers. Modicon part number
309 COM 455 00. E984-241/245/251/255 only

For more information about these instructions, see the Modicon Ladder Logic Block
Library User Guide (840 USE 101 00) or the manual that describes the respective
loadable.
Note: For every 10 bytes of.EXE that are loaded, you lose one node of ladder logic
if you are using an A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 PLC model, or an E984-258/265/
275/285 PLC model.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

59

Software

XMWT AND
XMRD Function
Blocks (E984251/255 Only)

The Extended Memory function blocks XMWT and XMRD function as described in
the Modicon Ladder Logic Block Library User Guide (840 USE 101 00) with two
exceptions, as noted below. The functions are available from the panel DX selection
when E984-251/255 is configured
l The bottom input is ignored because the E984-251/255 can not detect memory
errors as it reads or writes to the extended memory.
l The status word bits 14 and 15 are not used because the memory does not have
parity and the extended memory is not separated from the remainder of the
Controller memory.
XMWT Block: The top node refers to the address of the first reference to get for
transfer to the 6X area. The middle node and Reference Data shows the 6X
register control block associated with Extended Memory transfers.
The following figure shows the XMWT block.
1 = Enable

400100

1 = Active

1 = Does not
clear offset

400400
XMWT

1 = Error

#00001

1 = Complete

Reference Data:
400100 Source_add
400401 Status
400402 File_Number
400403 Start 6X
400404 Count
400405 Nmbr_done
400406 Max_reg

60

0 Dec
1 Dec
9999 Dec (Max 9999)
9999 Dec (Max 9999)
0 Dec (Keeps running total of
transfers
9999 Dec (Max 9999)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

The extended memory Modbus read and write functions are described in the
Modbus Protocol Reference Guide (PI-MBUS-300) as Read/Write General
Reference function codes 20 and 21. The only difference in the E984-251/255 extra
register implementation is the size of the extended memory, which changes the
number of files and the number of registers.
The following table show the E984-251/255 extra register implementation.
Type

E984-251

E984-255

State RAM

2K words

2K words

Extended Memory

24K words

24K words

Number of Files

3 files

3 files

Registers in last File

4K words

4K words

Note: Incrementing the pointer beyond 9999 results in an error. However, if the
count is larger, the function block accesses the next file.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

61

Software

SAVE Instruction
Block
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

The SAVE block saves a block of 4x registers to state RAM. State RAM protects the
registers from unauthorized modification.
l The size is three nodes
l The PLC compatibility is PC-E984-258, PC-E984-265, PC-E984-275, and PCE984-285.
l The opcode is 54 hex
The following figure shows the block structure of the SAVE block.
Start SAVE
operation

4xxxx

1, 2, 3, 4

SAVE is active

SAVE not allowed

SAVE
#0512

l Inputs
l

l
l

62

SAVE has one control input that starts the operation and it should remain ON until
the operation has completed successfully or an error has occurred.
Outputs
SAVE may produce two possible outputs. The outputs from the top node goes
ON while a SAVE operation is in progress. The output from the middle node goes
ON when previously saved data has not been accessed using the LOAD
instruction. This prevents inadvertent overwriting of data in the SAVE buffer.
Top Node Content
The top node specifies a block of 4x registers to be saved to state RAM. The 4x
register entered here defines the beginning register of the block.
Middle Node Content
The middle node defines the specific buffer, within state RAM, where the block of
data is to be saved. Four 512 word buffers are allowed. Each buffer is defined by
placing its corresponding value in the middle node, that is, the value 1 represents
the first buffer, value 2 represents the second buffer and so on. The legal values
are 1, 2, 3, and 4. When the PLC is started all four buffers are zeroed. Therefore,
you may not SAVE data to the same buffer without first transferring data in the
buffer to 4x registers by using the LOAD instruction. When this is attempted the
middle output goes ON. In other words, once a buffer is used, it may not be used
again until the data has been removed.
Bottom Node Content
The bottom node contains the number of holding registers to be saved. The range
is 1 ... 512.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

LOAD
Instruction Block
(E984-258/265/
275/285 Only)

The LOAD block loads a block of 4x registers (previously saved) from state RAM
where they are protected from unauthorized modification.
l The size is three nodes high
l The PLC compatibility is PC-E984-258, PC-E984-265, PC-E984-275, and PCE984-285.
l The opcode is 55 hex
The following figure shows the block structure of the LOAD block.
Start LOAD
operation

4xxxx

LOAD is active

1, 2, 3, 4

Nothing SAVED

LOAD

Length not equal to SAVED length

#0512

l Inputs
l

l
l

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

LOAD has one control input that starts the operation and it should remain ON until
the operation has completed successfully or an error has occurred.
Outputs
LOAD may produce three possible outputs. The outputs from the top node goes
ON while a LOAD operation is in progress. The output from the middle node goes
ON when a LOAD is requested from a buffer where no data has been saved.
Therefore, no LOAD is allowed. This prevents inadvertent overwriting of data in
state RAM. The output from the bottom node goes ON when a LOAD request is
not equal to the registers that were saved.
Top Node Content
The top node specifies a block of 4x registers to be loaded from state RAM. The
4x register entered here defines the beginning register of the block.
Middle Node Content
The middle node defines the specific buffer where the block of data is to be
loaded. Four 512 word buffers are allowed. Each buffer is defines by placing its
corresponding value in the middle node, that is, the value 1 represents the first
buffer, value 2 represents the second buffer and so on. The legal values are 1, 2,
3, and 4. When the PLC is started all four buffers are zeroed. Therefore, you may
not LOAD data from the same buffer without first saving it. When this is attempted
the middle output goes ON. In other words, once a buffer is used, it may not be
used again until the data has been removed.
Bottom Node Content
The bottom node contains the number of words to be loaded. The range is 1...
512.

63

Software

Description of
the DLOG
Instruction Block
(E984-275/285
Only)

The DLOG (data logging) block allows state RAM data to be recorded into the
memory of a PCMCIA card using ladder logic.
Note: Each segment in the PCMCIA card MUST be erased before any locations,
in the segment, are written, this is necessary because the PCMCIA driver does not
allow 0 bits in the card to be changed to 1 bits via a write command. Only an erase
can make this change.
The DLOG (data logging) block has the following characteristics:
l The size is three nodes high
l The PLC compatibility is PC-E984-275, and PC-E984-285.
l The opcode is 56 hex

64

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

Representation

The following information describes the representation of the DLOG instruction

block.
The following figure represents the block structure.
Enable DLOG
operation

control
block

Terminate active
DLOG operation

data
area
DLOG

Operation is active

DLOG Error
Operation successful

length

The following list provides detailed information about inputs to, outputs from, sand
the node content of DLOG.
l Inputs
DLOG has two possible control inputs:
l The top input should remain ON until the operation has completed
successfully or an error occurs.
l The middle input stops the active operation of the instruction block.
Note that data format and its frequency of writing is determined by your
application. Note also that the DLOG block operates only with AMD flash cards.
For information about Compact Accessories for PCMCIA cards, refer to Compact
Accessories, p. 193.
l Outputs
DLOG can produce three possible outputs:
l The outputs from the top node goes ON while a DLOG operation is in
progress.
l The output from the middle node goes ON if DLOG detects an error during a
DLOG operation.
l The output from the bottom node goes ON if DLOG operation is successfully
completed.
l Top Node Content

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

65

Software

The following table defines the 4x registers in the DLOG control block.
Register Function

Description

Content

4x

Error Status

This register displays

DLOG errors in Hex.

1=The count parameter > the DLOG

block length during a WRITE
operation (01) or read operation
(02),2=PCMCIA card operation
failed when initial started (write/
read/erase), 3=PCMCIA card
operation failed during execution
(write/read/erase)

4x+1

DLOG Function

This register specifics

which DLOG function
to perform.

1=Write to PCMCIA Card,2=Read

from PCMCIA Card,3=Erase One
Block in the PCMCIA Card,4=Erase
the Entire PCMCIA Card Content

4x+2

PCMCIA Card
Block Identifier

This register identifies

a particular block
located on the
PCMCIA card (1
block=65535 words)

0 ... 31 Max. for a 4Meg PCMCIA

card. (The number of blocks are
dependent on the memory size of
the PCMCIA card)

4x+3

PCMCIA Card
Byte Address
within the Block
Identified

This register identifies

a starting range of
words located within a
particular block on the
PCMCIA card.

0 ... 65,535 words*

4x+4

4x Register
Counter

This register specifies

the number of 4x
registers to be written
to or read from the
PCMCIA card within
the limits length set in
the button node.

1 ... 100*

*Note: No Read or Write can be > 65,536 words. Therefore, your PCMCIA Card Address
within the Block Identified (4x+3) plus your 4x Register Counter (4x+4) MUST NOT exceed
65,536 words.

66

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Software

l Middle Node Content

The data area comprises a group of contiguous holding registers. The 4x register
entered in the middle node is the first holding register in the group.
l For the Write operation, the data area is the source of the data.
l For the Read operation, the data area is the destination of the data.
l Bottom Node Content
The bottom node contains the length (the number of 4x registers) of the data
area. The range is 1 ... 100.
Note: The PCMCIA card does not allow a Write command to change 0 bits (in the
card) to 1 bits. Therefore, each segment in a PCMCIA card must be erased before
you can write to any location in the segment. Only an Erase command can make
this change.

Relocating Logic
from One 984 to
Another

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

The only constraints on logic relocation are that the program in the source controller
must generate logic that implements only instruction and/or function blocks
acceptable to the target controller. Also, the size of the source logic program must
not exceed the memory limits of the target controller.
For a detailed description of relocating 984 logic and its operations, see the Modsoft
Programmer User Manual (890 USE 115 00).

67

Software

68

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabilities

3
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information describes the communication features of the Compact

family.
Note: (See Compact Specifications, p. 159) for complete controller specifications.

Whats in this
Chapter?

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic

Page

Modbus Communications A984 & E984-241/251

70

Modbus Communications E984-258/265/275/285

72

Generic Modbus Communication Functions

79

Modbus Plus Communications A984-145, E984-245/255

80

Modbus Plus Communications E984-265/275/285

84

Modbus Plus LEDs

86

Generic Modbus Plus Communications

87

Modbus Plus Capabilities for Compact

88

Bridge Mode Between Modbus and Modbus Plus

91

Modbus Plus Address Routing Schemes

94

Direct, Explicit, and Implicit Attaches

97

Modbus Plus Communication Paths

99

69

Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Communications A984 & E984-241/251

9-Pin Port/Cable
Pin-Outs

Modbus Protocol
Features

70

The A984-1xx and E984-241/251 CPUs are equipped with a nine-pin RS-232C
connector that supports Modicons proprietary Modbus communication protocol.
l For connection to a 25-pin XT-type panel, use a Modicon W951 (null modem)
cable or the cable shown in the figure that follows.
l For connection to a 9-pin AT-type panel, use a Modicon AS-W952-01 2 cable.
The W952 cable is 12 ft long.
The following figure shows the Modbus port pinouts (Controller to 9-Pin and 25Pin Panel Connections)
Quantum
IBM-XT
Quantum
IBM-AT
9-Pin Female
CD
1

9-Pin Male
1 SHIELD

RX

RX

TX

RX

TX

TX

RX

TX

DTR

DTR

RTS

DTR

GROUND5

5 GROUND

CTS

GROUND

DSR

DSR

DSR

RTS

RTS

GROUND 7

RTS

CTS

CTS

NC

CTS

NC

DTR

20

NC

DSR

25-Pin Female
SHIELD 1

9-Pin Male
1 SHIELD

The Modbus protocol can be used for programming or for data transfer; the
controller responds to transactions initiated by a host device connected to the
controllers communication processor at a Modbus port. Modbus facilitates
communication with host devices, such as a programming panel or a P965 Data
Access Panel, and it also supports a multi-controller (master-slave) communications
networking strategy. The P965 does not support the E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabiliites

MODBUS Port
Parameters
(2-Position Slide
Switch)

Use the communication parameter slide switch on the front panel of the controller to
specify Modbus port parameters as follows.
l In the default position ( = ), port one automatically adopts these parameters:
9600 baud, EVEN parity, RTU mode.
l In the mem position ( O ) the port assumes the parameters that you have
specified in the configurator editor in panel software.
l Use of this switch in the context of Modbus Plus communications is discussed in
Modbus Plus Communications E984-265/275/285, p. 84
The first time that you connect a programming panel to start the controller, your
panel device must use the following Modbus port parameters: 9600 baud, EVEN
parity, RTU mode, 1 stop bit, Modbus port address 1.
The following figure shows the Modbus port switch.
default

mem

9600 Baud, EVEN Parity, RTU Mode

(1 Stop Bit, 8 Data Bits)
Modbus Port Address 1
Port 1 - 50, 75, 110, 150, 300, 600, 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200 Baud
EVEN/ODD/NO Parity (1/2 Stop Bits)
RTU (8 Data Bits) or ASCII (7 Data Bits) Mode
Port 2 - 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600,
or 19200 Baud
EVEN/ODD/NO Parity (1/2 Stop Bits)
RTU (8 Data Bits) or ASCII (7 Data Bits) Mode

Note: Port 2 of the A984-1xx, and E984-24x/251/255 models does not support the
following Modbus port parameters.
l ASCII 7 data bits - 1 stop - no parity= 9 bits (illegal)
l RTU 8 data bits - 2 stop - parity = 12 bits (illegal)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

71

Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Communications E984-258/265/275/285

RJ45 Port/Cable
Pin-Outs

The E984-258/265/275/285 CPUs are equipped with two RS-232 ports using eightpin RJ45 (phone jack-type) connectors that support Modicons proprietary Modbus
communication protocol.
l For connection to a 9-pin AT-type panel, use a Modicon 110XCA20300 adapter.
l For connection to a 25-pin XT-type panel, use a Modicon 110XCA20400 adapter.

Physical
Connector
(RJ45 to 9-Pin)

The following figure shows the RJ45 to 9-pin connector.

The following figure shows the physical layout of the RJ45 to 9-pin connector.
110XCA20300
9-Pin Female Adapter

4-40 screw threads

Pin 1
Pin 9

Front View
50.8mm
(2 in)
Side View

72

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabiliites

Connector
Pinouts
(RJ45 to 9-Pin)

The following table describes the connector pinouts of the RJ45 to 9-pin
connector.
Signal Name

Pinout

+5VDC
(150ma Limit)

TXD

RXD
DSR
GND

Pinout Connected To ... Pinout

Signal
Name

DCD

Yes

RXD

Yes

TXD

Yes

DTR

Yes

GND

6 Connected to
Pins 2 and 4

DSR

*CTS

7 Jumpered

7 Jumpered

RTS

*RTS

6 Jumpered

8 Jumpered

CTS

RI

Chassis
Ground

Yes

Case of the Connector

Note: *The Modbus 2 port supports neither CTS nor RTS.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

73

Communication Capabiliites

Physical
Connector
(RJ45 to 25-Pin)

The following figure shows the RJ45 to 25-pin connector.

The following figure shows the physical layout of the RJ45 to 25-pin connector
pinouts.
110XCA20400
25-Pin Female Adapter

4-40 Jack Screws

Pin 1

Pin 25

Front View

74

39.6 mm
(1.56 in)
Side View

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabiliites

Connector
Pinouts
(RJ45 to 25-Pin)

The following table describes the connector pinouts of the RJ45 to 25-pin.
Signal Name

Pinout

Pinout Connected To ... Pinout

+5VDC
1
(150ma Limit)

Signal
Name

RXD

Yes

TXD

TXD

Yes

RXD

*CTS

7 Jumpered

4 Jumpered

DTS

*RTS

6 Jumpered

5 Jumpered

CTS

6 Connected to
pins 2 and 20

DSR

GND

Yes

GND

DCD

DSR

Yes

20

DTR

Chassis
Ground

Yes

Chassis
Ground

Note: *The Modbus 2 port supports neither CTS nor RTS.

Note: If Pin 1 of either Modbus port 1 or port 2 of the E984-258 or -258C PLC is
shorted to GND, excessive current draw above 150 ma can cause the power
supply and PLC to shut down.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

75

Communication Capabiliites

MODBUS Port
Parameters
(3-Position Slide
Switch)

Two three-position slide switches are located on the front of the E984-258/265/275/
285 PLCs. The three-position slide switch on the bottom is used to select the
communication parameter settings for Modbus (RJ45) port one. The top switch is
used for memory protection in the top position, no memory protection in the middle
position, and swapping PCMCIA card (pull-PC 275/285 only) in the bottom position.
When you connect a programming panel to start the controller for the first time, your
panel device must use the following Modbus port parameters: 9600 baud, EVEN
parity, RTU mode, Modbus port address 1.
The following figure shows the switch positions for the various 275/285 and 258/265
models.
275/285

258/265

mem prot
off
pull-PC

mem prot
off

ASCII

ASCII

RTU

RTU

mem

mem

Note: The E984-258/265 does not support a PCMCIA card.

76

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabiliites

3-Position Slide
Switch Setting
Options

The following information provides detailed descriptions of the settings and

functionality enabled by the top, middle, and bottom slide switch settings.
Setting the slide switch to the top position assigns ASCII functionality to the ports;
the following communication parameters are set and cannot be changed.
The following table shows the values of the communication port parameters if the
slide switch is set to the top position (ASCII functionality).
Parameter

Value

Baud

2,400

Parity

Even

Data Bits

Stop Bits

Device Address

Front panel rotary switch setting for Modbus port 1 only

Setting the slide switch to the middle position assigns remote terminal unit (RTU)
functionality to port 1.
The following table shows the values of the communication port parameters if the
slide switch is set to the middle position (RTU functionality). The values are fixed;
you cannot change them.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Parameter

Fixed Value

Baud

9,600

Parity

Even

Data Bits

Stop Bits

Device Address

Front panel rotary switch setting for Modbus port 1 only

77

Communication Capabiliites

Setting the slide switch to the bottom position enables you to use software to
configure the values of the communication port parameters.
The following table lists the communication port parameters that you can configure
if the slide switch is set to the bottom position (using software). The table includes
the valid values for the parameters.
Parameter
Baud

CTS/RTS
Communication
Delays for
Communication
Port 1

78

Range of Valid Values

19,200

1,200

9,600

600

7,200

300

4,800

150

3,600

134.5

2,400

110

2,000

75

1,800

50

Parity

Enable/Disable Odd/Even

Data Bits

7/8

Stop Bits

1/2

Device Address

1 ... 247

Your application may require the use of time delays. (For more information, see
CTS/RTS Communication Delays for Communication Port 1 (E984-258/265/275/
285 Only), p. 21).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Communication Capabiliites

Generic Modbus Communication Functions

Modbus
Communication
Modes

Modbus can operate in two communication modes: ASCII (the ANSI standard for
inter-device communications) and RTU.

How to Specify
Modbus Port
Parameters

For the A984 and E984-241/251, refer to MODBUS Port Parameters (2-Position
Slide Switch), p. 71. For the E984-258/265/275/285, refer to MODBUS Port
Parameters (3-Position Slide Switch), p. 76. Use of this switch in the context of
Modbus Plus communications is discussed in Communication Parameters Slide
Switch -Bridge Mode, p. 83.

Setting Up a
Communications
Network Over
Modbus

Modbus also provides a cost-effective method for handling remote programming

and data transfer over a master-slave nodal network. Modbus allows you to link
Compact Controllers and other Modicon Programmable Controllers with computer
terminals or programming panels for data acquisition, supervisory control, and
programming functions.
Up to 247 slave nodes can be linked on a Modbus network, and communications
can occur at data rates of up to 19,200 baud over twisted pair cable, common carrier
phone lines, or microwave transmitters.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

79

Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus Communications A984-145, E984-245/255

Modbus Plus
Addressing

Each node on a Modbus Plus network must be assigned a unique address in the
range 1 ... 64 using switches 1 ... 6 on the addressing DIP switch on the top front of
the A984-145, E984-245/255 bezel.

6-Position DIP
Switch-Node
Addressing

This is location of the DIP switch.

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Switches Shown in
OFF Position
R = OFF
L = ON
L

The following table shows the actual Modbus Plus Node Address Settings for the
A984-145, E984-245/255 PLC switches.
Address

Switch Positions
1

80

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Communication Capabiliites

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Address

Switch Positions

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

81

Communication Capabiliites

82

Address

Switch Positions

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

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Communication Capabiliites

Communication
Parameters Slide
Switch-Bridge
Mode

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Bridge mode allows you to access nodes on a Modbus Plus network from a Modbus
master device (connected to the standard Modbus port). To set the Modbus Plus
bridge mode for port 1 of the A984-145, and E984-245/255 Controllers, set the slide
switch to default position, the controllers bridge mode is automatically enabled.
When in the memory position (MEM), bridge mode can be enabled or disabled in the
Modbus port parameter settings of the controllers configuration table. When bridge
mode is enabled the port always uses the Modbus Plus address setting.

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus Communications E984-265/275/285

10-Position
Rotary SwitchesNode
Addressing

Each node on a Modbus Plus network must have a unique address from 1-64 using
the two rotary switches on the front of the E984-265/275/285 bezel.
Two rotary switches are used for setting Modbus Plus node and Modbus port 1
addresses. SW1 (the top switch) sets the upper digit (tens) of the address; SW2 (the
bottom switch) sets the lower digit (ones) of the address.
The following figure shows the correct setting for example address 11.
SW1 (Top)

3
4

6
9

3
4

SW2 (Bottom)
The following table lists the SW1 and SW2 address settings.
Node Address

SW1 X10

SW2 X1

1 ... 9

1 ... 9

10 ... 19

0 ... 9

20 ... 29

0 ... 9

30 ... 39

0 ... 9

40 ... 49

0 ... 9

50 ... 59

0 ... 9

60 ... 64

0 ... 4

Note: If "0" or an address greater than 64 is selected, the Modbus Plus LED
remains on steady to indicate that an invalid address was selected.

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Communication
Parameters Slide
Switch-Bridge
Mode

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Bridge mode allows you to access nodes on a Modbus Plus network from a Modbus
master device (connected to the standard Modbus port). To set the Modbus Plus
bridge mode for port 1 of the E984-265/275/285 Controllers, set the slide switch to
either the ASCII or RTU position.
In the memory position (MEM), bridge mode is enabled (or disabled) by the Modbus
port parameter setting in the Controller configuration table. If bridge mode is
enabled, the port always uses the Modbus Plus address.

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus LEDs

Flash Pattern
Details

The MB Plus LED is a green indicator that shows the type of communications activity
on the Modbus Plus port on A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Controllers. A
specific flash pattern indicates the nature of the Modbus Plus communication
activity:
The following table lists the LEDs flash patterns and their meanings.
LED Flash Patters

Description

Six flashes per second

The normal operating state for a Modbus Plus node. The node is
successfully receiving and passing the token. All nodes on the
network should be flashing this pattern.

One flash per second

The node is offline after just being powered up, or after hearing a
message from another node with the same address (duplicate
addresses are not allowed). In this state, the node monitors the
network and builds a table of active nodes and token-holding
nodes. It remains in this state for five seconds, then attempts to go
to its normal operating state.

Two flashes, then OFF

for two seconds

The node is hearing the token being passed among other nodes,
but is never receiving the token. Check the network link for an
open or short circuit, or defective termination.

Three flashes, then OFF The node is not hearing any other nodes. It is periodically
for 1.7 seconds
claiming the token, but finding no other node to which to pass it.
Check the network link for an open or short circuit, or for a
defective termination.

86

Four flashes, then OFF

for 1.4 seconds

The node has heard a valid message from another node that is
using the same address as this node. The node remains offline in
this state as long as it continues to hear the duplicate address. If
the duplicate address is not heard for five seconds, the node then
changes to the pattern of one flash every second.

On steady

The address switch setting is set to an invalid Modbus Plus

address (i.e.: 0 or > 64).

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Communication Capabiliites

Generic Modbus Plus Communications

Modbus Plus
Communication
Protocol
Reference

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

The A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Compact-E984 Controllers are

equipped with a nine-pin D-Sub connector that supports Modicons proprietary
Modbus Plus communication protocol. Refer to Schneider Automations Modbus
Plus Network Planning and Installation Guide (890 USE 100 00).

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus Capabilities for Compact

Overview of
Modbus Plus

Modbus Plus is a local area network designed for industrial control applications. It
enables the A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Controllers to become a node
on the network and to communicate with other 984 controllers, host computers, and
special bridge and multiplexer devices. A network may comprise one or more
communication sections. One section can support up to 32 nodes. Up to 64 nodes
can exist on a network.
The following figure shows the maximum linear configuration.
32 Nodes/
Section Max
End
Node

RR85
Repeater

RR85
Repeater

RR85
Repeater

End
Node

6000 ft (1800 m), 64 Nodes per Network Max.

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Communication Capabiliites

Multiple Modbus Plus networks can be interconnected using a BP85 Bridge Plus
device.
The following figure shows multiple networks linked by Bridge Plus.
Network A (Up to 64 Nodes)
Node 5
Node

Node 6

Node 8

Node

Node
Node 7
BP85

Network B (Up to 64 Nodes)

Node 3
Node

Node 4
Node

Node 5
Node 6
Node

= Terminating Connector
= Inline Connector

Each node within a network must have a unique address number in the range 1 ...
64. The node address of a 984 chassis mount controller is specified using a set of
DIP switches provided on the top front of the A984-145, E984-245/255 models. The
E984-265/275/285 uses the rotary switches.
Modbus Plus uses a proprietary protocol that delivers high performance intercommunication capabilities at a data transfer rate of 1 Mbit/s. The network medium is
twisted-pair shielded cable, laid out in a sequential multidrop path directly between
successive nodes.
Modbus Plus
Token Rotation

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Each node on a Modbus Plus network functions as a peer on a logical ring, gaining
access to the network upon receipt of a token frame. The token is a bit grouping that
is passed in a rotating address sequence from one node to the next. While an
individual node holds the token, it may initiate data read/write and statistical
transactions with other nodes; when the node passes its token, it may write to a
global database that is maintained by all nodes on the network. Use of this global
database allows rapid updating of alarms, setpoints, and other data.

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Communication Capabiliites

How the A984145, E984-245/

255/265/275/285
Initiates Modbus
Plus
Transactions

A984-145 (or any programmable controller with Modbus Plus capability) may initiate
network communication using a ladder logic function called MSTR. MSTR allows
you to specify the type of communications transaction you want to carry out and to
define the routing path over which you wish the transaction to take place.
The MSTR block is part of the standard A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285
instruction set, contained in the system executive. Modbus Plus transactions can be
accessed from the FFB communication library in the IEC program sections of
Concept for the E984-258/265/275/285.
Note: To have a good understanding of the Modbus Plus theory of operations, to
be able to plan the layout of the total network, and to meet all the requirements of
the network cable installation, refer to the Modicon Modbus Plus Network Planning
and Installation Guide (890 USE 100 00). Also, you may wish to refer to Modbus
Protocol Reference Guide (PI-MBUS-300). For a full description of the MSTR
function block, refer to the Modicon Ladder Logic Block Library User Guide (840
USE 101 00).

How the A984145, E984-245/

255/265/275/285
Initiates Peer
Cop
Transactions

Point to point data can be transacted while a node holds the token and during its
token pass with Modbus Plus Peer Cop. Up to 500 words (16bits each) can be
directed to specific data references in node devices prior to release of the token
frame, and up to 32 words can be globally broadcast to all nodes as part of the token
frame.
Note: In order to thoroughly understand Peer Cop theory of operations, to be able
to plan the layout of the total network, and to meet all the requirements of the
network cable installation, refer to the Modicon Modbus Plus Network Planning and
Installation Guide (890 USE 100 00).

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Bridge Mode Between Modbus and Modbus Plus

Selecting
Standard or
Bridge
Communications

The standard Modbus port on the A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285

Controllers can be used in either of these two ways:
l as a slave port to a Modbus master device
l as a bridge between a Modbus master device and the Modbus Plus network
nodes
Make the above selection by setting the communication parameter slide switch as
follows:
l setting the communication parameter slide switch (the bottom slide switch) on the
A984-145, E984-45/255 Controllers
l setting the communication parameter slide switch (the bottom slide switch) on the
E984-265/275/285 Controllers

Settings for
Modbus Mode

For Modbus mode, set the switch to the mem position for the A984-145, E984-245/
255, and E984-/265/275/285 Controllers, and use the configuration editor to assign
the values for the Modbus port parameters.
Note: The Modbus Plus hardware address is always used in bridge mode.
If a software setting is used to enable bridge mode, all of the memory port
parameter settings are set by software except for the address parameter.

Settings for
Bridge Mode

Bridge mode allows you to access nodes on a Modbus Plus network from a Modbus
master device (connected to the Modbus port).
Set Modbus Plus bridge mode, as follows:
l For the E984-245/255 and A984-145 Controllers, set the slide switch to default
position, the controllers bridge mode is automatically enabled.
l For the E984-265/275/285 Controllers, set the slide switch to either ASCII or RTU
position, the controllers bridge mode is automatically enabled. (See MODBUS
Port Parameters (3-Position Slide Switch), p. 76 for information about configuring
port parameters.)

Modbus Port
Parameter
Settings

The Modbus port parameters are set to 9600 baud, RTU mode (8 data bits and 1
stop bit), and even parity, the same default conditions as the -120 and -130
Controllers.
Unique to the A984-145, E984-245/255, E984-265/275/285, however, is the default
port address. Instead of defaulting to Modbus port address 1, it defaults to the
Modbus Plus port address set by the DIP switch at the top of the (A984-145, E984245/255 PLCs) or by the rotary switches at the top of the (E984-265/275/285 PLCs).

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Master
Device
Connections

If a Modbus master device is connected to the Modbus port while the A984-145,
E984-245/255/265/275/285 is in bridge mode, the master device can be attached to
the local controller or to any other node on Modbus Plus.
l If you attach to the local controller, messages from the Modbus master are sent
directly to the local A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 without being routed
over a Modbus Plus communication path.
l If you attach to any other node on the network, the message is routed through the
Modbus Plus port to the destination device.
If you are connecting a Modbus master device to a node on Modbus Plus, always
use the Modbus Plus address of the target node.
l If you are attaching to the local Compact PLC in bridge mode, the master
automatically attaches to the Modbus Plus node address, which can only be set
by hardware -- either with the DIP switch (A984-145, E984-245/255) or with the
rotary switches (E984-265/275/285) on the local controller.
l If you want to attach to any other Modbus Plus node, the Modbus master device
must specify that node by Modbus Plus address.
CAUTION
Failure to enter correct Modbus Plus address for controller.
If you are accustomed to using Modbus master devices (such as
programming panels) with Modicon programmable controllers in unnetworked environments, you may be used to attaching to the local
controller by addressing it as device #1-the default device address in
the configurator editor. Be aware that in a Modbus Plus network
environment you must know the Modbus Plus address of the controller
(or any other nodal device) with which you want to communicate, and
you must specify that address correctly in the attach procedure. If you
want to attach to a node on Modbus Plus but do not know its network
address, get this information from your network supervisor before
proceeding.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

Note: When a Modbus port is used in bridge mode, it must be connected to a single
Modbus master device. That is, the bridge cannot be used as a connection for a
Modbus Slave device network.

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Communication Capabiliites

Addressing
Ranges on
Modbus Plus

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A single Modbus Plus network can have up to 64 addressable nodes, each with a
unique address in the range 1 ... 64. (See Modbus Plus Communications A984-145,
E984-245/255, p. 80 for more information about address settings). The Modbus
master device connected to the Modbus port can attach to any node using direct
attach address routing, simply by specifying the correct address in the range 1 ... 64.
Multiple networks can be joined via BP85 Bridge Plus devices, and nodes across
multiple networks can be addressed. An addressing capability outside the 1 ... 64
range is required.
In Modbus Plus, an explicit and an implicit attach address routing strategy are
available for this purpose. These routing techniques are described in Modbus Plus
Address Routing Schemes, p. 94.

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus Address Routing Schemes

Address
Schemes
Between Modbus
and Modbus Plus

94

Modbus devices use addresses of one byte in the range 1 ... 255. Modbus Plus
devices are addressed in the range 1 ... 64, with five consecutive routing bytes
contained in each message. When a Modbus message is received at the Modbus
port on the A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Controllers, the single-byte
address contained in the message is converted into a five-byte routing path for
Modbus Plus. The five bytes of routing are imbedded in a Modbus Plus message
frame as it is sent from the originating node.

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Communication Capabiliites

Destination
Device
Requirements

The structure of the Modbus Plus routing address is determined by the type of
device at the destination node:
l If you are initiating a transaction with another 984 controller, the last (rightmost)
nonzero byte in the routing scheme is the destination node address
l If you are initiating a transaction with a network adapter in a non-controller nodee.g., an SA85-the next to the last nonzero byte is the destination node address,
and the last nonzero byte is the task # (range: 1 ... 8)
l If you are initiating a transaction with a single slave on a Bridge MUX port, the
next to the last nonzero byte is the Bridge MUX node address, and the last
nonzero byte is the desired MUX port # (range: 1 ... 4)
l If you are initiating a transaction with a slave device on a Modbus network
connected to a Bridge MUX, the second from the last nonzero byte is the node
address of the MUX, the next to the last nonzero byte is the desired MUX port #
(range: 1 ... 4), and the last nonzero byte is the desired Modbus slave address
(range: 1 ... 247)
Any leading nonzero bytes ahead of the address bytes described above are
Bridge Plus node addresses.
Assume, for example, that your routing path is to a controller two networks
removed from the originating 984. The message is routed first to a BP85 Bridge
Plus at node address 25. The bridge forwards the message to node 20, a BP85
Bridge Plus device on the second network. Node 20 forwards the message to the
destination controller node address 12 on the third network. The zero-content
bytes in the fourth and fifth routing bytes specify that no further routing is required
beyond the third byte:
The following figure shows an example of a message frame routing path.
Modbus Plus Message Frame
Routing
Bytes

Start
PLC

25 20 12 0

End
0

NODE 12

Routing Address 1
Routing Address 2
Routing Address 3
Routing Address 4
Routing Address 5

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Communication Capabiliites

Note: The routing address scheme must be developed as part of an overall

network planning process-for details, see the Modbus Plus Network Planning and
Installation Guide (840 USE 101 00).
The following figure shows an example of a routing address scheme.

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Communication Capabiliites

Direct, Explicit, and Implicit Attaches

Modbus to
Modbus Plus
Address
Conversion

The manner in which Modbus Plus converts a Modbus message using bridge mode
is determined by the range of the Modbus address (1 ... 255):
This shows the address location and the various attach states.
255
Implicit Attach
Address

80
79
70
69
65
64

Explicit Attach
Address
Reserved

Direct Attach
Address

1
0

Reserved

If the address range in the Modbus message is between 1 ... 64, the message is
routed to the corresponding Modbus Plus node address on the local network. This
routing procedure is called direct attach address. Direct attach address routing
implies that a nonzero value exists in only routing address 1 in the Modbus Plus
message frame; it does not allow you to send the incoming Modbus message
beyond the local network.

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Communication Capabiliites

Note: After the controllers Modbus Plus node address is entered while in bridge
mode, then you will be attached to that controller.
If the address range in the Modbus message is between 70 ... 79, the controller
initiates an explicit attach address procedure which compares the Modbus address
to an address table stored in the controller, immediately following the configured
4xxxx real time clock. Up to 10 addresses in the range 70 ... 79 become pointers
to the table, which contains up to 10 stored routing paths for Modbus Plus. Each
routing path is five bytes in length. The routing path pointed to by each address is
applied to the corresponding message.
Explicit attach address routing implies that nonzero values may exist in any or all
routing addresses in the Modbus Plus message frame; it allows you to send
incoming Modbus messages through as many as four BP85 Bridge Plus devices
across as many as five Modbus Plus networks.
If the address range in the Modbus message is between 80 ... 255, the controller
initiates an implicit attach address procedure which divides the address by 10 and
uses the quotient and remainder as the first and second bytes, respectively, in a
routing path. Implicit attach address routing implies that there may be nonzero
values in routing addresses 1 and 2 in the Modbus Plus message frame; it allows
you to send incoming Modbus messages through one BP85 Bridge Plus device
across up to two Modbus Plus networks.

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Communication Capabiliites

Modbus Plus Communication Paths

Modbus Plus
Message
Processing

With multiple devices processing messages asynchronously on a Modbus Plus

network, an individual device can have several concurrent transactions in process.
The A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Controllers open a communication path
when a transaction begins, keep it open during the transaction, and close it when
the transaction terminates. After the path is closed, it is available for another
transaction.

Four Types of
Communication
Paths

A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 Controllers maintains four types of

communication paths
l Data master paths-For read and write data or get and clear remote statistics
operations originated by a MSTR block in the A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/
285 Controllers going to a destination device on the network. A 984-145, E984245/255/265/275/285 supports up to five data master paths-paths DM01... DM04
for processing up to four concurrent MSTR blocks, and path DM05 that may be
used for data master transactions via the Modbus port. Design your application
to use a maximum of four MSTR data master paths at any one time.
l Data slave paths-For data reads and writes received over the network. The A984145 supports up to four data slave (DS) paths handling up to four concurrent
network transactions.
l Program master paths-For sending programming commands from the local
controller to the Modbus Plus network. Program master paths can handle all
Modbus commands-i.e., function codes. If a Modbus master is connected to the
Modbus port on the A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285, it may be used for
either programming or monitoring functions. A984-145, E984-245/255/265/285
supports one program master (PM) path.
l Program slave paths-For accepting programming commands received over the
network. A984-145, E984-245/255/265/275/285 supports one program slave
(PS) path.
Both the originating and destination devices open paths and maintain them until
the transaction completes. If the transaction passes through one or more Bridge
Plus devices to access a destination across multiple networks, each bridge opens
and maintains a path at each of its two network ports. Thus, a logical path is
maintained between the originating and destination devices until the transaction
is finished.
All paths are independent of one another, and activity on one path does not affect
the performance of the other paths.

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Communication Capabiliites

100

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Hardware Planning

4
At a Glance
Introduction

Use the information in this chapter to correctly plan your compact system hardware
layout.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic
DIN Carrier Rails

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Page
102

Choosing DTA Backplanes

104

Planning a Linear Drop Layout

106

Planning a Stacked Drop Layout

108

101

Hardware Planning

DIN Carrier Rails

Overview of DIN
Carrier Rails

Compact Controllers and their associated A120 I/O modules reside in backplane
housings that are installed on DIN EN 50 022 carrier rails. A DIN rail can be attached
to a flat mounting surface or hung on an EIA rack or in NEMA cabinet.
The DIN rail also provides the functional ground point for the Compact system.
This is a DIN EN 50 022 Carrier Rail.

35 mm

Two Sizes of DIN

Rails

102

The backplanes can be mounted on a DIN rail with either a 7.5 mm or 15 mm

clearance from its mounting surface:
The following figure shows the differences in the DIN rail clearance sizes.
7.5 mm
15 mm

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Hardware Planning

Space
Requirements
for Mounting DIN
Rail

A DIN rail mounting surface must be at least 225 mm (8.86 in) long for a single
backplane; four full-length backplanes require a 920 mm (36.2 in) DIN rail.
The following figure shows the minimum and maximum width requirements for
installation
125 mm
(4.92 in)

920 mm
(36.2 in)

215 mm
(8.46 in)

10 mm
.39 in)

Primary
Backplane

Secondary
Backplane

Secondary
Backplane

A DIN rail may be installed in an enclosed cabinet built to the following dimensions:
This shows the depth requirements.
1 MINIMUM

100
mm
3.9 in

200
mm
7.8 in

130 mm
5.07 in

PLASTIC WIRE TROUGH ALLOWED

Input air temp 60 degrees C

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

130 mm
5.07 in

130 mm
5.07 in

103

Hardware Planning

Choosing DTA Backplanes

Overview of DTA
Backplanes

A Compact Controller and its associated A120 I/O modules are installed in DTA
backplanes which mount on the DIN rail. Three backplanes are available: the
primary DTA 200, and two optional secondary DTA 201 and DTA 202 backplanes.

The DTA 200

Primary
Backplane

At a minimum, your drop must have a DTA 200 primary backplane. The Compact
Controller will reside in the two leftmost slots in the DTA 200 backplane, it plugs into
a 30-pin power supply connector and two 30-receptacle connectors. Three
additional 30-receptacle slots available for A120 I/O modules or option modules
such as the P120 ac-to-dc Power Supply or A120 simulator modules. Only one DTA
200 backplane is used in a drop.
This shows the DTA 200 primary backplane.

Ground-Contact
Through-Holes
30-Receptacle
I/O Bus
Connectors

Power Supply
Connector

Bus Extension
Connector
Securing
Clips
Additional
Fastening Screws

Optional plastic
spacer strip
provided with DTA
housing for 15 mm
DIN rail mounting

The DTA 200 is 213.4 mm wide x 142 mm high x 31 mm deep, and drops onto a DIN
EN 50 022 carrier rail, two clips at the bottom of the backplane secure the unit to the
DIN rail. On the right side of the DTA 200 backplane is a 30-pin I/O bus extension
connector that allows you to connect a secondary (DTA 201 or DTA 202) backplane.
Six through-holes provide spaces through which mounted units may make contact
with functional ground on the DIN rail.

104

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Hardware Planning

Two-Slot and
Five-Slot
Secondary
Backplanes

Up to three secondary backplanes may be used in a drop (a drop maximum of four,

one primary and three secondary). Secondary (or extension) backplanes may be
mounted to the right of the DTA 200 primary backplane on a common DIN rail or
beneath the DTA 200 on one other DIN rail. The secondary backplanes contain
either two (the DTA 202) or five (the DTA 201) 30-receptacle connectors for I/O
module insertion. Secondary backplanes contain a bus extension ribbon cable with
a 30-receptacle connector on it, allowing backplanes to be interlocked along a
common DIN rail via a ground extension strap.
This shows the DTA 201 and 202 secondary backplanes.

The DTA 201 five-slot backplane is 213.4 mm wide x 142 mm high x 31 mm deep.
It has a 30-pin bus extension connector on its right side, allowing you to add another
extension backplane to the drop. As many as three DTA 201 backplanes may be
used in a drop, and they may be used in either a linear drop layout (along one
common DIN rail) or in a stacked drop layout (two DIN rails, one over the other).
The DTA 202 two-slot backplane 91.5 mm wide x 142 mm high x 31 mm deep. Its
backplane does not have a bus extension connector on its right side, and, if it is
used, it must be the last backplane in the drop. If you plan to use a DTA 202
backplane, remember that only one may be used in the drop, and it may be used
only in a linear drop layout.(That is, not in a stacked drop layout.)

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105

Hardware Planning

Planning a Linear Drop Layout

Overview of
Linear Drop
Layouts

A DTA 200 primary backplane and up to three secondary backplanes may be

mounted in a drop. The four backplanes may be mounted in a linear layout along
one common DIN rail, or they may be stacked in two rows on two DIN rails and
connected via a BXT 201 bus extension cable.

Linear Layouts

The leftmost backplane on the DIN rail must be the DTA 200 primary backplane. Up
to three secondary backplanes may be interconnected to the right of the primary
backplane. You may use:
l One DTA 202 secondary backplane with the DTA 200
l As many as three DTA 201 secondary backplanes together with the DTA 200
l One or two DTA 201 secondary backplanes together with one DTA 202
secondary backplane with the DTA 200
If you use a DTA 202 backplane in your drop, it must be the last (rightmost)
backplane in the drop.

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Hardware Planning

This shows the legal configurations for a linear drop layout

DTA 200

DTA 200

DTA 200

DTA 201

DTA 200

DTA 201

DTA 200

DTA 201

DTA 201

DTA 200

DTA 201

DTA 201

DTA 200

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

DTA 202

DTA 201

DTA 202

DTA 201

DTA 202

DTA 201

107

Hardware Planning

Planning a Stacked Drop Layout

Overview of
Stacked Drop
Layout

Backplanes in a drop may also be stacked on two DIN rails and connected by a BXT
201 (30-pin female-to-female connectors) bus extension cable, or a BXT 203 (30pin female-to-male connectors) bus extension cable. There may be either one or two
racks on each DIN rail. (See Using a BXT 201 Cable (30-Pin Female-to-Female
Connectors), p. 108 if using a BXT 201 cable; see Using a BXT 203 Cable (30-Pin
Female-to-Male Connectors), p. 111 if using a BXT 203 cable.)

Using a BXT 201

Cable (30-Pin
Female-toFemale
Connectors)

A DTA 200 primary backplane and up to three secondary backplanes may be

mounted in a drop. The four backplanes can be stacked in two rows on two DIN rails
and connected via a BXT 201 bus extension cable.
Note that there can be only one BXT 201 cable per system.
CAUTION
Case 1 and Case 2 are the ONLY legal configurations
Due to the I/O module addressing method used, the stacked drop
layouts shown in Case 1 and Case 2 are the ONLY legal configurations!
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

Note: The BXT 201 cable connectors are polarized and must be connected
properly-the A connector must be attached to the top backplane, and the B
connector must be attached to the bottom backplane.

108

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Hardware Planning

l CASE 1: A single DTA 200 backplane over two DTA 201 backplanes; the BXT
201 runs from rack 1 to rack 3.
Case 1.
DTA 200 (Rack 1)

A
BXT 201
DTA 201 (Rack 2)

DTA 201 (Rack 3)

l CASE 2: A DTA 200 backplane and one DTA 201 backplane over two DTA 201
backplanes; the BXT 201 runs from rack 2 to rack 4.
Case 2.
DTA 200 (Rack 1)

DTA 201 (Rack 2)

DTA 201 (Rack 3)

DTA 201 (Rack 4)

BXT 201
B

In case 1, the drop is traffic copped as three consecutive racks (rack 1 ... rack 3); in
case 2, the drop is traffic copped as four consecutive racks (rack 1 ... rack 4).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

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Hardware Planning

Variations on the
Stacked Drop
Layouts

You can vary the two stack topologies to accommodate a one-over-one or two-overone layout:
l Variation on Case 1: A single DTA 200 backplane over one DTA 201 backplane,
in this case, the traffic cop skips rack 2 and defines modules in racks 1 and 3.
Variation on case 1.
DTA 200 (Rack 1)

DTA 201 (Rack 3)

BXT 201
B

l Variation on Case 2: A DTA 200 backplane and one DTA 201 backplane over one
DTA 201 backplane, in this case, the traffic cop skips rack 3 and defines modules
in racks 1, 2, and 4.
Variation on case 2.
DTA 200 (Rack 1)

DTA 200 (Rack 2)

A
DTA 201 (Rack 4)

BXT 201
B

110

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Planning

Using a BXT 203

Cable (30-Pin
Female-to-Male
Connectors)

A DTA 200 primary backplane and up to two secondary backplanes may be

mounted in a drop. The three backplanes may be stacked in two rows on two DIN
rails and connected via a BXT 203 bus extension cable. Only one BXT 203 cable is
allowed per system.
Note: The BXT 203 cable allows stacked configuration that leaves the last 30-pin
A120 I/O expansion receptacle available for applications requiring an Enabler Key.
For example, the Gas Flow Enabler Key 130 HEK 301 0x.

l Case 1: A single DTA 200 backplane over one DTA 201 backplane, in this case,
the traffic cop defines modules in racks 1 and 2.A single DTA 200 backplane over
one DTA 201 backplane, in this case, the traffic cop defines modules in racks 1
and 2.
This shows case 1.

l Case 2: A DTA 200 backplane and one DTA 201 backplane over one DTA 201
backplane, in this case, the traffic cop defines modules in racks 1, 2, and 3.
This shows case 2.

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Hardware Planning

l Case 3: A DTA 200 backplane over one DTA 201 backplane, in this case, the
traffic cop defines modules in racks 1, 2, and 3.
This shows case 3.
DTA 200 (Rack 1)

BXT 203
DTA 201 (Rack 2)

112

DTA 201 (Rack 3)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

5
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information describes how to install your Compact hardware.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Topic

Page

Installing DTA Backplanes

114

Interlocking Adjacent Backplanes

116

Installing a BXT 201 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout

119

Installing a BXT 203 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout

121

Inserting Modules in the Backplane(s)

123

Compact Installation Dimension Drawings

125

System Power Requirements

127

Distributing Field Power to A120 I/O

131

113

Hardware Installation

Installing DTA Backplanes

Procedure for
Installing DTA
Backplanes

These are the DTA installation steps.

Step
1

Action
Place the top clip on the back of the DTA backplane over the top of the DIN carrier
rail and drop the unit into place.
Refer to the following graphic.
1

If the DIN rail is mounted on a wall, the backplane will fall flush against the mounting
surface, as shown in (A) below. If you are using a 15 mm DIN rail, remember to insert
the mounting brace on the lower backside of the backplane before mounting it, as
shown in (B) below.
Refer to the following graphic.

Backplane
Mounting Brace

(A)

114

(B)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Step

Action

Push up the securing clips on the bottom of the backplane to clamp the unit onto the
DIN rail.
Refer to the following graphic.

For increased vibration protection in a wall-mount installation, secure the backplane

with two mounting screws (4 mm diameter). Use 20 mm long screws with a 7.5 mm
DIN rail; use 25 mm long screws with a 15 mm DIN rail.
Refer to the following graphic.

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Hardware Installation

Interlocking Adjacent Backplanes

Overview of
Interlocking
Backplanes

The DTA 200 primary backplane must be rack 1 (the leftmost rack) on the DIN rail.
One and only one DTA 200 must be used in each Compact Controller installation.
Up to three secondary backplanes may be mounted to the right of the DTA 200
primary backplane on a common DIN rail.

Interlocking
Adjacent
Backplanes

These are the steps.

Procedure for Interlocking Adjacent Backplanes

Step

Action

Mount a secondary backplane flush against the DTA 200 primary backplane on the DIN rail.

Release the two 30-pin bus connector latches on the primary backplane, and remove the protective cover.

Plug the 30-receptacle bus cable connector on the secondary backplane into the 30-pin bus connector on the
primary backplane.
Refer to the following graphic.
DTA 200
DTA 201

I/O Bus Connection

116

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Procedure for Interlocking Adjacent Backplanes

Step
4

Action
Loosen the screws that secure the ground strap on the secondary backplane and the 0 V system reference
connector on the primary backplane:
Refer to the following graphic.

O V System
Reference
Connector

O V Ground
Strap

Slide the ground strap left, then secure the ground connection across the backplanes by tightening the two
screws:
Refer to the following graphic.

One or two more (a maximum total of three) secondary housings can be grounded together side by side in
this manner.

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Hardware Installation

WARNING
Connector warning
If you use a DTA 202 secondary backplane which does not have a 30pin bus connector on it, it must be the last (rightmost) backplane in the
linear drop layout. A DTA 202 cannot be used in a stacked drop layout.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in severe injury or
equipment damage.

118

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Hardware Installation

Installing a BXT 201 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout

Using a BXT201
Cable in a
Stacked Drop

If you are installing a stacked configuration (two rows of backplanes installed one
over the other on two parallel DIN rails), you may connect the last (rightmost)
backplane in the top row to the last (rightmost) backplane in the bottom row using a
BXT 201 bu
The BXT 201 bus extension cable is 500 mm (19.7 in) long; it may be run either from
rack 1 in the top row to rack 3 in the bottom row or from rack 2 in the top row to rack
4 in the bottom row. (See Planning a Stacked Drop Layout , p. 108.) A stacked
installation may use DTA 201 secondary backplanes in conjunction with a DTA 200
primary backplane; DTA 202 secondary backplanes cannot be used.
Both ends of the BXT 201 cable are 30-receptacle bus connectors that mate with the
30-pin connectors on the right sides of the two backplanes. A ground strap on each
end of the cable should also be connected to the system reference connectors on
the two backplanes.
The following figure shows the connection for the BXT 201 cable.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

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Hardware Installation

Note: The BXT 201 cable connectors are polarized and must be connected
properly to the backplanes-the only visible distinction between the two connectors
are the labels A and B. The A connector must be attached to the top backplane,
and the B connector must be attached to the bottom backplane.
Two strain relief cleats are provided with the BXT 201 cable. They can be attached
to the top and bottom DIN rails in the following manner:
The following figure shows how to install the strain relief cleats.

120

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Installing a BXT 203 Cable in a Stacked Drop Layout

Overview of the
BXT 203 Cable

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

If you are installing a stacked configuration, two rows of backplanes installed one
over the other on two parallel DIN rails, you may connect the last (rightmost)
backplane in the top row to the first (leftmost) backplane in the bottom row using a
BXT 203 bus
This cable is 700 mm (27.5 in) long; it may be run either from rack 1 in the top row
to rack 2 in the bottom row or from rack 2 in the top row to rack 3 in the bottom row
or from rack 1 in the top row to rack 2 in the bottom row. (See Using a BXT 203 Cable
(30-Pin Female-to-Male Connectors), p. 111.) A stacked installation may use DTA
201 secondary backplanes in conjunction with a DTA 200 primary backplane; DTA
202 secondary backplanes cannot be used.
Both ends of the BXT 203 cable are 30-receptacle bus connectors that mate with the
30-pin connectors on the right side of one backplane to the left side of the other
backplane. A ground strap on each end of the cable should also be connected to the
system reference connectors on the two backplanes.
This shows the ground strap connection.

121

Hardware Installation

Note: The BXT 203 cable can be installed only one way, because it consists of one
30-pin female connector and one 30-pin male connector.
Two strain relief cleats are provided with the BXT 203 cable. They can be attached
to the top and bottom DIN rails as shown in the following figure.

122

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Inserting Modules in the Backplane(s)

Module
Placement in
Backplanes

The Compact Controllers and the A120 I/O modules are designed for easy
installation. The controller is installed in the first slot in a primary backplane, and I/O
modules may be installed in any other slots in a primary or secondary backplane.
Attach the module to a hook at the top of the DTA backplane and drop it into the
housing. The 20-pin bus connector on the back of the module mates with the 20receptacle connector on the backplane, and the metal spring-loaded wire on the
back of the module passes through a hole in the backplane to make ground contact
with the DIN rail. Tighten the screw at the bottom of the module to fasten it to the
backplane.
This shows the two connection points.
1

CAUTION
We recommend that you use solid wire for all terminal
connections.
Neat and proper workmanship methods by qualified personnel must be
employed when making connections to all system modules. Take extra
precautions if you are using stranded wire, ensure that loose or
projecting strands do not short circuit or ground other terminals.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

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Hardware Installation

If all of the modules are installed in the backplane and the module connections are
appropriately wired, place the cover over the assembly.
The cover provides a clear pocket over each I/O slot where you can insert the label
that comes with each module (as shown in the following figure). The LEDs on the
modules remain clearly visible.

124

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Compact Installation Dimension Drawings

Front and Side
Dimensions
used to Install
the Rack

A front and profile view of a Compact rack installation are shown in the following
figures.
This shows the front view of the Compact rack installation.
213 mm
(8.4 in)

142 mm
(5.6 in)

8 mm (0.3 in)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

125

Hardware Installation

This shows the side view of the Compact rack installation.

Room for
Mounting/
Dismounting
16 mm (0.6 in)

7.5 mm
(0.3 in)

126

127 mm
(5 in)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

System Power Requirements

External Power
Supplies

The Compact Controllers and some of the A120 I/O modules require an external
power source.

Power
Requirements
for a Compact

All the Compact Controllers require a 24 Vdc power source to operate. (Detailed
information appears in the note in this block.) Modicon offers the optional P120-000,
P120-125, P120-250, PRTU-252, and PRTU-258 Power Supplies. These are
designed in the A120 I/O module form factor, so that they can be inserted into any
available slot in a DTA backplane. (For details about the P120s, see Appendix A120
Power Supplies, p. 177.)
Note: It is not recommended that a single power supply be used to power the
Compact and its I/O. A separate supply is recommended to reduce the risk of field
noise affecting the controllers operation. This is also beneficial in cases of singlesupply configurations, since a field point failure could cause the controller to shut
down.
The power requirement for the various PLC models is:
l A984-1xx/E984-24x/251/255 PLCs is 24 Vdc -15% +20% maximum steady
state input current 1 A and 2 A peak.
l E984-258/285 PLCs is 24 Vdc -30% +25% maximum steady state input current
1 A @24Vdc.
l E984-265/275 PLCs is 24 Vdc -20% +25% maximum steady state input current
1.1 A @24Vdc.

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Hardware Installation

Power
Requirements
for the A120 I/O
Modules

128

Some A120 I/O modules require a separate external AC or DC power source. If the
CPU is powered from its 24 Vdc source, its built-in 5 Vdc power supply provides
power across the I/O system bus to all modules in the drop.
This table lists the values for both internal and external power draws.
A120 I/O Module

Internal Power
Draw mA @ 5V

AS-BADU-204 (+500 mV)

<50

AS-BADU-205 (+10 V, +20 mA)

<50

AS-BADU-206 (+10 V, +4 ... 20 mA)

<100

External Power Draw

mA @ Module
Voltage

<100

AS-BADU-210 (+5V, +10V, +20mA)

<90

AS-BADU-211 (RTD, TC, +10 V, +4 ... 20 mA)

<1

<170

AS-BADU-214 (+10 V, +5 ... 20 mA)

<100

<150

AS-BADU-216 (TC, 0-72.8mV)

<100

AS-BADU-257 (TC, RTD, Vdc)

<120

AS-BDAO-216 (24 Vdc)

<30

<5

AS-BDAP-204 (2 A Relay)

<25

<150

AS-BDAP-208 (2 A Relay)

<60

<150

AS-BDAP-209 (115 Vac, 1 A)

<55

AS-BDAP-210 (24-230 Vac)

<70

AS-BDAP-211 (115 Vac)

<30

AS-BDAP-212 (24 Vdc in/ Relay out)

<25

AS-BDAP-216 (24 Vdc, .5 A)

<50

AS-BDAP-217 (24 Vdc, .5 A)

<60

AS-BDAP-218 (24-240 Vac)

<175

AS-BDAP-220 (24 Vdc)

<60

<150

AS-BDAP-252 (24 Vdc)

<15

<150

AS-BDAP-253 (110 Vdc; 24 Vdc)

<15

<70

AS-BDAP-292 (60 Vdc; 24 Vdc)

<25

<150

AS-BDEO-216 (24 Vdc

<15

<150

AS-BDEP-208 (230 Vac)

<30

AS-BDEP-209 (115 Vac)

<30

AS-BDEP-210 (115 Vac)

<35

AS-BDEP-211 (115 Vac)

<35

AS-BDEP-214 (60Vdc)

<22

AS-BDEP-215 (24Vdc)

<35

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

A120 I/O Module

Internal Power
Draw mA @ 5V

AS-BDEP-217 (24Vdc)

<25

AS-BDEP-216 (24 Vdc)

<25

AS-BDEP-218 (115 Vac)

<15

External Power Draw

mA @ Module
Voltage

<150

AS-BDEP-220 (24 Vdc)

<50

<150

AS-BDEP-257 (110Vdc)

<25

<40

AS-BDEP-296 (60 Vdc)

<25

<125 @60Vdc

AS-BDEP-297 (48 Vdc)

<25

<125@ 48Vdc

AS-BDAU-202 (+10 V, +20 mA)

<60

<150

AS-BDAU-204 (4 ... 20mA or 0 ... 20mA, +1,5, or <1

10V, 0 ... 1V,0 ... 5V, or 0 ... 10V)

<250 @24Vdc

AS-BDAU-208 (+10 V)

<30

<120

AS-BVIC-2xx (5, 12, 24Vdc, .025...36Vac)

<1

<70

AS-BVRC-2xx (Variable Reluctance Counter

.025...36Vac)

<275

AS-BCTR-2xx (Counter 5, 12, 24Vdc)

<275

AS-BFRQ-204 (Frequency & Speed)

<100

AS-BMOT-201 (Encoder Motion)

<300

AS-BMOT-202 (Encoder & Resolver Motion)

<600

AS-BBKF-201 (Interbus S Master)

<250

AS-BBKF-202 (Interbus S Slave)

<300

AS-BDEA-202 (Interbus S Interface for A120 I/O) *

AS-BDEA-203 (Profibus DP Slave for A120 I/O)

AS-BZAE-201 (2 A Relay)

<100

<30

AS-BZAE-204 (Rapid Counter)

<100

<55

*Both the BDEA-202 and BDEA-203 comes with a built-in power supply that provides 1600
MA (maximum) to the 5V I/O bus.

Note: For more detail specifications, please refer to the A120 Series I/O Modules
User Guide (890 USE 109 00 formerly GM-A984-IOS).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

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Hardware Installation

Daisy Chaining
Groups of
Similar I/O
Modules

You can daisy chain groups of similar modules within a drop that requires voltages
from external power sources. Each group, however, should have dedicated wires
to the external power supplies. Typical groups include 24 Vdc input/output modules,
120 Vac input/output modules, 230 Vac modules, or analog modules.
The following figure is an example of how a group of relay modules can be daisy
chained.
+24 VDC

Relay Coils Power Supply

DAP 204
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 212
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 208
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

24 V Common

Note: The common connections should not be daisy chained.

Note: The shaded areas denote the internal jumpers on the modules printed circuit
boards.

130

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Hardware Installation

Distributing Field Power to A120 I/O

Field Power
Distributed to
A120 Modules

The following figure is an example of the recommended external 24 Vdc power

supply wiring and fusing scheme for discrete, relay, and analog input modules. The
24 Vdc power supply ground is connected to the common functional ground
(building ground). A separate circuit is recommended for external loads (outputs),
and that circuit should have its ground connected to the common functional ground.
+24 VDC

Analog Output Power Supply

Relay Coils Power Supply
Power to Field Devices

DX

RX

CX

24 V Common

DEO 216
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DEP 216
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 204
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 212
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

U1
I1

U2
I2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

RX = 1 / 3
DX is load- and power supply-dependent
CX is load-dependent

Fuse values are determined by the modules and field devices used. DX, RX, and
CX are not required but are recommended in the event field devices are causing
noise spikes on the power line which may affect operation. For a 24 Vdc supply, DX
may be rated at 30 V minimum. Power rating is load-dependent. CX may be a 0.1
microfarad disk but results should be verified with an oscilloscope and the value
adjusted accordingly.

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Hardware Installation

The following figure is an example of the recommended field wiring and fusing
scheme for some ac output modules. Fuses and RC suppression component values
must be selected according to load requirements. Loads are shown as boxes. Four
of a possible eight loads are shown connected to the DAP 208 module, and all ac
input power wiring is shown.
AC Hot

DAP 204
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 208
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DAP 212
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

AC Neutral

Note: The shaded areas denote internal jumpers on the modules printed circuit
boards.

132

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Wiring and Cabling

6
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information describes the wiring and cabling of your Compact system.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Topic

Page

System Bonding and Grounding

134

System Reference Grounding

136

Guarding Against EMI/RFI

138

Grounding and Power Distribution Overview

139

133

Wiring and Cabling

System Bonding and Grounding

Overview

As part of your installation procedure, provide the Compact system with

equipotential bonding of all inactive metal parts, protective grounding, functional
grounding, and system reference grounding.

Equipotential
Bonding

A conductive connection, or equipotential bond, must be made between the inactive

metal parts of all electronic equipment. Equipotential bonding provides protection
from electric shock, which can result from system faults or from dissimilar chassis
potentials due to site wiring. Bonding also prevents ground loops and conducted
noise from affecting the system. Building structural metal is normally used, but for
the best bonding quality, a separate and dedicated bonding path should be
established. Solid metal stock makes the best path, and metal braid installed with
minimum loops or bends is a second choice. Stranded heavy-gauge wire is not a
good choice because its reactive components present a high impedance at noise
frequencies. A dedicated bonding path or any bonding path other than structural
metal should be connected to the building metal at one point.
If a dedicated bonding path is not practical at your installation site, you may establish
the path using building structural metal or electrical wiring conduit. Lighting circuits,
vending machines, and other factory electrical equipment-such as variable
frequency drives-can generate interference that may be coupled to your system
equipment via building structural members. Equipment should be mounted as far as
possible away from these noise sources. Use toothed lockwashers at each
connection point to ensure good bare metal connections. Choose connection points
that are free from grease, oil, or dirt.

Protective
Grounding

To establish protective ground for a Compact Controller, connect ac source ground

wires (green or green/yellow) to the DIN rail on which the DTA 200 primary
backplane is mounted. This ground connection protects the operator from harmful
potentials that might be generated externally or from internal system faults through
contact with an exposed, noncircuit, metal surface. If your installation includes the
optional AS-P120-000 Power Supply, connect the ac source ground wire to the
middle terminal connector on that units input power terminal strip (See A120 Power
Supplies, p. 177).

134

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Wiring and Cabling

Functional
Grounding

Functional grounding diverts and neutralizes extraneous electrical signals that

interfere with orderly controller logic voltage levels and clock pulses. Extraneous
noise can be generated by electrical motors, variable frequency drives, solenoids,
etc., and can radiate through the air as well as be conducted through chassis metal
and wiring.
The indicated point on the DIN rail that supports the primary DTA 200 backplane is
the control systems functional ground point. This location indicated on the DIN rail
is also the collection point for bonding, system reference, and system RFI/EMI
shielding.
If you are mounting multiple Compact Controllers on separate DIN rails and you are
not mounting them on a plate in a metal cabinet or on a 19 in EIA rack, connect the
primary rails to a common bonding point with braid or heavy gauge solid conductor
wire. Always avoid daisy chaining ground wiring.
Tying multiple PLCs to a common functional ground is shown in the following figure.
DTA 200
Protective Ground Points
on Primary DIN Rails

CPU

DTA 201

P120

DTA 201

DTA 201

DTA 200

DTA 201

Building Metal or
Bonding Surface

If you are not using a dedicated equipotential bonding path, you should tie the
primary DIN rail to the buildings structural metal via mounting hardware, metal
conductor, or metal braid installed without bends or loops.

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Wiring and Cabling

System Reference Grounding

System
Grounding
Overview

The masked copper grid on the primary DTA 200 housings circuit board is the
system reference ground. If the DTA 200 housing is mounted on the DIN rail, the
functional ground and system reference ground are connected together (only with
the Z screw installed with the fiber washer on top and the metal washer on the
bottom against the housing). This creates a closed circuit whereby the system
reference ground is established. All DTA 200 housings are shipped from the factory
with the circuit closed. This is accomplished by the Z screw and washers, which
makes physical connection between the system reference ground and the spring
clips that complete the connection to functional ground.
The following figure shows the ground connections on a DTA 200 primary
backplane.
DIN Rail
(Functional
Ground)

Z screw

Ground-Contact
Through-Holes

Reference
Ground Point

Only the DTA 200 primary backplane can provide the Z screw connection to the
system functional ground on the DIN rail. The DTA 201 and DTA 202 secondary
backplanes do not have Z screws.
Note: If local environmental conditions warrant, you can, optionally, remove the Z
screw to provide isolation between the reference and functional grounds.
Reference and functional grounds are routed through an RC filter rather than
directly coupled either when the Z screw is installed (only with the Z screw installed
with the metal washer on top and the fiber washer on the bottom against the
housing), or if both the Z screw and both washers are removed. Either way an open
circuit is created.

136

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Wiring and Cabling

I/O Module to DIN

Rail Grounding
Requirements

Under certain conditions (painted, coated, or corrosive DIN rails) and with certain I/
O modules, the DIN rail ground may NOT be adequate. The DIN rail resistance
should not exceed 0.1 Ohms.
To check this specification just measure the voltage drop as described and then
calculate the resistance. A constant current of 30A for at least 2 minutes should be
applied between the earthing terminal or contact and each accessible metal part
intended to be earthed. The current should be maintained or adjusted accordingly
during this test to 30A. Any convenient low voltage not exceeding 12V may be used.
The voltage drop should be measured between the points of current flow. Ensure
that the contact resistance between the tip of the measuring probe and the metal
part underneath does not influence the test results.
If the calculated resistance is greater than 0.1 Ohms, we recommend using Tinn DIN
rail models.
The following I/O modules are more sensitive to this type of ground issue: MOT
201/202, ADU 204, ADU 211/212, VRC 200, and CTR 205/212/224.
WARNING
Some DIN rails ship with a protective coating that must be removed to
ensure proper grounding.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in severe injury or
equipment damage.

Other Ground
Contact Points
on the DTA
Backplanes

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

All DTA backplanes (the DTA 201 and 202 secondary backplanes as well as the
DTA 200) provide a reference ground point on the right side of the backplane. This
connection point may be used as the reference ground for test equipment and for
the BXT 201 cable ground wire in a stacked drop layout.
All DTA backplanes have ground-contact through-holes, so that I/O modules with
ground contact pins can make contact with the DIN rail.

137

Wiring and Cabling

Guarding Against EMI/RFI

Overview of EMI/
RFI Protection

As part of your installation procedure, take care to protect the Compact Controller
from extraneous electrical noise interference caused by system wiring. The single
best precaution that can be taken against radiated electrical noise is mounting the
system inside a metal cabinet that is grounded to the buildings structural metal.
Even office environments can benefit from this precaution.

General
Precautions
Against EMI/RFI

In all installations, the following precautions should be taken:

l Tighten backplane and module mounting screws securely
l Run ac, dc, and analog wiring in separate cable trays or conduit
l Always shield analog RTD or Thermocouple wiring

Cabinet
Installations

The following precautions should be taken when installing a Compact in a NEMA

cabinet:
l Do not mix ac power and signal-level wiring in a cable trays or conduit
l Run ac and dc supply wiring separately, preferably in channels on opposite sides
of the cabinet; if cables must cross each other, cross them at right angles
l Shield all analog field wiring, particularly if it is run in the same cable or channel
as 24 Vdc field wiring
l Place suppression devices-i.e., diodes, capacitors, resistors-across relays,
solenoids, and other magnetic-field generating components
l Shield magnetic-field generating components from the controller and I/O
modules with a metal plate-a bare metal contact between the plate and the
cabinet is required
l Ideally, magnetic-field generating components should be mounted in separate
cabinets
l Fluorescent lights generate electrical noise-do not use them inside a working
cabinet

138

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Wiring and Cabling

Grounding and Power Distribution Overview

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

139

Wiring and Cabling

Grounding and
Power
Distribution
Example

The two illustrations that follow provide an example of a Compact system layout for
grounding and power distribution. Because of the size, this example is divided into
two parts.
The following figure comprises part 1 of a Compact system layout for grounding and
power distribution.
+5 V
System Ground

A
B

984 CPU

P120
Power Supply

24 VDC

DAP 204
DAP 208
DAP 212

+
Z
Screw

GND

1, 12

Closed without
washer to make
ground

11, 22

C
D

DIN Rail
Functional
Ground

AC or DC for Field Devices

ac ordc for field devices

E
F
Building
Ground
G
H
I

140

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Wiring and Cabling

The following figure comprises part 2 of a Compact system layout for grounding and
power distribution.
+5 V

A
B

System Ground

ZAE 201
ZAE 204
ADU 206
DAP 220
DAO 216
DAU 208
DAU 202
DAP 216
12, 13

DEP 216
DEP 220
DEO 216
DAP 212

DEP 208
DEP 209
DEP 210
DEP 218

DAP 209

ADU 204
ADU 205

13
21, 22

11, 22

1, 12

2, 13
1 12

22

C
D
DAP 210
DAP 218

F1*

F2*

L
11, 12

24 VDC
Supply
E

F3*

GND
F4

F
1 Amp
L

AC Source

G
H
I
* SIZED AS REQUIRED

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

F1
F2
F3
F4

24 VDC
24 VDC
115 VAC
115 VAC

Relay Coil and Internal Supply

Field Connectors
Field Supply
P120 Supply

141

Wiring and Cabling

142

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Appendices

At a Glance
Introduction

The appendix presents information on Technical References.

Whats in this
Appendix?

The appendix contains the following chapters:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Chapter

Chapter Name

Page

Getting Started

145

System Specifications

159

CE Requirements

167

A120 Power Supplies

177

Compact Accessories

193

Health Status

199

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

209

143

Appendices

144

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

A
At a Glance
Introduction

Certain Compact PLC models are supported by Modsoft panel software while other
Compact PLC models are supported by Concept panel software. The following
information provides multistep procedure used to get your Compact PLC up and
running with either Modsoft or Concept.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Topic

Page

Using Your Compact with Modsoft

146

Using Your Compact with Concept

150

145

Getting Started

Using Your Compact with Modsoft

Overview of
Using Compact
with Modsoft

The purpose of this section is to help a new user become familiar with the Compact
PLC. The following steps walk you through removing the Compact PLC from the box
to forcing on a coil using Modsoft.
Note: You may use Modsoft with the following Compact PLCs: A984-120/13x/14x,
and E984-24x/251/255.

Start-Up
Procedure Using
Modsoft with
Your Compact
Stage 1

146

This procedure takes a Compact from the box to forcing on a coil using Modsoft in
4 stages. The following table includes the steps the first stage.
Step

Action

Remove Compact PLC from the box.

Install DIN rail.

Install backplane DTA200.

Install Compact PLC into slots 1 and 2.

Install P120-000 power supply into slot 3.

Install DEP216 into slot 4.

Install DAP216 into slot 5. For wiring diagrams for the two I/O modules, see the
Modicon A120 Series I/O Modules User Guide (890 USE 109 00).

Connect power to P120-000 power supply.

Connect power from P120-000 power supply to Compact PLC. Depending on

your Compact model refer to a detailed description of full-feature Modsoft and
its operations, see the Modicon Modsoft Programmer User Manual (890 USE
115 00).

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Start-Up
Procedure Using
Modsoft with
Your Compact
Stage 2

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

This stage of the procedure includes the configuration steps.

Step

Action

Start Modsoft from Offline (F2) selection on the Main Menu.

Select New Programs (F2) from the menu.

Enter file name Test.

Use default path.

Select Address (F6) from the menu.

Use default Modbus 1 communication parameters.

Select Config Menu (F5).

Select Overview Menu (F3).

Select PLC Type.

10

Select Compact.

11

Select E255.

12

Use default configuration settings.

13

Select I/O Map, (F4) this places you at rack 1, slot position 101... 105. Leave slot
103 blank because the P120-000 power supply resides in this slot.

14

Move cursor to slot 104.

15

Hit Shift?, this gives you a list of possible I/O modules.

16

Select DEP216.

17

Enter your input reference 10001.

18

Select DAP216.

19

Enter your output reference 1.

20

Hit Quit (F9).

21

Hit Escape to back out to Modsofts main menu.

147

Getting Started

Start-Up
Procedure Using
Modsoft with
Your Compact
Stage 3

148

This stage of the procedure ends with forcing on a coil.

Step

Action

Prior to downloading the program. Connect your W952/110XCA20xxx or

equivalent cable between COM1 of your PC to Modbus port on the PLC. (if you
have a A984 or E984-241/251 PLC).

Ensure the MEM/DEF toggle switch is set to DEF. (if you have an A984 or
E984-241/251 PLC).

Select Transfer (F5).

Select File to PLC.

Press ENTER, and select your programTest.

Press ENTER. This will download your program to the Compact PLC.

A message appears and asks you if you want to start the PLC, type Y.

Hit Escape to back out to Modsofts main menu.

Select On Line (F3).

10

Select Direct to PLC.

11

Select the default communication parameters.

12

A message appears and asks you if you want to create a new network, type Y.

13

Press ENTER.

14

Press the TAB key once, this places the cursor in the network.

15

Select Elements (F3).

16

Select Relays (F1).

17

Select the open contact symbol -| |- (F1).

18

Enter reference number 100001, and press ENTER.

19

Select Elements (F3).

20

Select Relays (F1).

21

Select the coil symbol -( )- (F5).

22

Enter reference number 1, and press ENTER.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Start-Up
Procedure Using
Modsoft with
Your Compact
Stage 4:
Simulating
Turning on the
Input

Use this procedure to simulate turning on the input.

1

Hit ALT F2 to move the cursor into the reference data area.

Enter 100001.

Move cursor to enable field, and enter D to disable.

Move cursor to bit field, and enter 1. This turns on output 1. Do not forget to
enable the bit before processing further. Move cursor to enable field, and enter
E to enable.

Note:Do not forget to enable the hit before processing further. Move the cursor to the
enable field, and enter E to enable.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

149

Getting Started

Using Your Compact with Concept

Overview of
Using Compact
with Concept

This section provides a brief description of how to create a project, for a connection
layout between programming unit and PLC, for the downloading of a user program
into the PLC, as well as on project documentation.
Note: You must use Concept with the following Compact PLCs: E984-258, E984265, E984-275, and E984-285.

150

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Creating a
Project Stage 1

Use the following the procedure to creating a project. in Concept. Note that the
procedure is organized into four stages. Following is stage 1.
Step

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Action

Result

Start Concept.

Create a new project using the menu

command File->New project.

A project window without a name

(untitled) appears.

Open the PLC configurator with the menu

command Project -> Configurator.

The configurator window appears.

Select your PLC and the applicable memory

using the menu command Configure ->
PLC type...

Confirm this selection with the OK button.

The PLC type is displayed in the PLC

selection window.

Open the I/O map with the menu command

Configure -> I/O map ...

The I/O map dialog window appears.

The Local/Remote, Compact I/O

Open the Local/Remote, Compact I/O
dialog with the Edit button. Leave slot 1 & 2 dialog appears.
blank because the CPU resides in slot 1+2.
If the power supply (e.g. P120-000) reside in
this slot 3, leave slot 3 blank also.

Select an I/O module by using the column

Module in line 1-4.

Select the I/O Module DEP 2x6/2x7 (DEP

216) in column Discrete Input.

10

Confirm this selection with the OK button.

The DEP 2x6/2x7 type is displayed

in the Local Compact Drop dialog.

11

Enter your first input reference 100001 (Bit

input) in column In Ref. Use the Params ...
button to configure the various parameters
associated with the various modules.

The last input reference of the

module is displayed automatically in
the column In End.

The selection dialog of all available I/

O Modules appears.

151

Getting Started

Creating a
Project Stage 2

152

Perform the following steps as Stage 2 of creating a project.

1

Select an I/O module by using the column

Module in line 1-5.

The selection dialog of all available I/

O Modules appears.

Select the I/O Module DAP-216-00 in

column Discrete Output.

Confirm this selection with the OK button.

The DAP-216 type is displayed in the

Local Compact Drop dialog.

Enter your first output reference 000001 (Bit

output) in column Out Ref.

The last output reference of the

module is displayed automatically in
the column Out End.

Confirm the Local Compact Drop dialog

(OK) and the I/O Map dialog (OK).

Save the project which includes the

configuration and assign a name to the
project at the same time with the menu
command File -> Save project.

Type Test.prj at the file name text box and

confirm with OK.

Close the configurator window with the

control-menu box.

Create a new section using the menu

command File->New section...

The New Program window appears.

10

Select option button LD.

11

Type example at the Selection name and

confirm with OK

The new section appears.

12

Select the normally closed contact icon at

the icon bar (-| /|-

The cursor symbol changes to the

small contact.

13

Place the cursor near the power rail, and

click with the left mouse button in upper left
block area.

The contact will be inserted.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Creating a
Project Stage 3

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Perform the following steps as Stage 3 of creating a project.

1

Open the FFBs from Library xxx dialog using objects > FFB selection.

Use the button Library ... to select a Library.

Select the Library System and confirm with OK.

Select the SYSCLOCK function at EFB type.

Leave the dialog button close.

Insert the EFB at the left side of the contact.

Use Object -> Link to activate the connect mode.

Place the cursor cross at the left side of the contact (till
you get the checkmark symbol).

Click with the left mouse button.

10

Place the cursor cross at the EFB input (till you get the
checkmark symbol).

11

Click with the left mouse button.

12

Select the coil icon at the icon bar (-O-).

13

Place the cursor cross at the CLK1 output and click with
the left mouse button.

14

Place the cursor cross at the CLK5 output and click with
the left mouse button.

15

Use Object -> Select to activate the select mode.

16

Double click at the normally closed input contact.

17

Select the Direct address option button.

18

Enter 100001 at the Address text box and confirm with

OK.

19

Double click on the first coil.

20

Enter 000001 at the Address text box and confirm with

OK.

21

Double click on the second coil.

22

Enter 000002 at the Address text box and confirm with

OK.

23

Save the project with File-> Save project (or use

CTRL+S).

The cursor symbol

changes to a small EFB.

The cursor symbol

changes to the small coil.

The properties dialog

appears.

The address is displayed

on top of the contact.

153

Getting Started

Creating a
Project Stage 4
Using the
Concept PLC
Simulator

154

Stage 4 of creating a project shows how use the Concept PLC Simulator..
1

Leave Concept with File -> Exit.

Start Concept -> SIM.

Activate simulation with File->

Simulation ON.

Leave Concept SIM with File-> Exit.

Start Concept again.

Open your project with File -> Open ...

-> Test.prjj -> OK.

Open the Connect to PLC dialog using

Online " Connect ... .

Select Modbus Plus at Protocol type.

IEC simulator is shown and selected.

Confirm with OK.

Version mismatch Program "Test"

appears.

Your project opens.

10

Confirm with OK.

11

Open the Download Controller dialog

using Online -> Download ...

12

Press button Download to load

transfer.

Program is transferred to the simulated

PLC.

13

Start Controller by pressing yes.

The status RUNNING and EQUAL are

displayed at the status bar.

14

Start the animation with Online->

Animate booleans.

The current signal state of the contact

and coils are displayed (green=1, red=0).

15

To leave Concept use File -> Exit.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Building the
Connection

Below is the procedure for building the connection.

CAUTION
Disconnect Concept and
Before connecting via Modbus Plus or Modbus make sure you
disconnect to leave Concept and then turn the simulator off.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.
Step

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Action

Using Modbus Plus

Use the menu command Online->
Connect... to open the dialog box for the
connection layout.

Select the port of the Modbus Plus adapter.

Select the respective PLC from the network

list.

Select the access level privilege Change

configuration.

Confirm this with OK.

Using Modbus
Use the menu command Online ->
Connect... to open the dialog box for the
connection layout.

Select the access level privilege Change

configuration.

According to the switch setting on your CPU,

select RTU or ASCII mode.

Check if the settings 9600 baud, Even parity,

8 bits, and 1 stop bit are specified at the
selected interface. (See display above the
command button: 9600, e [for "Even"], 8,1).

10

Enter the node address set for your CPU.

11

Confirm this with OK.

Result

The connection will be built and the

display NOT CONNECTED will
change to NOT EQUAL.

The connection will be established

and the display NOT CONNECTED
will change to NOT EQUAL.

155

Getting Started

Downloading the
User program

156

The following is the procedure for downloading the user program.

Step

Action

Result

Open Project.

Use the menu command Online->

Download... to open the download
dialog.

If the PLC is in RUN mode, a prompt

will ask if you want to stop the PLC.
Confirm this query with Yes.

Activate the check box Configurator

(if not yet selected) to download the
configuration.

Activate the check box user

Program to download the user
program.

If you want to load initial values as

well, also activate the check box
State RAM.

Click at Download to load into the

PLC.

The user program and, if necessary, the

initial values are downloaded to the PLC and
the display in the footer changes to EQUAL.

In response to the query whether to

start the PLC, enter Yes.

The PLC will start.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Getting Started

Forcing an Input

The following is the procedure for forcing an input.

Step

Action

Result

Use the menu command Online->

Reference Data Editor ... to open the RDE
template screen.

Click on an address box and type 10001.

Click on the disable button in the same row.

Click on the value field and type 1 <ENTER> Forces the input On or Off dependent
to force the input on, 0 <ENTER> to force
on the value used (1or 0).
the input off.

CAUTION
You must enable the input before performing further processing.
Do not forget to enable the input before processing further.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

157

Getting Started

158

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

System Specifications

B
Compact Specifications
Compact PLC
System
Specifications

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

The following information describes the technical specifications for the Compact
PLC system.
The technical specifications are organized as five tables.

159

System Specifications

The following table is table 1 of the technical specifications.

Models

160

PC-A984120

With one Modbus communication port standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size: 1.5K words, 8Mhz.

PC-A984130

With one Modbus communication port standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size: 4.0K words, 8Mhz.

PC-A984145

With one Modbus communication port and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User logic size: 8.0K
words, 8Mhz.

PC-A984131

With two Modbus communication ports standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size: 4.0K words, 8Mhz.

PC-A984141

With two Modbus communication ports standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size: 8.0K words, 8Mhz.

PC-E984241

With two Modbus communication ports standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size: 8.0K words, FLASH RAM (exec only), 16Mhz.

PC-E984245

With one Modbus communication port and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User logic size: 8.0K
words, FLASH RAM (exec only), 16Mhz.

PC-E984251

With two Modbus communication ports standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User
logic size:16.0K Words FLASH RAM (exec only), 16Mhz, 24K of extended registers.

PC-E984255

With one Modbus communication port and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard, and a slot for an 8 or 32 byte EEPROM; User logic size: 16.0K
words, FLASH RAM exec only), 16Mhz, 24K of extended registers.

PC-E984258

With two Modbus communication ports standard; User logic size: 16.0K words, State RAM
size: 32K words, Total size: 48K words, 128K words of configurable SDA 6X registers, FLASH
RAM (exec plus user program storage), 25Mhz, operating temperature -40 ... +70C, the Run,
Ready, Modbus 1 and Modbus 2 LEDs are yellow. TOD sync with GPS input terminals.

PC-E984265

With two Modbus communication ports and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard; User logic size: 8.0K words, State RAM size: 16K words, Total
size: 24K words, 128K words of configurable SDA 6X registers, FLASH RAM (exec plus user
program storage), 25Mhz. TOD sync with GPS input terminals.

PC-E984275

With two Modbus communication ports and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard; User logic size: 16.0K words, State RAM size: 32K words, Total
size: 48K words, 128K words of configurable SDA 6X registers, FLASH RAM (exec plus user
program storage), 25Mhz, and one PCMCIA slot. TOD sync with GPS input terminals.

PC-E984285

With two Modbus communication ports and one Modbus Plus peer-to-peer network
communication port standard; User logic size: 32.0K words, State RAM size: 64K words, Total
size: 96K words, 128K words of configurable SDA 6X registers, FLASH RAM (exec plus user
program storage), 25Mhz, operating temperature -40 ... +70C and one PCMCIA card slot. TOD
sync with GPS input terminals.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

System Specifications

The following table is table 2 of the technical specifications.

State RAM

A984 & E984-24x/251/2 55

2k

E984-258/275

32k

E984-265

16k

E984-285

64k

Word size

16 bit

Technology

CMOS with lithium battery backup

Battery

100 days minimum backup retention period

5 year replacement period to assure backup capacity

I/O
I/O type supported
Capabilities Local I/O support

A120 Series
One, I/O Mapped as drop #1

I/O racks/drop

Four (maximum) one primary rack and up to three secondary

expansion racks

I/O modules/drop

18 (maximum) three in the primary rack and five in each expansion rack

Power for I/O racks

From the Controller power supply

NOTE: Logic side only. User must provide field side power if needed.

Remote I/O support

None

I/O
Capacity
(Maximum)

A984-1xx&E984-24x/251/255 256 maximum Discrete I/O points, any mix (0x, 1x)
64 words Register I/O (32 in/32 out) (3x, 4x)

E984-258&
E984-265

128 In/128 Out words

Total I/O capacity 256 words

PLC Power

I/O Bus
Power

PCMCIA
(E984-275/
285)

E984-275

256 In/256 Out words

Total I/O capacity 512 words

E984-285

512 In/512 Out words

Total I/O capacity 1024 words

A984 & E984-24x/251/255

24 Vdc -15% +20% maximum steady state input current 1 A @ 24 Vdc

E984-258/285

24 Vdc -30% +25% maximum steady state input current 1.0A @24 Vdc

E984-265/275

24 Vdc -20% +25% maximum steady state input current 1.1A @24 Vdc

A984 & E984-24x/251/255

5 Vdc @ 2.5 A

E984-265/275

5 Vdc @ 3.0 A

E984-258/285

5 Vdc @ 2.5 A

Current Rating

110 ma @ 5V for -40 ... +855C for AS-FLSH-004C

Compliance Standard

PCMCIA standard 2.1, type II socket type supported

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

161

System Specifications

The following table is table 3 of the technical specifications.

Logic Solve
Time

Throughput

0984/A984 PICs

4.25 ms ... 6 ms/K nodes standard ladder logic (not

including end-of-scan diagnostics, I/O processing, or
Modbus command handling)

E984-24x/25x

2.13 ms ... 3 ms/K nodes standard ladder logic (not

including end-of-scan diagnostics, I/O processing, or
Modbus command handling)

E984-258/265/
275/285

0.2ms/k minimum, average for 1K (binary logic)

0.6ms/k maximum average for 1K (binary logic)

0984/A984 PLCs 8 ms ... 11 ms for 64 I/O points and 1K of logic

E984-24x/25x
PLCs Only

4 ms ... 5.5 ms for 64 I/O points and 1K of logic

E984-258/265/
275/285 PLCs
Only

6.7 ms average for 6.1K logic

6.2ms average for 4.2K logic
6.1 ms average for 2.5K logic
6.0 ms average for 1.6K logic

Timers
Watch Dog Timer 250 ms, with nominal +10%, selectable time-out
(A984, E984- Time of Day
Variation @ 255 C = < + 30 seconds/month Max.
241/25 1/255) Clock
Variation @ 605 C = + 4 minutes/month
Timers
Watch Dog Timer 250 ms (S/W adjustable)
(E984-258/26 Time of Day
+ 8.0 seconds/day @ 0 ... 605 C
5/275/285
Clock
CPU
Diagnostic
Procedures

162

Schedule

Continuous, commencing at power up

Tests

Available memory for both RAM and ROM, Internal

processor resources; Communication with peripheral
and/or networked devices; I/O bus during I/O activity

Normal CPU
failure response

Orderly termination of the process and logging of the

error condition

Error code
accessibility

From programming panel or DAP, except for catastrophic

CPU failure

Catastrophic
failure response

READY LED goes OFF and system fails to respond

Executive
failures (E984s)

If memory checksum fails the RUN LED will blink 3 times

for.5 seconds followed by a rest period of 2.5 seconds
then the pattern repeats. The controller has detected a
STOP ERROR CODE and may require either restarting,
reloading of the user logic, or reloading of the executive
firmware.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

System Specifications

Table 4 of the technical specifications describes physical and agency specifications.

Weight

PC-A984-145

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-A984-130

455 g (1.00 lb)

PC-A984-120

455 g (1.00 lb)

PC-A984-131

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-A984-141

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-E984-241

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-E984-245

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-E984-251

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-E984-255

540 g (1.19 lb)

PC-E984-258

550 g (1.21 lb)

PC-E984-265

540 g (1.25 lb)

PC-E984-275

580 g (1.27 lb)

PC-E984-285

580 g (1.27 lb)

AS-HTDA-200

330 g (0.73 lb), with cover

AS-HTDA-201

330 g (0.73 lb), with cover

AS-HTDA-202
Agency
A984-120/131/1
Approvals 41

150 g (0.33 lb), with cover

VDE 0160; UL 508; CSA 22.2 No.142 and FM Class I, Div
2 Standards

A984-145, E984241/251/2 55

UL 508; CSA 22.2 No.142, FM Class I, Div 2 and Europeans

Directive on EMC 89/336/EEC Standards

E984-258/265/2
75/285

UL 508; CSA 22.2 No.142, European Directive on EMC 89/

336/EEC, and Low Voltage Directive 79/23/EEC Standards.
FM Class I, Div 2 is pending.

E984-258C/265 C/ UL 508; CSA 22.2 No.142, and European Directive on EMC

275C/285C
89/336/EEC, and Low Voltage Directive 79/23/EEC
Standards. FM Class I, Div 2 is pending. In addition, E984258C meets EN 50 155 Railway standard.

Note: E984-258/265/275/285 models are available with conformal coating. The

conformal coating models are E984-258C, E984-265C, E984-275C, and E984285C.

Note: E984-258C meets Railway standard EN 50 155 because it has yellow LEDs,
extended operating temperature, conformal coating, and can be operated with no
battery in addition to other requirements.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

163

System Specifications

Table 5 describes specifications related to programming the Compact PLCs.

Programming

Language

Standard 984 ladder logic instruction set with optional

loadables (Custom Loadables, DX Loadables Drum
Sequencer)

Panel Software

SW-MSxD-9SA

Full-feature Modsoft

372SPU44001

Concept

371SPU921000

Modsoft Lite

SW-MSLA-W9F

Modicon State Language*

371SPU68001

ProWORX

Loadable
SW-AP98-GDA
Support Software SW-AP98-SDA

Custom Loadable Kit

DRUM/ ICMP Function Blocks

SW-SASI-001

Drum Sequencer Interface

SW-AP9D-EDA

Event Alarm Recording System

(EARS) Loadable

SW-EUCA-D8L

Engineering Unit Conversion and

Alarming (EUCA) Loadable

SW-HLTH-D8L

984 Health Status (HLTH)

Loadable

309 ULD 455 00

Gas Load able E984-258C/ 265/

275/285 Only

309 COM 455 00

XMIT Load able E984-258C/ 265/

275/285 Only

SW-IODR-001

Required driver for some I/O

modules (See the NOTE be low)

* Only applies to A984-130/145, E984-241/245, and E984-251/255 controllers.

NOTE: PCFL (Process Control Function Library) panel software is not supported.

Note: Some A120 I/O modules (DEP 211/214/215/217, DAP217/211, ADU211/

214/216, DAU204, VIC2xx, and MOT20x) require a loadable (SW-IODR-001) for
proper operation when using certain PLCs (A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255) with
Modsoft. In contrast, these separate loadables are not needed when using other
PLCs (E984-258/265/275/285). Refer to the A120 Series I/O Modules User Guide
(890 USE 109 00 formerly GM-A984-IOS).

164

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

System Specifications

Environmental
System
Specifications

All Compact 984 PLCs and all power supplies are designed to the following
environmental standards.
The environmental system specifications are provided in the following table.
Operating Conditions

Storage Conditions

Electromagnetic
Susceptibility

Power Supply
Requirements

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Temperature

0 ... 60C (32 ... 140F)

-40 ... +705C E984-258/285 Only

Relative Humidity

0 ... 93% noncondensing @ 60C

Chemical
Interactions

Enclosures and bezels are made with Lexan,

a polycarbon that can be damaged by strong
alkaline solutions.

Altitude

15,000 ft (4500 m)

Vibration

10 ... 57 Hz, 0.075 mmDA

Free Fall

3 ft (1 m)

Temperature

-40 ... +85C (-40 ... +185F)

Relative Humidity

0 ... 93% noncondensing @ 60C

Shock

30 g for 11 ms, 3 shocks/axis and direction

Radiated

27 ... 1000 MHz, 10 V/m

Surge Withstand

Transients

2 kV on power sup ply

and I/O

Ringwave

2.5 kV on power sup ply

and I/O

Fast Transients

+/- 2 kV for power supply, +/- 1 kV for I/O

Electro static Dis

charge

+/- 8 kV Air, ten discharges

+/- 4 kV Contact, ten discharges

P120-000

230Vac, See Appendix D

P120-125

125Vdc, See Appendix D

P120-250

240 Vac, See Appendix D

PRTU-252

240Vac, See Appendix D

PRTU-258

240 Vac, See Appendix D

165

System Specifications

Note: The E984-258/258C/285/285C PLCs and the related extended temperature

I/O modules (ADU254/254C, ADU256/256C, DAP258/258C, DAP252/252C,
DAP250/250C, DAP253, DAU252/252C, DEP254/254C, DEP256/256C, DEP257/
257C, and FRQ254) can operate at ambient temperatures as low as -40 degrees
centigrade under the condition that the system is housed in an enclosure that
retains some of the heat dissipated by the system components. A typical system
tested required 14 watts heat dissipation to maintain the internal enclosure
temperature sufficient for proper operation. In no case can the cold start
temperature be lower than -25 degrees centigrade.

166

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CE Requirements

C
Requirements for CE Compliance
Overview

The Compact 984 component you have determines to which information you should
refer for your EMC requirements.
Note: The E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs meet EMC requirements by design.
Therefore, none of the following information applies to these four PLC models.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

167

CE Requirements

Installation
Requirements
for Certain
Compact Family
Products

The following information describes the installation requirements necessary to

maintain compliance with the European Directive for EMC 89/336/EEC for certain
(PC-A984-145, PC-E984-241, PC-E984-245, PC-E984-251, PC-E984-255, ASBDAP-210, AS-BDAP-218, AS-BVIC-200, AS-BVIC-205, AS-BVIC-212, AS-BVIC224, AS-BVRC-200, AS-BCTR-205, AS-BCTR-212, AS-BCTR-224, AS-BADU-211,
AS-BADU-212, AS-BADU-204, and AS-BMOT-201) Compact 984 components.
Note: For information about specific I/O modules, please refer to the A120 Series
I/O Modules User Guide (890 USE 109 00 formerly GM-A984-IOS).
Use the following requirements for installations complying with the CE marking:
l Use Braided Shielded Cable on all power supply, communications, and I/O lines.
Either the Modicon Grounding Bar (Modicon part number 043509693) or a
compatible device may be used. The cable should have at least 80% shield
coverage. If you are using the Grounding Bar, the Outer Diameter of the shield
should be in the range of 0.189 ... 0.240 in (4.8 ... 6.0 mm).
l All cable shields must be grounded using the clips on the Grounding Bar.
Alternatively, you can supply an equivalent low impedance RF ground clamp.
l CPU/PS ground terminal (Ground) must be left open as shown.
l Install braided earth ground from building earth ground to grounding clip (or clips
as required) and to backplane 0 Volt reference.
l Use the plastic faceplate supplied with the backplane to cover the front of
modules.
l If using a BMOT-201 module, all cables (Motor I/O Cable, Encoder Cable and I/
O Cable) exiting the BMOT-201 module must pass through a large Ferrite Bead
(Steward part number 28 B2400-000).

168

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CE Requirements

The following figure shows how the configuration would look.

Backplane
Positive
Conductor
External + Out
24 Vdc
Power
- Out
Supply

Negative
Conductor

CPU/PS

+24Vin
-24Vin

I/O

I/O

B
M
O
T
2
0
1

0V Reference

Shield
Braid
No
Connection
Here

Flat Braid Cable .25in (6.3mm) or wider

Stripped Outer Jacket

Grounding Bar
3
To Building
Ground

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

2 Conductor Cable
with Braided Shield

169

CE Requirements

This table shows the Parts List for Callouts for Above and Below.
Callout

Vendor (or
equivalent)

Part Number

Description

Instruction

Modicon

Shipped with
backplane

Plastic Cover

Installation is Required.

2
3

Modicon

043509693

Steward
(Outside the
United States
call Livingston,
Scotland at
(0044) 1-506414-200)

28 B2400-000 Ferrite Bead

1.37in(34.8mm) I.D.;
2.5in (63.5mm) O.D.;
.44in (11.2mm) Thick

170

Flat Braid Cable.25in

(6.3mm) or wider
Grounding Bar

All cable shields must

be grounded.
For a BMOT-201
ONLY: All cables
(Motor, I/O, Encoder
and I/O cables) must
pass through this large
ferrite bead. Secure it
with a tie wrap or
equivalent.

Braided Shielded
Cable. 80% shield
coverage, #of
conductor and gauge
per user
requirements.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CE Requirements

The following figure shows how the configuration looks using the parts in this table.
DIN Rail

Reference
Ground Point

2
4

5
Insulation Removed
in Region Near Grounding Clip
(Both Input and Output Cables)

Flat Braid Cable

to Earth Ground

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Tie Wraps to Hold

Cables in Grounding
Clips

171

CE Requirements

Installation
Requirements
for Certain
Compact Family
Products

172

Follow these requirements for installations that must comply with the CE marking:
l Install equipment following approved EMC practices, i.e. protective earthing and
functional earthing, connections with good conductivity, and grounding cables of
sufficient cross section
l Avoid all sources of electrical disturbance in proximity of the equipment,
encapsulation with metallic walls
l Use manufacturer approved cabling
l Use EMC compliant grounding of cable shielding (proper mechanical connection,
connection surface, clamps)
l Separate data and signal cable routing, which emit disturbances (e.g. power
cables with switching transients)
l Use the prescribed suppression filters and their competent installation
To improve EMC stability on the modules it is recommended that the U (voltage) and
M (common) connections used here have a capacitive discharge that is as short as
possible from the terminal towards the functional earth. This is the purpose of the
capacitive discharge terminal (GND 001), refer to the following figure. In an
environment that has a high interference level, an increase of the capacity on the C1
from 2.2 nF to 22 nF is recommended.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CE Requirements

The following figure shows the capacitive discharge terminal.

N
DTA 201/202

to M of the power supply N1, N2, ...

DTA 200

2.5 qmm

2.5 qmm

C1
6 qmm

Z3

Z2

DTA 201

DTA 201/202

C1 Capacitive discharge terminal GND 001

N Power supply modules CPU / DEA / ASP / P120
Z2 Earthing cleat EDS 000
Z3 Cable earthing bar CER 001

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

173

CE Requirements

The following figure also shows the capacitive discharge terminal.

U = 24 VDC
F Automatic circuit breaker
C1 Capacitive discharge terminal GND 001
F
I/O modbus
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
M
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

C1
2.5 qmm Cu

M
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Note: Earthing system of the 0V on the rack is already preset when delivered.

174

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

CE Requirements

For earthing systems of the shielded cable lines, the following table provides an
overview of recommended shielded cables.
Types

Features

Use

KAB-2277-LI

shielded, 3 x 0.14 qmm

DCF 77E to KOS

KAB-2205-LI

shielded, twisted-pair, 2 x 2 x 0.5 qmm System field bus to DEA 201; inputs,
outputs for ADU and DAU; counting
input for ZAE 204; pulse counter for
ZAE 201

KAB-0505-LI

shielded, 5 x 0.5 qmm

Output unit on TXT 201

KAB-0875-LI

shielded, 8 x 0.75 qmm

Sensors and drives for POS 202

KAB-1005-LI

shielded, twisted-pair, 5 x 2 x 0.5 qmm Group line to ZAE 204; position

sensing for ZAE 201; sensors and
drives for POS 202

KAB-1014-LI

shielded, 10 x 0.14 qmm

KAB PROFIB shielded, inflexible, 2 x 0.64 qmm

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Sensor for POS 202

PROFIBUS to DEA 203

175

CE Requirements

176

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

D
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information describes the two optional power supplies that are
currently available for the Compact PLC system.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic
P120-000 Power Supply

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Page
178

P120-000 Specifications

180

P120-125 Power Supply

181

P120-125 Specifications

183

P120-250(C) Power Supply Module

184

The P120-250(C) Specifications

186

PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Power Supply Modules

187

PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Specifications

190

177

A120 Power Supplies

P120-000 Power Supply

Overview of the
P120-000
Power Supply

The P120-000 is an isolated power supply for a Compact CPU installed in an

environment with 115/230 Vac available. The unit accepts inputs voltages from a
115 V or 230 V (+15%) ac source and outputs a 24 Vdc supply to the CPU at 1 A
continuous current.
The following figure shows the front view of the P120 Power Supply.
P120

L
VAC
IN

24
24
VDC
VDC
OUT
OUT

+
-

CAUTION
Remove power before making any connections.
Neat and proper workmanship methods by qualified personnel must be
employed when making connections to this module. Take extra
precautions if you are using stranded wire. Ensure that loose or
projecting strands do not short circuit or ground the other terminals. We
recommend that you use solid wire.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

178

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

The P120 module is designed to be inserted in any available I/O slot in the DTA 200
backplane just like a standard A120 I/O module, but it does not make any
connections to the backplane. No jumper changes or switch setting changes are
required when changing from 115 Vac to 230 Vac power input, or when changing
from 230 Vac to 115 Vac input.
Overload and
Overvoltage
Protection

The P120 has internal overvoltage protection, preventing the output voltage from
exceeding 35 V should the supply lose regulation. If an overvoltage condition is
sensed, the P120 shuts down and will not restart until the ac input power source has
been turned OFF for a minimum of 5 min. The P120 also has internal overload
protection which permits the unit to safely transition into a short circuit for a period
no greater than 5 min.

LED Indicator

The P120 has one green LED indicating when ON that the unit is supplying DC
power within regulation (+5%). Marginal regulation-line voltage provided but below
the required 5% minimum-causes the LED to glow dimly. The LED goes OFF upon
loss of regulation.
Note: It is not recommended that a single P120 power supply be used to power
the Compact 984 and its I/O.
A separate supply, which may be a P120, is recommended to reduce the risk of
field noise affecting the controllers operation. This is also beneficial in cases of
single-supply configurations, where a field point failure could cause the controller
to shut down

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

179

A120 Power Supplies

P120-000 Specifications
Specifications
for the P120-000
Power Supply

The P120-000 Power Supply technical specifications are described herein.

Refer to the following table for the detail specifications for the P120-000 Power
Supply.
Input Ratings

Input Voltage Range 95 ... 253 Vac

Frequency Range

47Hz ... 63 Hz

Ground Leakage

< 1.5 mA @ 265 Vac

Input Current

0.6 A @ 115 Vac nominal

0.3 A @ 220 Vac nominal

Output Ratings

Reliability

Dimensions

Inrush current

6 A typical @ 115 Vac

Output Voltage

24 Vdc (+5%)

Current

0 ... 1 A continuous

Ripple/Noise

100 mV peak to peak

Holdup

Operates in regulation for periods > 12 ms with

half-cycle dropout in nominal ac input voltage

Transient Load
Performance

20% change in load, linear ramp over 200 ms

Power-up Stability

From AC power application to regulation within 5

s; will not overshoot regulation tolerance during
power-up

Service Life

5 yr

MTBF

50,000 hr (minimum) at 30C, assuming fixed

ground and component stress within maximum
specifications

WxHxD

40.3 x 145 x 117.5 mm (1.6 x 5.6 x 4.5 in)

Weight

220 g (.5 lb)

Agency Approvals Designed to meet

180

VDE 0160, UL 508, Factory Mutual Class I,

Division 2 and CSA 142 Standards

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

P120-125 Power Supply

About P120-125
Power Supply

The P120-125 is an isolated power supply for a Compact 984 CPU installed in a dc
environment
The unit accepts inputs voltages from 105 to 150 Vdc source and outputs 24 Vdc to
the CPU up to 1.5 A continuous current. The P120-125 module is designed to be
inserted in any available I/O slot in the backplane just like a standard A120 I/O
module, but it does not make any connections in the backplane.
The following figure shows the front view of the P120-125 power supply.
P120

L
VAC
IN

24
24
VDC
VDC
OUT
OUT

+
-

CAUTION
Remove power before making any connections.
Neat and proper workmanship methods by qualified personnel must be
employed when making connections to this module. Take extra
precautions if you are using stranded wire. Ensure that loose or
projecting strands do not short-circuit or ground the other terminals. We
recommend that you use solid wire.
Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or
equipment damage.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

181

A120 Power Supplies

Overload and
Overvoltage
Protection

The P120-125 has internal overvoltage protection, preventing the output voltage
from exceeding 36 V should the supply lose regulation. The P120-125 also has
internal overload protection which permits the unit to safely transition into a short
circuit for a period no greater than 5 min.

LED Indicator

The P120-125 has one green LED indicating, when ON, that the unit is supplying dc
power within regulation (+5%). Marginal regulation-line voltage provided but below
the required 5% minimum-causes the LED to glow dimly. The LED goes OFF upon
loss of regulation.
Note: It is not recommended that a single P120-125 power supply be used to
power the Compact 984 and its I/O.
A separate supply, which may be a P120-125, is recommended to reduce the risk
of field noise affecting the controllers operation. This is also beneficial in cases of
single-supply configurations, where a field point failure could cause the controller
to shut down.

182

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

P120-125 Specifications
P120-125
Power Supply
Specifications

The following table lists the technical specifications of the P120-125 power supply.
Input Ratings

Input Voltage Range 105 ... 150 Vdc

Input Current

Output Ratings

Reliability

Dimensions

Inrush current

1 A typical @ 125 Vdc

Output Voltage

24 Vdc (+5%)

Current

.1A ... 1.5 A continuous

Ripple/Noise

650 mV peak to peak

Holdup

Operates in regulation after removal of power

(maximum 10 ms)

Power-up Stability

From dc power application to regulation within

10s; will not overshoot regulation tolerance
during power-up

Service Life

5 yr

MTBF

51,800 hr @ 30C, assuming fixed ground and

component stress within maximum specifications

WxHxD

40.3 x 145 x 117.5 mm (1.6 x 5.6 x 4.5 in)

Weight

220 g (.5 lb)

Agency Approvals Designed to meet

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

0.5 A @ 125 Vdc nominal

UL 508, CSA 142 Standards

183

A120 Power Supplies

P120-250(C) Power Supply Module

About the
P120-250
Power Supply

The P120-250 is an AC input isolated power supply module for a Compact 984 CPU
installed in a DC environment. It is also suitable for use with the A120 I/O. A
conformal coated version, the P120-250C, is also available.
The P120-250(C) accepts input voltages from 90 to 264 VAC, and supplies 24 VDC
to the CPU at 2.0 A continuous current.
This supply is designed to be inserted in any available I/O slot in the backplane just
like the standard A120 I/O module, but connections are not made through the
backplane. Connections are made to the appropriate terminals located on the front
of the Power supply.
The following figure shows the front view of the P120-250(C) power supply.

ASP120

18

19

20
21
18
19
20
21
22

184

22

AC IN

+ 24 VDC
- OUT

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

DANGER
Hazard of Electric Shock, Burn, or Explosion
This equipment must be installed and serviced only by qualified
electrical personnel.
l Turn off all power supplying this equipment before working on or
inside equipment.
l Always use a properly rated voltage sensing device to confirm power
is off.
l Replace all devices, doors, and covers before turning on power to
this equipment.
l Take extra precautions if you are using stranded wire. Ensure that
loose or projecting strands do not short-circuit ground or other
terminals. We recommend that you use solid wire.
Failure to observe this precaution will result in death or serious
injury.

Overload and
Overvoltage
Protection

Should the supply lose regulation it has an internal over voltage protection that
prevents the output from exceeding 35 V. If an over voltage condition is sensed the
the module will shut down and will not restart until the AC input source has been
turned off for a minimum of 5 minutes.

LED Indicator

This power supply has one green LED indicating, when on, that the unit is supplying
DC power within regulation (+/- 0.5 VDC). The LED goes off upon loss of regulation.
Note: It is not recommended that the same power supply be used to power the
Compact 984 and its I/O.
Separate supplies are recommended to reduce the risk of field noise affecting the
controllers operation. In cases of single supply configurations a field point failure
could cause the power supply, and so the controller, to shut down.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

185

A120 Power Supplies

The P120-250(C) Specifications

Technical
Specifications
Input Ratings

Output rating

Reliability

The following table details the technical specifications for the P120-250 power
supply module.
AC Input voltage
range

90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz

Ground leakage
current

0.7mA @ 264 VAC

Input current

0.9A @ 90 VAC

Inrush current

5 A typical @ 240 VAC

Output voltage

24 VDC (+/- 0.5)

Output Current

12mA to 2A continuous

Ripple/noise

+/- 250 mV peak to peak

Load regulation

Maximum +/- 0.2 % from 1 A to 2 A

Holdup

Operates in regulation for period > 10 ms after removal of power.

Output regulation

+/- 0.2% from 90 to 264 VAC

Transient load
performance

A 20% change in load, performed as a linear ramp over a minumum of 200 m

seconds, will not cause the power supplies to exceed their specified regulation
band.

Service life

5 years

Physical
Format
Characteristics

One slot
Note: A two slot passive mounting frame for panel or rail is available from
Schneider Automation. Part # 42702282

Dimensions
(WxHxD)

40.3 x 145 x 117.5 mm (1.6 x 5.6 x 4.5 in)

Weight

328 g (.7 lb)

Agency
Approvals

UL508, UL1210, UL1950, CSA 950, TUV 950, and CE requirements

Environmental
Rating

Conducted and
radiated noise
Temperature

-40C to +70C (to +85C non operating)

Isolation

Input to output
(SELV
Construction)

2500 VRMS

Input to chassis
ground

1500 VRMS

186

Meets FCC docket 20780 Class A (Industrial)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Power Supply Modules

About the Power
Supplies

These modules are AC input isolated power supplies with user supplied battery
backup for a Compact 984 CPU installed in a DC environment. They are also
suitable for use with the A120 I/O. Conformal coated versions, the PRTU252C and
PRTU258C, are available.
The PRTU252(C) accepts input voltages from 90 to 264 VAC or 8 to 14.5 VDC. It
supplies 24 VDC to the CPU at 2.0A continuous current.
The PRTU258(C) accepts input voltages from 90 to 264 VAC or 30 to 70 VDC. It
supplies 24 VDC to the CPU at 2.0A continuous current.
These supplies may be inserted in any available I/O slot in the backplane just like a
standard A120 I/O module, but connections are not made through the backplane.
Connections are made to the appropriate terminals located on the front of the Power
supply.
The following figure shows the front view of the PRTU252(C) power supply.

RTU252

18
19
20
21
22

L
N

AC IN

+ 24 VDC
- OUT

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

18
19
20
21
22

18
19
20
21
22

18

8 to 14.5

19

VDC IN

20
21

22

Power Lost
Signal

187

A120 Power Supplies

This figure shows the front view of the PRTU258(C) power supply.

RTU258

18
19
20
21
22

L
N

AC IN

+ 24 VDC
- OUT
18
19
20
21
22

18
19
20
21
22

18

30 to 70

19

VDC IN

20
21

22

Power Lost
Signal

DANGER
Hazard of Electric Shock, Burn, or Explosion
This equipment must be installed and serviced only by qualified
electrical personnel.
l Turn off all power supplying this equipment before working on or
inside equipment.
l Always use a properly rated voltage sensing device to confirm power
is off.
l Replace all devices, doors, and covers before turning on power to
this equipment.
l Take extra precautions if you are using stranded wire. Ensure that
loose or projecting strands do not short-circuit ground or other
terminals. We recommend that you use solid wire.
Failure to observe this precaution will result in death or serious
injury.

188

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

Overload and
Overvoltage
Protection

Should the supplies lose regulation they have internal over voltage protection that
prevents the output from exceeding 35 V. If an over voltage condition is sensed the
modules will shut down and will not restart until the AC or DC input source has been
turned off for a minimum of 5 minutes.

LED Indicators

These power supplies have two indicator LEDs, one green and one red. The green
LED is located on the AC line source side and, when on, indicates that the power
supply is running properly with AC line input present. The red LED, located on the
DC battery power input side indicates, when on, that the supply is running on the
user supplied DC source (battery), and that the AC line input is not present. The
indicator LEDs will not be on at the same time.
Note: It is not recommended that the same power supply be used to power both
the Compact 984 and its I/O.
Separate supplies are recommended to reduce the risk of field noise affecting the
controllers operation. In cases of single supply configurations a field point failure
could cause the power supply, and so the controller, to shut down.

Battery Backup

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

In the event of a primary power outage the Compact system continues to operate on
the user supplied battery backup and a 24VDC (12mA max.) power lost signal is
generated. This power lost signal may be monitored using a discrete input module
or other method per the user requirement. Battery support time is dependent upon
the Compact system power requirement and the capacity of the user supplied
battery.

189

A120 Power Supplies

PRTU252(C) and PRTU258(C) Specifications

Technical
Specifications

The following table details the technical specifications for the PRTU252(C) and the
PRTU258(C) power supply modules. All specifications are for both modules except
where indicated.
Input Ratings

AC Input voltage range 90 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz

DC Input voltage range PRTU 252(C)
PRTU 258(C)

8.5 to 13.8 VDC

30 to 70 VDC

Ground leakage current 0.7mA @ 264 VAC

Input current

Inrush current
Output Ratings Output voltage

5 A typical @
240 VAC

PRTU 252(C)

5.0 A @ 12
VDC

PRTU 258(C)

1.8 A @ 30
VDC

8 A typical @ 12 VDC
5 A typical @ 48 VDC

24 VDC (+/- 0.5 VDC)

Output Current

12mA to 2A continuous

Ripple/noise

+/- 250 mV peak to peak

Load regulation

Maximum +/- 0.2 % from 1 A to 2 A

Holdup

Operates in regulation for period > 10 ms after

removal of power.

Output regulation

PRTU 252

+/- 0.2% from 90 to 264 VAC or

8.5 to 13.8 VDC

PRTU 258

+/- 0.2% from 90 to 264 VAC or

30 to 70 VDC

Transient load
performance

A 20% change in load, performed as a linear ramp

over a minumum of 200 m seconds, will not cause
the power supplies to exceed their specified
regulation band.

Power Lost
Signal

Voltage

24 VDC

Current

12 mA Maximum

Reliability

Service life

5 years

Physical
Format
Characteristics

190

0.9A @ 90
VAC

Two slots
Note: A two slot passive mounting frame for panel
or rail is available from Schneider Automation.
Part # 42702282

Dimensions (WxHxD)

81.3 x 145 x 117.5 mm (3.3 x 5.6 x 4.5 in)

Weight

588 g (1.3 lb)

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

A120 Power Supplies

Agency
Approvals

UL508, UL1210, UL1950, CSA 950, TUV 950, and CE requirements

Environmental
Rating

Conducted and
radiated noise
Temperature

-40C to +70C (to +85C non operating)

Isolation

Input to output
(SELV Construction)

2500 VRMS

Meets FCC docket 20780 Class A (Industrial)

Input to chassis ground 1500 VRMS

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

191

A120 Power Supplies

192

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Compact Accessories

E
At a Glance
Introduction

This appendix describes the Compact accessories.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Topic

Page

PLC Accessories

194

A120 I/O Modules

196

193

Compact Accessories

PLC Accessories
Listing of PLC
Accessories

The information in the following table describes the PLC Accessories for Compact.

Controller
Accessories

8K byte EEPROM auxiliary memory card AS-MEEP-001

(stores up to 4K words user logic)
32K byte EEPROM auxiliary memory
card (stores 16K words)

AS-MEEP-000

4 Meg PCMCIA auxiliary memory card (- AS-FLSH-004

40 ... +70C, 150nS, without conformal
coating, with pull-tab)
4 Meg PCMCIA auxiliary memory card (- AS-FLSH-004C
40 ... +70C, 150nS, with conformal coat
ing, with pull-tab)
5 PCMCIA card pull-tabs

042710786

120 Vac to 24 Vdc Power Converter

AS-P120-000

125 Vdc to 24 Vdc Power Converter

AS-P120-125

240 Vac to 24 Vdc Power Converter

AS-P120-250

240 Vac to 24 Vdc Power Converter

AS-PRTU-252

240 Vac to 24 Vdc Power Converter

AS-PRTU-258

1.0 gram tube of Nyogel contact lubricant 99-C759-000

for conformally coated products
2.0 ounce tube of Nyogel contact
99-C759-100
lubricant for conformally coated products
Housing

194

Primary, with 2 slots for Controller and 3

I/O slots

AS-HDTA-200

Secondary with 5 I/O slots

AS-HDTA-201

Secondary with 2 I/O slots

AS-HDTA-202

Primary, with 2 slots for Controller and 3

I/O slots with conformal coating

AS-HDTA-200C

Secondary with 5 I/O slots with

conformal coating

AS-HDTA-201C

Secondary with 2 I/O slots with

conformal coating

AS-HDTA-202C

3.5 in Diskette Storage Box

AS-HBOX-201

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Compact Accessories

Cables (A984,
E984-24x/25x)

RS-232C cable with 25-pin IBM-XT

panel connection

AS-W951-012

RS-232C cable with 9-pin IBM-AT panel

connection

AS-W952-012

Cables (E984RJ45 adapter connector pre made for

258/265/275/285) PC-ATs (9-pin)

Front Covers

Cables for
Backplanes

110XCA20300

RJ45 adapter connector wire-it-yourself

(male) for PC-ATs (9-pin)

110XCA20301

RJ45 adapter connector wire-it-yourself

(female) for PC-ATs (9-pin)

110XCA20302

RJ45 adapter connector pre made for

PC-XTs (25-pin)

110XCA20400

RJ45 adapter connector wire-it-yourself

(male) for PC-XT (25-pin)

110XCA20401

RJ45 adapter connector wire-it-yourself

(female) for PC-XT (25-pin)

110XCA20402

RS-232 communication cable

assemblies (with RJ45 connectors on
both ends)

110XCA28201 3ft
(1m)110XCA28202 10ft
(3m)110XCA28203 20ft (6m)

I/O module cover - 2 slot

043507936

I/O module cover - 5 slot

043507935

I/O Bus Extension Cable (30-pin female- AS-WBXT-201

to-female connectors)
I/O Bus Extension Cable (30-pin female- AS-WBXT-203
to-male connectors)

Batteries*

Eternacell

60-0576-000

Maxell

60-0576-100

Saft

60-0576-100

Battery dummy

AS-BDUM-001

*Due to size differences, Eternacell batteries must be replaced with other Eternacells. Maxell
and Saft batteries are interchangeable.
Other
Accessories

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Terminal Block Removal Tool (included

with Controller)

AS-0TBP-000

8 Toggle Switch Simulator for 24 VDC

Input Modules

AS-0SIM-011

195

Compact Accessories

A120 I/O Modules

A120 I/O Modules

The following information describes the A120 I/O modules that are available with the
Compact PLC family.
Some A120 I/O modules (DEP 211/214/215/217, DAP211/217, ADU204/211/214/
216, DAU204, VIC2xx, and MOT20x) require loadables (SW-IODR-001) for proper
operation if used with Modsoft and certain PLCs, such as the A984-1xx or the E98424x/251/255. However, separate loadables are not needed if used with Concept and
other PLCs, such as the E984-258/265/275/285. For more information, refer to the
A120 Series I/O Modules User Guide (890 USE 109 00, formerly GM-A984-IOS).
The following table describes the available A120 I/O modules.
Discrete Input
Modules

8 point 230 Vac

AS-BDEP-208

8 point 115 Vac

AS-BDEP-209

8 point 115 Vac

AS-BDEP-210*

8 point 115 Vac

AS-BDEP-211*

16 point 10 ... 60 Vdc

AS-BDEP-214*/254/254C

16 point 5Vdc

AS-BDEP-215*

16 point 24 Vdc (isolated)

AS-BDEP-216/256/256C

16 point 24 Vdc

AS-BDEP-217

16 point 155Vac

AS-BDEP-218*

16 point 24 Vdc (non-isolated)

AS-BDEO-216

16 point 24 Vdc Fast Response

AS-BDEP-220

16 point 110 Vdc

AS-BDEP-257*/257C

16 point 60 Vdc

AS-BDEP-296

16 point 48 Vdc

AS-BDEP-297

Discrete Output 4 point Relay

Modules
8 point Relay

196

AS-BDAP-204
AS-BDAP-208/258/258C

8 point 115 Vac

AS-BDAP-209

8 point 24-230 Vac

AS-BDAP-210*

16 point 24 Vdc (isolated)

AS-BDAP-216N

16 point 5-24 Vdc

AS-BDAP-217*

16 point 24-240Vac

AS-BDAP-218*

16 point 24 Vdc

AS-BDAO-216*

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Compact Accessories

Discrete
Combination
Modules

Analog Input
Modules

4 point 120 Vac in / 4 point 120 Vac out AS-BDAP-211*

8 point 24 Vdc in / 4 point Relay out

AS-BDAP-212/252/252C

8 point 24 Vdc in / 8 point 24 VDC/2 A

out

AS-BDAP-220/250/250C

8 point 24 Vdc in / 4 point relay 24 Vdc

out

AS-BDAP-252

8 point 110 Vdc in / 4 point relay 110

Vdc out

AS-BDAP-253/253C

8 point 60 Vdc in / 4 point relay 60 Vdc

out

AS-BDAP-292

4 channel +500 me, RTD

AS-BADU-204/254/254C

4 channel +10 V/+20 mA

AS-BADU-205

4 channel 12 bit

AS-BADU-206*/256/256C

4 channel 13 ... 15 bit, +5V, +10V, 0 ... **AS-BADU-210*

10V, 2 ... 10V, 0 ... 5V, 1 ... 5V +20mA,
0 ... 20mA, 4 ... 20mA,

Analog Output
Modules

Intelligent
Modules

8 channel 12 bit, RTD, TC, Vdc, mA

**AS-BADU-211*

8 channel 12 bit, RTD, TC, Vdc, mA

**AS-BADU-212*

8 channel 12 bit, RTD, Vdc, mA

**AS-BADU-214*

8 channel 15 bit, TC, Vdc

AS-BADU-216*

8/4 channel 16 bit, TC, RTD, +/100mV, 0 ... 4000Ohms

AS-BADU-257/257C*

2 channel +1 V, +10 V, +20 mA

AS-BDAU-202/252/252C

4 channel, 12 bit, RTD, TC, Vdc, mA

AS-BDAU-204*

8 channel, 12 bit

AS-BDAU-208*

1 channel High Speed Counter/

Positioning Module

AS-BZAE-201*

4 channel, 50 kHz High Speed Counter **AS-BZAE-204*

Module

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Encoder or Resolver/Encoder Motion

Module

AS-MOT-20X*

4- point High Speed Input Module

**AS-VIC-2XX*,**AS-VRC-2XX*,
**AS-CTR-2XX*

4- point Frequency and Speed

Measurement Input Module, 1 kHz

AS-FRQ-204

4- point Frequency and Speed

Measurement Input Module, 1 kHz
with Extended Temperature

AS-FRQ-254

197

Compact Accessories

Communication Interbus S Master

Interfaces
Interbus S Slave

Special
Modules

AS-BBKF-201
AS-BBKF-202

Interbus S Interface for A120 I/O

AS-BDEA-202

Profibus DP Slave for A120 I/O

AS-BDEA-203/253/253C

Empty module with terminals for

prewiring a slot

AS-BNUL-200

Connection multiplexer for <50 V, <6 A AS-BNUL-202

2 potentiometer, 1 meter ana log
simulator

AS-BSIM-203

16 point input simulator for DEP 216

Module

AS-BSIM-216

**Modules not supported in Concept 2.1 or higher. *Modules not supported by the PC-09841XX PLCs.

198

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Health Status

F
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information comprises a detailed description of the health status of the
Compact PLCs.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic
Checking Systems Health Status

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Page
200

Mainframe Status

202

I/O Module Health Status

206

Status Information

207

199

Health Status

Checking Systems Health Status

System Health
Status

The Compact Controllers maintain a table in memory that contains vital system
diagnostic information regarding the CPU, I/O, and communications. The following
information explains how Its contents are structured.
The following table lists the vital system diagnostic information that is kept in
memory.
Status Word

Content of Status Register

1 ... 11

Controller status information

12 ... 15

Health of A120 I/O modules

16 ... 181

Not used

182 ... 184

Global health and communications retry status

Each status word is 16 bits long, and the status information is conveyed by the
sense of the bits in each word. The illustrations in this map show how the status
information is presented in the status table.
The words in the status table can be accessed in ladder logic using the STAT
instruction. The STAT block displays the bit patterns of the status words in a table
of contiguous 4x registers, the values of which can then be seen in the panel
software.
Note: Although you can specify either a 0x or 4x register in the top node, we
recommend that you specify a 4x because of the excessive number of 0x registers
that would be required to manage the status information.
The register that you specify in the top node of the block is loaded with the current
word 1 bit values, and the number of registers that you specify in the bottom node
are loaded with bit values from the corresponding words in the status table.
For example, if you are interested only in accessing controller status information,
you could specify a register address of 40701 in the top node of the block and a
value of 11 in the bottom node; the bit values of the first 11 words in the status table
are loaded into registers 40701 ... 40711, respectively.
To load the whole status table, specify 184 in the bottom node of the instruction. If
you are not using expanded I/O, you need to specify only 40 in the bottom node to
receive all relevant status information.
Note: You do not have to use the whole status table (184 words).

200

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Health Status

STAT Block
Depiction

STAT is a two-high node instruction as the following conceptual depiction shows.

Instruction

Structure

Inputs

Nodes

Outputs

Function

Check CPU/
I/O Status

This is the block.

Top:
ON
access
es the
status
table

Top: First
word in the
system
status table
Bottom:
Size of the
status table

Top:
Operation
completed

Gets status data

from the status
table in system
memory and
displays it in user
registers

0x or 4x
STAT
K*

*K is an integer constant in the range of 1 ... 184

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

201

Health Status

Mainframe Status
Mainframe
Status Table of
Registers

The first 11 words of the table of registers contains mainframe status information.

Word 1
CPU Status

If the bit is set to "1", the condition is TRUE.

Note: Bits are mapped 1 ... 16. In all cases, Bit 1 represents the most significant
bit (MSB) in a word.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Not Used

Not Used
Battery Failed
Memory Protect OFF
Run Light OFF
Power ON
1=16-bit system
Single Sweep Delay Enabled
Constant Sweep Enabled

This table describes each bit.

Bit 6

Constant Sweep Enabled

1=Constant sweep, 0=not constant sweep

Bit 7

Single Sweep

1=Single sweep, 0=not single sweep, subject to

other conditions, i.e. no stop states

Bit 8

Small/Large nodes

1=small, 0=large

Bit 9

Power OK

1=on, 0=off

Bit 10

Run Light

1=off, 0=on

Bit 11

Memory Protect

1=off, 0=on

Bit 12

Battery OK

1=not OK, 0=OK

Word 2
Not Used

202

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Health Status

Word 3
Controller Status

If the bit is set to "1", the condition is TRUE.

1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Not Used

Single Sweeps

Exit dim awareness

Scan time has exceeded constant scan target
START command pending
First scan

This table describes the word 3 bit states.

Bit 1

First Scan

1=First scan happening, 0=not first scan

Bit 2

Start Command Pending

Used by peripheral port and power up routine

Bit 3

Constant Sweep Exceeded

This bit is set when constant sweep is enabled,

1=sweep time exceeded constant sweep target,
0=sweep time was less, so executive waited

Bit 4

Exiting Dim Awareness

1=Condition is true, 0=Condition is false

Bit 13-16

Single Sweep Trigger

When these bits are not 0 and single sweep is

enabled, execute a sweep. Allows bursts of up to
15 sweeps. These bits decrement at the end of
the sweep until 0.

Word 4
Not Used

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

203

Health Status

Word 5
CPU Stop State
Conditions

If the bit is set to "1", the condition is TRUE.

1

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Bad PLC Setup
Coil disabled
in RUN mode
Logic Checksum error
Invalid Node in ladder logic
Not Used
CPU Failure
Real time clock error
Watch Dog Timer has expired

No end of logic (EOL) (Bad Tcop)

State RAM test failed
No start-of-network (SON) at the start of a segment
Invalid segment scheduler
Illegal peripheral intervention
Dim awareness
XMEM Parity Error
Peripheral port stop

Word 6
Number of
Segments in
Program

Number of segments in current system. This word is confirmed during power up to

be the number of EOS (DOIO) nodes plus 1 (for the end of logic nodes), if untrue, a
stop code is set, causing the run light to be off.
1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Number of Segments in the Current

ladder Logic Program
Word 7
Address of the
End of Logic
Pointer

The EOL pointer in page F. This EOL pointer gives the word offset into page 0 where
the user logic ends. To find this pointer examine word 7. Word 7 gives the word
offset into page F where the EOL pointer may be found. The EOL pointer may be
displayed in hexadecimal, decimal or binary using Modsoft. Most applications use
hexadecimal.
1

2 3 4 5

6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Address of the End of Logic Pointer

204

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Health Status

Word 8
Memory Sizing

This word is used only with the A984-141/145, E984-241/245, and E984-251/255. It
provides user logic re-size value after optimization (this is the actual length of
available user logic). For all other models this word is zero (no optimization).
Note: This is not the RI/O time out constant as shown in the Modsoft status screen.

Word 9
Not Used
Word 10
Run/Load/Debug
Status

This word is used to speed up the performance of the controller.

1

3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Not
Used

Debug= 0 0
Run= 0 1
Load= 1 0
This table describes the Word 10 bit states.
Bit 15-16

Debug Mode

Coils may be disabled and power flow may be requested

Run Mode

Disable status of coils are ignored and no power flow request

allowed

Load Mode

Set during loading and set back to 0 or 1 when load is

completed. This enables skipping of plotting of SON table
during loading and thus speeds up the load process.

Word 11
Not Used

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

205

Health Status

I/O Module Health Status

Overview of the
I/O Module
Health Status

Words 12 ... 15 display the health of the A120 I/O modules in the four racks.
The following table shows the layout..
Word No.

Rack No.

Word 12

Rack 1

Word 13

Rack 2

Word 14

Rack 3

Word 15

Rack 4

Each word contains the health status of up to five A120 I/O modules. The most
significant (left-most) bit represents the health of the module in Slot 1 of the rack:
If the bit is set to "1", the condition is TRUE.
1

2 3 4

Slot 1
Slot 2

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Not Used

Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5
If a module is I/O Mapped and Active, the bit has a value of "1". If a modules is
inactive or not I/O Mapped, the bit has a value of "0".
Note: Slots 1 and 2 in Rack 1 (Word 12) are not used because they are reserved
for use by the controller itself.

206

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Health Status

Status Information
Structure of
Status
Information

Three words contain health and communication information on the installed I/O
modules.
If monitored with the Stat block, they are found in Words 182 through 184. This
means that, at a minimum, the length of the Stat block must be 184.

Words 16 ... 181

Not Used

Words 16 through 181 are not used.

Word 182
Health Status

Word 182 increments each time a module becomes bad. After a module becomes
bad, this counter does not increment again until the module becomes good and then
bad again.
If the bit is 1", then this condition is true or ON.
The following figure shows Word 182.
1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Not Used

Module Went
Unhealthy Counter Used

All modules healthy

Bit 1 is set if all modules are healthy. Bits 9 ... 16 are a counter that increments if a
module is unhealthy. It will roll over at a count of 255.
Word 183
I/O Error Counter

This error counter is similar to that for a good/bad module. This word, however,
increments every scan that a module remains in the bad state.

Word 184
PAB Bus Retry
Counter

Diagnostics are performed on the communications through the bus. This word
should normally be all zeros. If after 5 retires, a bus error is still detected, the
controller will stop and error code 10 will be displayed. An error rolls over while
running. If the retires are less than 5, no bus error is detected.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

207

Health Status

208

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

G
At a Glance
Introduction

The following information relates to troubleshooting and maintenance of the

Compact PLCs.

Whats in this
Chapter?

This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic
PLC Codes

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Page
210

LED Error Codes

211

Battery Maintenance

217

Conformally Coated Maintenance

218

Customer Service & Technical Assistance

219

209

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

PLC Codes
PLC Error Codes

A 984 PLC, the Compact contains a set of 17 error codes. If the PLC stops, the error
code(s) are displayed on your panel screen.
This table provides information about the seventeen Stopped PLC Error Codes of
the Compact Controller.
Stop Bits

Mnemonic

Description

0x7FFF

PCSICK

Controller unhealthy

0x8000

PCSTOPPED

Controller stopped

0x4000

BADTCOP

Bad I/O traffic cop table

0x2000

DIMAWAR

Controller in DIM AWARENESS state

0x1000

PORTIVENT

Bad port intervention

0x0800

BADSEGSCH

Bad segment scheduler

0x0400

SONNOTIST

Start of network (SON) did not start segment

0x0200

PDCHEKSUM

Bad power-down checksum

0x0100

NOEOLDOIO

No EOL detected; Bad Network

0x0080

WDTEXPIRE

Watchdog timer has expired

0x0040

RTCFAILED

Real time clock failure

0x0020

BADOXUSED

Bad coil used table

0x0010

PABCOMMERR

CPU to I/O Communication Failure

0x0008

NODETYPE

Illegal node type used

0x0004

ULCSUMERR

User logic checksum error

0x0002

DSCRDISAB

Discrete disable error

0x0001

BADCONFIG

Bad configuration table

Stopped error states of various controller nodes may be sent over the Modbus Plus
network using Modbus function 11 hex. Refer to the Modbus Plus Network Planning
and Installation Guide (890USE10000).
Note: Some errors may appear together, i.e. 8200. Refer to status word for exact
bit structure of stop code.

210

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

LED Error Codes

Flashing RUN
LED Error Codes
E984-258/265/
275/285

The following tables show the number of times that the Run LED program flashes
for each error type and the crash code for the error. (All codes are in hex).
Note: Crash codes are accessible while the exec is flashing.
This table lists the number of flashes indicating each specific Run LED error, the
code for the error, and a description of the error.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Number of Flashes

Code

Requested Kernel Mode

Continuous

0000

modbus cmd-buffer overflow

0201

modbus cmd-length is zero

0202

modbus abort command error

0203

run output active failed

0204

bad mbp response opcode

0205

mbp out of synchronization

0206

mbp invalid path

0207

page 0 not paragraph aligned

0208

bad receive communication state

0209

bad transmit communication state

020A

bad communication state trn_asc

020B

bad communication state trn_rtu

020C

bad communication state rcv_rtu

020D

bad communication state rcv_asc

020E

bad modbus state tmr0_evt

020F

bad modbus state trn-int

0210

bad modbus state rcv-int

0211

stack error in MB cmd hndlr

0212

host ifc opcode unknown

0213

host ifc diagnostic failed

0214

host addr xlat error

0215

bus grant not received

211

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Number of Flashes

Code

Requested Kernel Mode

0301

not master asic on cpu

0302

master config write bad

212

0303

lms bus DPM write failure

0304

plc asic loopback test asic/dpm

0305

plc asic BAD_DATA

0306

P.O.S.T BAD MPU ERROR

0401

BAD INTERRUPT

0402

ram error during sizing

0405

mbp bus interface error

0406

timeout waiting for mbp

0407

bad external uart hardware

0408

bad external uart interrupt

0501

bad RTC hardware

0601

ram address test error

0701

ram data test error

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Troubleshooting and Maintenance

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Number of Flashes

Code

Requested Kernel Mode

8001

bad executive checksum

8002

kernel prom checksum error

8003

flash prog /erase error

8004

unexpected executive return

8014

unexpected int1

8024

divide error

8034

debug exception

8044

breakpoint

8054

overflow

8064

bounds fault

8074

invalid opcode

8084

device not available

8094

double fault

80a4

invalid tss

80b4

segment not present

80c4

stack fault

80d4

general protection fault

80d4

page fault

80e4

floating point error

80f4

alignment fault

213

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

214

0202

modbus cmd-length is zero

0203

modbus abort command error

0204

run output active failed

0205

bad mbp response opcode

0206

mbp out of synchronization

0207

mbp invalid path

0208

page 0 not paragraph aligned

0209

bad receive communication state

020A

bad transmit communication state

020B

bad communication state trn_asc

020C

bad communication state trn_rtu

020D

bad communication state rcv_rtu

020E

bad communication state rcv_asc

020F

bad modbus state tmr0_evt

0210

bad modbus state trn-int

0211

bad modbus state rcv-int

0212

stack error in MB cmd hndlr

0213

host ifc opcode unknown

0214

host ifc diagnostic failed

0215

host addr xlat error

0301

bus grant not received

0302

not master asic on cpu

0303

master config write bad

0304

lms bus DPM write failure

0305

plc asic loopback test asic/dpm

0306

plc asic BAD_DATA

0401

P.O.S.T BAD MPU ERROR

0402

BAD INTERRUPT

0403

ram error during sizing

0402

mbp bus interface error

0405

timeout waiting for mbp

0406

bad external uart hardware

0407

bad external uart interrupt

0408

bad RTC hardware

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Troubleshooting and Maintenance

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

0501

ram address test error

0601

ram data test error

0701

bad executive checksum

8001

kernel prom checksum error

8002

flash prog /erase error

8003

unexpected executive return

8004

unexpected int1

8014

divide error

8024

debug exception

8034

breakpoint

8044

overflow

8054

bounds fault

8064

invalid opcode

8074

device not available

8084

double fault

8094

invalid tss

80a4

segment not present

80b4

stack fault

80c4

general protection fault

80d4

page fault

80e4

floating point error

80f4

alignment fault

215

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Modbus Plus
LEDs A984-145,
E984-245/255/
265/275/285

The MB Plus LED is a green indicator that shows the type of communication activity
on the Modbus Plus port of the controller. A specific flash pattern indicates the
nature of the current Modbus Plus communication activity:
The following table explains the flash patterns for the Modbus Plus LEDs.
LED Flash Pattern

Description

Six flashes per

second

The normal operating state for a Modbus Plus node. The node is
successfully receiving and passing the token. All nodes on the network
should be flashing this pattern.

One flash per

second

The node is offline immediately after power up, or after hearing a

message from a node with the same address. (Duplicate addressing is
not allowed.) In this state, the node monitors the network and builds a
table of active nodes and token-holding nodes. It remains in this state
for five seconds; then it attempts to go to its normal operating state.

Two flashes, then

OFF for two
seconds

The node is hearing the token being passed among other nodes, but it
never receives the token. Check the network link for an open or short
circuit, or for a defective termination.

Three flashes, then The node is not hearing other nodes. It periodically claims the token,
OFF for 1.7 seconds but it finds no other node to which to pass it. Check the network link for
an open or short circuit, or for a defective termination.
Four flashes, then
The node heard a valid message from another node, using the same
OFF for 1.4 seconds address as this node. The node remains offline in this state as long as
it continues to hear the duplicate address. If the duplicate address is
not heard for five seconds, the node changes to the pattern of one flash
every second.

216

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Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Battery Maintenance
Battery
Maintenance

The batteries are used to back up the RAM and to provide power to the clock.
You can access the batteries from the front of the Compact PLCs after you remove
the front panel of the DTA 200.
A new battery is needed when the battery low LED (red) comes ON. The LED
indicates the battery needs to be replaced but it has: a 14 day hold-up for A984-1xx,
E984-24x/251/255 PLCs, or a 10 day hold-up for E984-258/265/275/285 PLCs from
the initial indication. The minimum backup retention period is one-hundred days.
You should replace the battery every five years to assure its backup capacity.
Ensure the supply voltage is switched ON. Remove the DTA 200 front panel, battery
compartment cover, and the battery. Then insert the new battery (+ pole towards
you) and note the date.
CAUTION
Used batteries are hazardous refuse
Please properly dispose of used batteries. Never disassemble, shortcircuit or recharge Lithium batteries. There is the possibility of
supercharge (voltage reversal) if a battery is overheated by external
heat sources.
The following figure shows the proper placement of the battery.
1

Failure to observe this precaution can result in injury or equipment

damage.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

217

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Conformally Coated Maintenance

Maintaining
Conformally
Coated Products

218

Use the following information to perform periodic maintenance on any Modicon

conformally coated product. A 2 gram container of Nyogel ships with the conformal
coated PLCs.
l All electrical contacts (such as PCB gold edge contacts, field wiring connector
contacts, backplane connectors, and grounding pins), should receive a light
application of Nyogel 759G Contact Lubricant. A typical contact pair should have
an amount applied no greater in size than a sphere 1/16 inch in diameter.
l If a conformally coated product requires cleaning, the following products are
recommended:
de-ionized water, with or without mild detergent; MicroCare ProClean MCC-PRO;
or MicroCare MultiClean MCC-MLC;
l Nyogel can be ordered from Schneider Automation:
in a 1.0 gram tube (P/N 99-C759-000), or in a 2.0 ounce tube (P/N 99-C759-100)
l MicroCare ProClean is available from suppliers in a 12 ounce aerosol spray can
(P/N MCC-PRO); MicroCare MultiClean is available in a 10 ounce aerosol spray
can (P/N MCC-MLC).

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Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Customer Service & Technical Assistance

Customer
Service
Information

Schneider Automation telephone numbers are as follows:

l To call us from anywhere in North America except from within the state of
Massachusetts: 1-(800)-468-5342
l To call us from within Massachusetts or from outside North America: 1-(978)-9755001
l To call us in Seligenstadt, Germany: (49) 6182 81 2900, or fax us at (49) 6182 81
2492
Customer Service- When calling the Schneider Automation telephone number,
ask for service from the list below.
When calling the 800 number, you will get a recording asking you to enter a one
digit code for the type of service you want (listed below). However, this only works
with a "touch tone" phone. If using a dial phone, hang on and the operator will
intercept after a short pause.
The service categories- and extra digit code responses for push-button phones
are: 1-Technical support, 2-Service order administration, 3 -Modfax, 4 -Training/
information, 5 -General information other than above.
Note: MODFAX: For available hardware data sheets, application notes, and
software information. Recommended catalogue MC-FAX-DIR which is the master
of all available catalogues (only twelve pages) lists all catalogues available on the
MODFAX system.

Note: BBS (Schneider Automations Customer Service Bulletin Board): For

Modsoft updates, conversion utilities, hardware and software help, field service
bulletins, Modbus and Modbus Plus help, software revision levels, FLASH EXEC
updates for 984E controllers, and more. Parameters are up to 14.4k baud, no
parity, 8 data, 1 stop, phone 1-(978)-975-9779.

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

219

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Refer to the table for the correct bin files for your E984 Compact controller.
Model

Exec ID

Bin #

PC-E984-241

843

CPU_11.bin

PC-E984-245

84D

CPU_12.bin

PC-E984-251

844

CPU_31.bin

PC-E984-255

84C

CPU_32.bin

PC-E984-258

845

ctsxv200.bin

PC-E984-265

845

ctsxv200.bin

PC-E984-275

845

ctsxv200.bin

PC-E984-285

845

ctsxv200.bin

Note: Internet access to modfax documentation and .bin file flash exec updates,
as well as other Schneider Automation services and information may be found at
our Web site at www.modicon.com.

220

890 USE 108 00 August 2001

Index

Addressing
Modbus Plus, 93
Auxiliary memory cards, 39

FLASH RAM
Storage, 44

B
Bin numbers, 220
BXT 201 cable, 108
BXT 203, 111

C
Capacitive discharge terminal, 172
CPU status words
Diagnostics, 202
CTS/RTS communication delay
Features, 21

D
DTA 200 primary backplane, 104
DTA 201 secondary backplane, 104
DTA 202 secondary backplane, 104

I
I/O module health status
Diagnostics, 206

M
Modbus master
Slave network, 79
Modbus port A984 & E984-241/251
Pinouts, 70
Modbus port E984-258/265/275/285
Pinouts, 72

N
Network
Modbus communication, 79

O
Optimized mode
A984-1xx, E984-24x/251/255 only, 42

EEPROM
Data transfer, 40

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221

Index

P
PCMCIA
Storage, 45
PLC login password
Feature, 20

R
Rotary switches
E984-265/275/285, 84
RTU communication mode, 79

S
Secured data area
Features, 22
Shielding, 168
State RAM, 16
System capacity
All PLC models, 18

T
Time synchronization of the TOD
Features, 22

222

890 USE 108 00 August 2001