PLC Connect configuration with AB PLC?
I have extensive working experience with the ABB 800xA 5.1 System, but was recently required to provide read/write access to a 3rd Party PLC (AB). I have read up on 2 possible methods to tackle this problem; Either Use PLC Connect or configure an OPC mirror with a 3rd party OPC Server (Kepware etc).
The problem I am facing is that there seems to be no documentation to configure the PLC Connect which describes the way to integrate data from the PLC.
Would an intermediate OPC Server( Kepware etc) still be required or can we pick the data from the PLC directly with the use of PLC Connect?
Is there any manaul or App that guides through the configuration procedure for this particular problem using PLC Connect?
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I think there needs to be be some clarity here. I will make the following assumptions as it is not clear your intentions. You are trying to get data from an AC800M controller ("ABB 800xA 5.1 System") to a 3rd party PLC. You wish to use OPC as the interface. OK then:
Effectively you have 2 OPC servers: 1 for the AC800M and one for the 3rd Party PLC. In order to have two OPC server "communicate" you need to have a OPC Gateway like the ABB Datalink OPC software. Datalink is fully redundant and has the ability to "map" points between the two HW platforms in a nice way, all via OPC. Effectively it is a dual headed OPC cleint, that can "bridge" between two OPC server directly. As it has been tested with 800xA (and other softwer) and it has a small footprint, it should suit your application well. There are 3rd party alternatives but I'm not aware of any "free" ones.
Answers
I have worked on Kepware and PLC connect i would recommend PLC connect.
Kepware has redundancy problems, PLC connect works really good.
Please refer to 3BSE035041-510_en_System_800xA_5.1_PLC_Connect_Configuration for more information on how to configure PLC Connect.
PLC Connect allows you to create objects to get the same look and feel with 3rd party PLCs as for embedded ABB Controllers.
The information from the connected unit can be treated in the same way as information from other 800xA System connectivities
It includes built-in drivers like Modbus RTU or Comli but in case you require a different communication protocol you will require the OPC Server for your PLC. PLC Connect includes the OPC DA Client to communicate with that OPC Server
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