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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haidar.hussein Rank: 262

Asked 3 years ago

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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.

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by erik AKS expert

Rank: 29 on 5/11/2016 11:22:08 PM | Like (0) | Report

intresting, but the link dosen't work for me
/Erik

by erik AKS expert

Rank: 29 on 5/11/2016 11:28:42 PM | Like (0) | Report

but i found "3BUA002606" in the library

by haidar.hussein Rank: 262 on 5/12/2016 1:07:08 AM | Like (0) | Report

Hi Ingo, Thanks for the reply. My query was that I have an Allen Bradely PLC that I want to integrate with my 800xA System via either PLC Connect or 3rd Party OPC Server. The Read/Write command would be operated from the 800xA system, there are no ABB controllers involved for the scope. It would be really helpful if you could guide as to how to connect to the Allen Bradely PLC via the PLC Connect utility directly?

by Ingo AKS expert

Rank: 34 on 5/12/2016 3:26:46 PM | Like (0) | Report

OK No worries. You'll need the AB OPC server. You can load it anywhere but for small systems you could load on an 800xA CS and with testing this should prove to be OK. If the OPC server is on another node then you'll have to setup DCOM on both nodes to get the OPC layers to function. Once this is done you should be able to "point" the OPC DA service to the OPC server you wish to get data from (see 800xA PLC connect manual). Then you have to organise your data types (BDM helps here) and get your system configured. This will make you appreciate the beauty of ABB connects. In your case you'll need develop types for making your Faceplates, controls and other associated views. You can use the generic OPC Control Connection if you like, but it is not the same and more rudimentary then PLC connect, which enforces structure.

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Ingo

Rank: 34

Answered 3 years ago

Source: https://library.e.abb.com/private/6a1...

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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.

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kmk691

Rank: 17

Answered 3 years ago

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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MCordero Rank: 148

Answered 3 years ago

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PLC Connect configuration with AB PLC?

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