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Fixing Time Loss Issue in FactoryTalk ME PanelView with RsLogix 5000 Clock Update Tool

Question:

Greetings! I am currently facing an issue with the TimeDateDisplay feature in FactoryTalk ME, as the PanelView is experiencing random time loss on Window CE. To address this, I have opted to utilize the Time and Date data stored within the PLC5 (S files) and leverage the RsLogix 5000 Clock Update Tool, which has proven to be effective. However, I have encountered a challenge with the data format, as the Month and day are represented as integers (e.g. "8" for August). How can I set up the expression editor to display the month as its corresponding name (e.g. "August") in the string display object? Please refer to the attached screenshot. I intend to create a nested if statement for all 12 months and days of the week to resolve this issue.

Top Replies

Have you noticed that the PanelView is experiencing issues with its clock, such as resetting to incorrect dates or jumping ahead by a century? I'm interested in learning more about what you mean by the system time being "lost." The PanelView Plus relies on a global connection for syncing its time with the controller, but this feature is often misused. The programming language used for PanelView Plus expressions lacks certain features like "return" statements or semicolons, which can lead to errors. For example, an IF statement needs to have both a THEN and an ELSE clause to handle the True and False outcomes. One common mistake is not providing a value for the ELSE clause, resulting in errors like missing values. Instead of using a CASE...OF instruction, FactoryTalk View Machine Edition does not support VBA or VBScript for more advanced programming.

Ken Roach inquired about the PanelView losing its system time, whether it resets to earlier years or jumps ahead. The PanelView Plus relies on a global connection to sync time from the controller, but it is often misused. The PV+ expressions lack standard syntax rules, such as "return" or semicolons. An IF statement needs both THEN and ELSE clauses to define its outcomes accurately. The absence of a value, even a null string, can lead to errors in code execution. Using a CASE...OF instruction would be beneficial, but FTView ME lacks support for VBA or VBScript. Thank you, Ken, for your input. This particular PanelView is set to 2023, with the global connection transmitting remote time to a file location in PLC5 for computing. Instead of relying on the global connection, using the S files time and date updated by the RS Logix 5000 clock tool could be a more efficient approach.

Thank you for providing additional detail and context! I would like to address the issue of misusing PV+ global connections, which occurs when both the PV → PLC time register writes and the PLC → PV time register reads (along with the Update trigger) are inadvertently used simultaneously. This can result in introducing a delay into the clock, leading to what appears to be significant drift. It is important to remember that while wearing one watch allows you to know the time, wearing two watches can create confusion and uncertainty.

Having two Rolex watches is never a problem!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. Question: What is the issue being faced with the TimeDateDisplay feature in FactoryTalk ME PanelView?

Answer: Answer: The PanelView is experiencing random time loss on Window CE.

FAQ: 2. Question: How is the issue of time loss being addressed in the discussion thread?

Answer: Answer: The user is utilizing the Time and Date data stored within the PLC5 (S files) and leveraging the RsLogix 5000 Clock Update Tool.

FAQ: 3. Question: What challenge has been encountered with the data format when using the Clock Update Tool?

Answer: Answer: The Month and day are represented as integers (e.g. "8" for August) instead of their corresponding names.

FAQ: 4. Question: How can one set up the expression editor to display the month as its corresponding name in the string display object?

Answer: Answer: The user intends to create a nested if statement for all 12 months and days of the week to resolve this issue.

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