Our boiler control system is powered by an A-B PLC with an A-B Panel View Plus 7 interface located on the local control panel next to the noisy boiler. Is it possible to connect a second Panel View Plus 7 for remote viewing and control from a separate control room? If yes, what steps should be taken to achieve this?
The PanelView Plus is equipped with an Ethernet port, making it compatible with other devices using Ethernet such as PLCs. This allows for easy connectivity to remote locations with just the necessary cabling.
You can activate the "VNC" feature on your PanelView Plus for remote viewing of terminal screens from a regular computer in a control room. Typically, A-B controllers can easily connect to multiple PanelView Plus terminals. It is important to exercise caution when dealing with boiler control systems and seek advice from the OEM and plant management regarding any direct control concerns.
Operaghost mentioned that the PanelView Plus is equipped with an Ethernet port. If both the current PanelView and PLC are utilizing Ethernet, then only additional cabling to the remote site would be necessary. Thank you, Operaghost, for the advice. I will give it a shot.
Ken Roach mentioned that your PanelView Plus may support the option to enable "VNC" for remote networked monitoring of terminal screens from a standard computer in a control room. Most Allen Bradley controllers can easily connect to multiple PanelView Plus terminals. It is important to exercise caution when dealing with a boiler control system and to seek advice from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and plant management regarding any line-of-sight control concerns. So, it seems we may not need to invest in another Panel View. Connecting an ordinary PC monitor to the current Panel View should suffice for remote surveillance.
The remote viewer feature is initially turned off as a default setting. To activate it, you need to access the current panel, close the runtime, and then enable the remote viewing function. It may be necessary to restart the panel after enabling this feature, although I am unsure as it has been some time since I last did this task. All you need is a VNC viewer installed on your PC. I recommend using TightVNC for optimal performance.Download TightVNCTightVNC - Reliable VNC-Compatible Remote Desktop Softwarewww.tightvnc.com
Absolutely, you can certainly install an additional Panel View Plus 7 in a separate control room for remote viewing and control. You'll need to set up communication between the two Panel Views and the PLC. It's typically done over Ethernet. You'll want to ensure that the new Panel View is configured with the same PLC tags and settings as the original one for accurate monitoring and control. Also, don't forget to ensure you have the necessary approvals and that safety norms are being followed, as remote control can entail its own risks. It might make sense to engage with an automation professional to have this done properly.
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Answer: 1. Can I add a second Panel View Plus 7 for remote boiler control? - Yes, it is possible to connect a second Panel View Plus 7 for remote viewing and control from a separate control room.
Answer: - The boiler control system is powered by an A-B (Allen-Bradley) PLC.
Answer: - The original Panel View Plus 7 interface is located on the local control panel next to the noisy boiler.
Answer: - The specific steps required to connect a second Panel View Plus 7 for remote control will vary depending on the setup and network configuration. Typically, it involves setting up communication protocols, network connections, and programming the new interface for remote access.
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