Hello! I am currently working with a client who has a S7300 system manufactured around 2013. They have approximately 25 inverters, 3 DP to DP converters, and 5 IM153 remote I/O units all connected on a Profibus network. The client is interested in upgrading the inverter communications first, followed by transitioning to Profinet next year. The need to upgrade the inverter communications is primarily because the existing Profibus cards are becoming obsolete. Currently, the site utilizes a CP343 unit to interface with a SCADA server. I am considering using this unit as a Profinet connection to the inverters. The CP343 unit has 2 ports, with one currently unused. I would like to connect directly from the CP343 to a single inverter initially, and then expand to using an unmanaged switch to connect to all the inverters and I/O units in the system. The inverters with Profinet cards have 2 ports, allowing for a daisy chain connection. I would appreciate any advice on this transition, as I have experience with Profinet on S7 1500's and S7 1200's but not on an older S7 300 system. Thank you for any assistance you can provide!
In my opinion, it would be beneficial to upgrade the older 300 CPU to a 31x-2 DP/PN version and connect the new Profinet drives to the PN port of the CPU. This allows for the DP network to remain while gradually transitioning DP devices to the PN port. It's important to note that the CP343 (specific models serve as Profinet I/O controllers) requires specific send and receive blocks for IO control. It is likely that drive blocks will need to be reconfigured when using a CP343, based on my own experience. I look forward to hearing other perspectives on this matter.
Ensure that the CP343 model you choose is capable of functioning as a profinet controller to avoid any compatibility issues. If the CP343-300 model features an integrated PN interface, profinet will operate smoothly. If not, additional steps will be needed to establish communication between the CPU and CP for reading/writing IO. While this process may require some extra effort, data transfer between the devices can introduce potential errors, as the CP may operate on its own run/stop functionality. Additionally, the S7-300 backplane speed is notably slower than an ethernet connection, potentially leading to unexpected delays. The configuration steps for setting up a PN network remain consistent whether working with the S7-300 or S7-1500. By assigning device names, downloading the PLC program, and ensuring compatibility, seamless communication should be established between the devices.
In my opinion, it would be beneficial to upgrade from the older 300 CPU to a 31x-2 DP/PN version. By connecting the new Profinet drives to the PN port of the CPU, the existing DP network can remain in place while gradually transitioning DP devices to the PN port as well. Upgrading to a PN CPU can greatly streamline operations, especially when dealing with servos.
Hello. I concur with the endorsement from JRW and mk42. I possess a CP343, which serves as a unique PROFINET master from the early stages of its development. I predominantly utilize it for programming purposes. However, I have encountered issues with compatibility and functionality when connecting it with various PROFINET IO devices. Another option to consider is integrating a Hilscher product that acts as a PROFIBUS slave and PROFINET IO master. By doing so, your S7-300 will recognize an additional PROFIBUS DP slave, and the 50-DP-EN will facilitate the PROFINET IO communication. This could potentially provide a cost-effective alternative to acquiring a 31x-2 DP/PN module. Best of luck with your project. Check out Hilscher's NT 50-DP-EN for more information.
As the S7-300 series is being phased out, upgrading to a CPU 3xx DP/PN version is not recommended. It is advisable to transition to a more advanced S7-1500 based system for enhanced performance and reliability.
That's quite a task you have at hand. I have had experience working with an S7 300 system. Good thing is that regardless of the specific controller in the S7 series, the fundamental concepts of Profinet remain the same. So your experience with S7 1500s and S7 1200s should help. Utilizing the vacant port on CP343 and gradually adding inverters through an unmanaged switch sounds like a smart strategy for transition. For the daisy chain connection on each inverter, just ensure that the termination is set correctly to avoid communication mishaps. Sometimes the initial configuration might be tricky but once you have it set, the subsequent addition of devices becomes fairly straightforward. Looking forward to hearing about your progress. Good luck!
Your approach sounds solid, however, it might be helpful to use a Profinet IO-Controller with the SCADA server, like the CP343-1 you have, to establish a solid connection with other devices. Keep in mind, though, the speed constraints of CP343-1 may not handle all the traffic if the system scales up. While daisy-chaining with Profinet cards is great for reducing cabling and complexity, make sure redundancy is considered if the network is critical to your operation. The S7 300 system should handle this transition well, but do check for firmware updates as they might be required for some functionalities. Also, consider a managed switch if your client might expand further or require sophisticated network management in the future. Good luck with your project!
It sounds like an exciting upgrade project! Since you already have experience with Profinet on newer systems, you'll likely find that the transition on the S7-300 can be similar in concept, even if the hardware interfaces differ. Start by ensuring your CP343 unit is properly configured for Profinet – you'll need to set it up as a Profinet controller. For that single inverter connection, go ahead and test communication first before expanding to the unmanaged switch. Once you're comfortable with that initial setup, daisy chaining the inverters sounds like a solid approach. Just be mindful of the network topology to ensure efficiency and keep an eye on network traffic as you bring more devices online. Good luck with the integration!
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Answer: - The need to upgrade the inverter communications is primarily due to the existing Profibus cards becoming obsolete.
Answer: - The CP343 unit can be used as a Profinet connection to the inverters by utilizing its 2 ports, with one currently unused.
Answer: - Yes, the CP343 unit can be connected directly to a single inverter initially and then expanded to connect to all the inverters and I/O units in the system using an unmanaged switch.
Answer: - The inverters with Profinet cards have 2 ports, which allows for a daisy chain connection to facilitate communication within the network.
Answer: - Yes, advice can be provided on transitioning to Profinet on an
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