I am currently utilizing a Micro850 PLC in conjunction with a Panelview 800 HMI, programmed using Connected Components Workbench (CCW). Our goal is to allow the customer to schedule system startup at a specific day and time. While the Micro850 lacks a built-in Real-Time Clock (RTC), the Panelview 800 does have one. Is it possible to utilize the RTC on the HMI to transmit date and time information to the PLC? I have come across limited information online regarding the use of date and time functions in CCW. Despite the presence of RTC_Read and RTC_Set commands, the RTC_Read command returns a data type of RTC which I am unsure how to handle. I am unable to convert it to a date and time format, as functions like Any_to_date do not accept RTC data as input. Additionally, there is no direct conversion to RTC available, making it challenging to integrate user input with RTC data. Ideally, I would like the user to input a specific date and time through the HMI interface, which would then trigger an event when it matches the RTC data. However, I am facing difficulties in comparing user input with the output of the RTC_Read command. It seems there may be a missing step or feature that I am overlooking.
The RTC Data type consists of an array of 7 UINTs representing Year, Month, Day, Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Day of Week. By having the user input month, day, hour, and minutes as separate UINTs, I can easily compare them to the corresponding UINTs in the RTC Data type. However, is there a way to transfer the current date & time from the PV800 to the PLC without the use of an RTC plug-in module?
I have discovered a method to transfer the date and time data from the PV800's Real-Time Clock to the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) by utilizing Global Connections in the Tags section. This solution shows promise and could be the answer to our needs.
Looking for ideas to keep your PLC and HMI time in sync? A useful method is to utilize a UDFB from Rockwell that allows you to control a "BIT" using a scheduler. Pair this with a Maple Systems HMI's built-in RTC, which can be synchronized with NTP or Pool Time servers. Program your HMI to update its time every 6 hours and use a custom Macro to write Dint values to a RTC Datatype, ensuring your PLC time is accurate. By incorporating this approach with the Function Block provided, you can easily schedule events with precision. Give it a try!
I appreciate your suggestion regarding the UDFB and overall approach. I will explore their potential benefits. However, I am uncertain if the PanelView HMI can synchronize its time with a server. The UDFB seems to be a valuable tool that could enhance efficiency. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!
I have developed a basic version that is operational. The PanelView now displays the current date and time, with fields for the user to input a desired month, day, hour, and minutes for activation (followed by pressing a button to implement the scheduler). The PLC will initiate the system when the scheduler is activated and matches the user-input date and time values. The current setup could benefit from a more professional appearance by incorporating drop-down menus for selecting dates, rather than direct numerical input. Can drop-down menus be created on a PanelView in CCW? While I am familiar with creating lists, the current method displays the entire list at once, making it cumbersome for screens with multiple lists.
It sounds like you’re navigating a bit of a tricky situation with the Micro850 and Panelview 800, but it's definitely doable! One approach you could consider is to use the HMI to format the user input into a standard string format—something like "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"—and then store that as a tag in the PLC. If the RTC_Read command gives you the RTC data, you might need to split it up into its components (year, month, day, hour, minute, second) and convert those into a comparable string or numeric format in the PLC. Then, it's just a matter of comparing that formatted string with the user input to trigger your event. Also, check if you can store the HMI RTC data as a different tag type before comparing; that can sometimes make handling data types easier in CCW!
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Answer: - Yes, it is possible to utilize the RTC on the Panelview 800 HMI to transmit date and time information to a Micro850 PLC. This can allow for scheduling system startup at specific dates and times.
Answer: - Handling the RTC data type can be challenging, as there is no direct conversion to a date and time format available. Functions like Any_to_date do not accept RTC data as input. This may require additional steps or workarounds to integrate user input with RTC data effectively.
Answer: - Challenges may arise in comparing user input with RTC data due to the limitations in converting RTC data to a usable format for comparison. It is important to address any missing steps or features that could be causing difficulties in this process.
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