Continuing our series, we will now look at timers and counters and how they are used in the Click PLC. Previously we have discussed:
System Hardware – Video
Installing the Software – Video
Establish Communication – Video
Numbering System and Addressing – Video
The programming software and manuals can be downloaded from the Automation Direct website free of charge.
You can use the CLICK programming software to check the I/O configuration that the PLC is recognizing:. Connect the PLC to a computer running the CLICK programming software. From the software menus, connect the software to the PLC by selecting PLC and Connect. From the software menus, select Setup and System Configuration. See the CLICK PLC Programming Software Installation Manual for help with installing the software on your PC. Also see the CLICK PLC Hardware User Manual. The chapter 1 of the Hardware User Manual features a step-by-step instruction for the first time CLICK PLC users. After installing the CLICK Programming Software, C0-PGMSW, choose one of three methods to launch the software. Double click the desktop CLICK icon or, from the PC’s Start menu, slide the mouse pointer through the menus (Start All Programs AutomationDirect CLICK Ver 2.50 CLICK Programming Software) and click the CLICK Programming Software. CLICK PLC Instruction Set Ladder Symbol Title Type Description Normally Open Contact Bit Instruction The Normally Open Contact mimics the behavior of a physical contact and changes in response to the status of a Bit Memory Address. The Normally Open Contact is ON when the related bit is ON. Normally Closed Contact is ON when Normally Closed. Previously we discussed the Click PLC System Hardware - Video. Today we will be installing the free software required to program the PLC. This includes the actual program and communication drivers.
Click PLC TIMERS
The Click PLC can have 500 unique timers in the program. (T1 to T500) There is only one timer (TMR) instruction in the PLC, but you can adapt it to handle any timing application that you may need.
Timer Number – This is a number from T1 to T500 to specify the timer.
Set Point – This is an integer (16 Bit) that represents the set point of the timer. The values are from 1 to 9999. This can also be a memory location so that the timer set value can change during program execution.
Unit – This can be set for milliseconds (ms), seconds (sec), minutes (min), hours (hour) or days (day).
Current Value – This is the location in which you can see use the current value. It is automatically assigned by the timer number. Example: T1 = TD1, T2 = TD2, etc.
Delay Setting – The delay setting is used to determine if you would like an ON Delay timer or an OFF Delay timer. You will see in the diagram above the timing chart is displayed to show you the difference.
Current Value Option – This is used to determine if the timer will be reset with the enabling rung or it will require a separate reset rung.
Applications that use timers always start with a timing chart. This is the secret to using timers in your programs. Additional information on timers can be found at the following post. The Secret Of Using Timers
Timers in the Click PLC by default are not memory retentive. However, this can be changed. See Memory Retentive heading below.
The Click PLC can come with a real time clock. To set the clock in the PLC to match the PC (computer), call up the following Calendar/Clock Setup window. When online select the following from the top menu. PLC | Calendar/Clock Setup
You will notice that it will display both the date and time in the PLC as well as the computer. Under setting, you can manually enter a date and time or select adjust to PC Clock. Then hit the Write to PLC button at the bottom of the window. Your date and time will now be synced with the PLC.
The real-time clock is located in the SD area of memory in the PLC. Use the Address Picker to display the real-time clock from SD19 to SD26.
Additional Information on the real-time clock of the Click PLC can be found here:
Real-Time Clock (RTC) – Video
Watch on YouTube: Click PLC Timers
Click PLC COUNTERS
The Click PLC can have 250 unique counters in the program. (CT1 to CT250) There is only one counter (CNT) instruction in the PLC, but you can adapt it to handle any counting application that you may need.
Counter Number – This is a number from CT1 to CT250 to specify the counter.
Set Point – This is an integer (16 Bit) or double integer that represents the set point of the counter. The values are from 1 to 9999 for and integer and 1 to 999999999 for a double integer. This can also be a memory location (I or I2) so that the counter set value can change during program execution.
Current Value – This is the location in which you can see use the current value. It is automatically assigned by the counter number. Example: CT1 = CTD1, CT2 = CTD2, etc.
Completion Bit – This is the bit that will turn on when the counter has completed. It is set automatically by the software and is the same as the counter number.
Count Type – This can be one of the three types of counter. Count UP – Will increment up to the set point. Count Down – Will decrement down from the set point to zero. Count Up & Down – Will increment or decrement the current count value. The output will turn on when the set value is reached.
Note: All of the counters will have a reset input. This will reset the current value to zero for the Count Up and Count Up & Down modes. The Count Down will reset the current value to the set value.
Applications that use counters always start with a timing chart. This is the secret to using counters in your programs. Additional information on counters can be found at the following post. The Secret Of Using Counters
Memory Retentive
Memory retentive means that when power is removed from the PLC or it switches from run to stop mode, the current value is not lost. (Reset) The default for timers is non-memory retentive. The counters are memory retentive. In the Click PLC we can choose this setting along with the initial (Reset) values.
Next time we will look at compare and math instructions.
Watch on YouTube : Click PLC Counters
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry
If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.
To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.
Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.
The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.
Firmware is usually PLC operating system code that is written into a read only memory. The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a PC (personal computer) is a good example of firmware. It provides the low level interface between the hardware and software. The Click PLC firmware comes with the programming software.
https://support.automationdirect.com/products/clickplcs.html
We will be updating our firmware of our Click PLC from 2.10 to 2.30. Let’s get started!
Previously in this series we have discussed:
System Hardware – Video
Installing the Software – Video
Establish Communication – Video
Numbering System and Addressing – Video
Timers and Counters
– Counter Video
– Timer Video
Compare and Math Instructions – Video
Program Control Instructions – Video
Shift Register – Video
Drum Instruction – Video
Send and Receive Instructions – Video
AdvancedHMI Communiation – Video
Create an Analog Voltage Input Tester for a PLC – Video
Wiring Testing Analog PLC Input Click – Video
Modbus RTU Click PLC Master to BRX PLC Slave Communication – Video
The programming software and manuals can be downloaded from the Automation Direct website free of charge.
Click Plc Software Download
Connect to the Click PLC
When we first start the click plc software we are given an option to connect to PLC. Select this option.
We are connecting through the Ethernet port of the Click PLC. Select connect.
A warning message is displayed if the program in the software and PLC do not match. We will read the project from the PLC. Select OK.
Click Plc Software
Update Firmware
Click Plc software, free download
We are now online with the PLC. Call up the ‘Update Firmware’ by selecting from the main menu | PLC | Update Firmware… You can also get to this selection by using the PLC tab under the Navigation Menu. Select Update Firmware. See figure above.
Our update firmware window will now be displayed. You will see the current firmware available in the software and the current firmware version in the PLC. Hitting refresh will read the version in the PLC again. We will be updating from version 2.10 to 2.30.
Hitting the View Firmware History…
This will show you the new features of the firmware that we will be installing. Hit Close to close the firmware history window.
Hit Update on our Update Firmware window.
Updating the firmware must be done in stop mode of the PLC. Switch the mode switch and then press Yes.
Note: Our program that we have saved previously will have to be downloaded to the PLC after our firmware update has been completed. This will erase the program in the PLC.
Our update will now start.
A CLICK Programming Software window will indicate that the firmware update was successful. Hit OK.
Verify the Firmware Update
Call the Update Firmware window again.
Our PLC now has been updated to the newest version.
Download Program
Download the program back into the Click PLC.
We have now successfully updated our click PLC firmware.
Watch the video below to see the Click PLC firmware get updated.
Click PLC Support Links
The Click PLC can be programmed using free Click programming software from Automation Direct. Here is a link to the software.
https://support.automationdirect.com/products/clickplcs.html
The following links will help you to install the software and establish communication.
https://accautomation.ca/click-plc-installing-the-software/
https://accautomation.ca/click-plc-establish-communication/
The entire Click PLC series can be found at the following URL:
https://accautomation.ca/series/click-plc/
Watch on YouTube : Click PLC – Update Firmware
If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry
If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.
To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.
Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.
The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.