Allen-Bradley
An Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP connection reads tags from a Logix, MicroLogix, Micro800, SLC 500 or PLC-5 controller. The application has been verified against ControlLogix and CompactLogix. See Compatibility for the tested hardware.
Connection
Open Connections, choose Add connection and set the source to Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP. The fields that every source shares are on the Connections page.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Gateway IP | This is the address of the PLC or of its EtherNet/IP module. |
| CIP path | This is the path from the module to the controller. It is 1,0 for a controller in slot 0 of the backplane, and 1,2 for slot 2. Leave it empty for controllers with no backplane, such as the Micro800. |
| PLC type | ControlLogix is the default. Choose the family that matches your controller. |
Controller families
The family sets how tags are addressed and whether the controller can be browsed.
| Family | Address | Browsing |
|---|---|---|
| ControlLogix, CompactLogix | The controller tag name. Program-scoped tags take Program:Name. in front. | Yes |
| Micro800 | The global variable name. The CIP path is empty. | No |
| MicroLogix, SLC 500, PLC-5 | The data-table address, such as N7:0. | No |
Browsing
Open Tag library and choose Browse next to the connection. The browser lists the controller-scoped tags and the tags of every program.
- Filter by name or by scope.
- Tick supported only to hide types that RAVidEn cannot read.
- Open a structure to pick individual members. An array member is added as its first element,
[0]. Change the index in the tag's address for the others.
Choose Add on each tag you want. Browsing writes the address for you, including the Program:Name. prefix.
Addresses by hand
Choose Add tag and enter the address as the table above describes. Set the data type to the controller's type: BOOL is bool, SINT, INT, DINT and LINT are the integer sizes, REAL is real, LREAL is double, and STRING is string. A tag whose type does not match reads with a bad quality. See Tags for the other tag settings.
Polling
One poll reads every used tag on the connection. The poll interval and the number of used tags together set the load on the controller and on the camera. See Performance for how polling shows up in the camera's CPU use.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| error in the Connections row | The gateway IP and the CIP path. A controller in another slot needs its slot number. A Micro800 needs an empty path. |
Every value on the connection shows a ! | The connection state and the timeout. A timeout that is too short for the network fails every read. |
| One tag reads with a bad quality while the rest work | The address and the data type. Program-scoped tags need Program:Name. in front. |
| Browse failed | The PLC type. Browsing works on Logix controllers only. Other families take addresses by hand. |