Communications advice

[sparkotronic]

Hi all, I've finally managed to get some S7 courses through my employer and to celebrate this he has treated me to a shiny new laptop! My question is: what is the best way to communicate between the laptop and PLC/HMI? Is a PC card like the CP5512-MPI the best option? Are there any other types? Also is there one that will do both S7 and S5 Thanks in advance, Colin Edited August 30, 2007 by sparkotronic

[504bloke]

It depends on which S7 you are talking to For instance if its the 315 2dp/pn then all you need is an ethernet cable

[sparkotronic]

Bearing in mind that I'm a beginner! All our systems as far as I can tell are linked via Profi/MPI as most are 314's 1 machine has an ethernet card on it, but it is still accesable via Profi/MPI. Previously we have used Siemens PG's, but someone(Tha' boss) has made the decision to go with laptops.

[dekor]

dear friend, as you said earlier time, you want to communicate also with S5 controllers. For that option your laptop must have a RS 232 port (not USB to RS232 converter) plus RS232 to TTY converter. All the best. dekor.

[sparkotronic]

I wish I knew what you were talking about! Maybe after my course, I will!

[JesperMP]

So you need to be able to go online via MPI (because of the 314 CPUs) Then you can use a PC adapter USB. It is reasonably cheap The CP5512 is faster and better, but it wont make a big difference with the MPI speed at 187.5k for the 314 CPUs. There are also 3rd part suppliers: www.deltalogic.de http://www.ibhsoftec-sps.de/ http://www.mhj-software.de/ They have adapters for both USB and Ethernet to MPI/DP. The same 3rd party suppliers also have USB to TTY adapters for the S5.

[sparkotronic]

Thanks JesperMP The IBH Link S7 and the IBH Link S5 on the ibhsoftec site looks like they will do the job. cheers, Colin