Modbus

There is a five-step procedure required in order to enable the PowerLogic ADVC Controller to communicate with a SCADA master station using the Modbus protocol:

Check that Modbus is available.
Select a communications port for Modbus.
Configure the communications settings for the selected port.
Assign the selected port to Modbus.
Configure the Modus settings.

Step 1 - Check that Modbus is Available

The Modbus communications protocol is included in all PowerLogic ADVC Controller firmware releases but before it can be configured or assigned to a communications port it may need to be made available through Feature Selection in WSOS at:

Display > Configuration > Feature Selection > Communications

If Modbus is required to run on an Ethernet port, TCP/IP must also be made available.

Modbus can also be made available via the operator interface.

Step 2 - Select a Communications Port

The PowerLogic ADVC Controller Range has several communications ports that can be connected to RS232, RS485, Ethernet, or FSK devices for the transmission of Modbus messages.

On the PowerLogic ADVC Controller, Modbus can run on the following ports:

LAN 1 or 2 (TCP/IP must be available)
Modem
IOEX/WSOS
USB 1,2 3(if USB to Serial converters are fitted)

NOTE: Serial ports are only available for Modbus if they are not being used for another purpose for example, WSOS or IOEX.

Step 3 - Port Configuration

Once the port that Modbus is to run on has been selected, that port must be configured to suit the application and hardware being used.

The chosen port can be selected and configured in WSOS on the Port Configuration page.

Open this page by going to:

Display > Switchgear Communications > Ports > Port Configuration

Open this page and choose the tab for the selected port.

Figure 93
WSOS Port Configuration (Modem) Page

The above figure shows the Port Configuration page for an PowerLogic ADVC Controller with the Modem port tab selected.

An example of a setting required to be compatible with the connected radio/modem would be the Baud Rate which may need to be changed from its default value of 115200.

Step 4 - Assign the Selected Port to Modbus

The Modbus port can be selected on the Modbus Communications Configuration page in WSOS.

This page can be opened in WSOS by going to:

Display > Switchgear Communications > Protocols > Modbus > Modbus Communications Configuration.

Figure 94
Port Selection on the Modbus Communications Configuration Page

Once the Switchgear Port has been selected, the Configure button to its right becomes active and can be used to open the configuration page for that port.

The Switchgear Port for Modbus can also be selected on the operator interface.

Step 5 - Configure the Modbus Settings

Configuring Modbus may only require that a unique RTU address be assigned to each device.

This can be done in WSOS on the Modbus Communications Configuration page when the Switchgear Port was assigned.

If Modbus is running on an Ethernet port, Modbus IP Networking may need to be configured.

Modbus IP networking can be configured in WSOS by going to:

Display>Switchgear Communications>Protocols>Modbus>Modbus IP Networking

Figure 95
Modbus IP Networking Configuration settings

Modbus IP networking can also be configured on the operator interface. For more details on the Modbus Communications Protocol implementation on the PowerLogic ADVC Controller, refer to ADC01-DOC-357.