Connect to a Modbus Device (Tutorial)

Create Device Channel

1. Navigate to Devices → Channels
2. Add new channel:
   • Name: ModbusChannel
   • Protocol: Modbus Master
   • Settings:
     • Interface: TCP/IP
     • Port: 502
     • Timeout: 3000ms

Add Device Node

1. Go to Devices → Nodes
2. Create node:
   • Name: PLC1
   • Channel: ModbusChannel
   • Station: IP Address (use 127.0.0.1 for simulator)
   • Device ID: 1

Create Device Points

1. Navigate to Devices → Points
2. Add points:

Digital Input:

• Name: PLC1_DI_001
• Node: PLC1
• Address: 10001 (Modbus coil)
• Data Type: Digital

Analog Input:

• Name: PLC1_AI_001
• Node: PLC1
• Address: 30001 (Modbus input register)
• Data Type: Integer
• Scaling: Enable if needed

Step 4: Map to Tags

Method 1 - Direct Mapping:

1. Go to Unified Namespace → Tags
2. Select existing tag
3. In Device column, select: PLC1_AI_001

Method 2 - Auto-create Tags:

1. In Devices → Points
2. Select points
3. Right-click → Create Tags
4. Tags created with same names

Step 5: Test Communication

1. Start Runtime (F5)
2. Open Devices → Monitor
3. Check status:
   • Green = Connected
   • Red = Error
   • Yellow = Timeout

Troubleshooting

Using Device Simulator

For testing without real hardware:

1. Devices → Tools → Simulator
2. Select protocol matching your channel
3. Start simulator
4. Values update automatically

Next Steps

• [Connect to a PLC] - Specific PLC brands
• [Define Alarms] - Alarm on device values
• [Historian] - Log device data

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