ECL MODBUS OPC

Instructions

DH-SMT/DK VI.KT.A1.02 © Danfoss 09/2006

Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
1.1 Prior to installation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................4

2. How to install the program 4

3. Navigation in the Configurator 5
4. How to get started 5
4.1 Network scan.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Device scan ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
4.3 Device and tag names ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
4.4 Conversions ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
4.5 Third party products ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................9

5. Installation and technical information 9

6. Troubleshooting 10

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Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

1. Introduction
This instruction covers the ECL MODBUS OPC, i.e. the ECL MODBUS Configurator and the ECL MODBUS OPC Server.

The ECL MODBUS OPC Server uses the OPC Data Access Specification version 2.0.

The ECL MODBUS OPC Configurator and Server can communicate with ECL Comfort controllers with ECA 71 module. The
communication takes place by means of Windows COM ports, e.g. COM1. The Server can use multiple COM ports to support
multiple networks.

The ECL MODBUS OPC Configurator and Server are in the following referred to as Configurator and Server. The Configurator is
used for the setup of the Server. Setup changes will not take effect until the Server has been restarted.

The Configurator is an online tool that can scan a network for ECL Comfort devices and their parameters. Devices, groups and
parameters can also be added manually.
The network scan searches a network for installed ECL Comfort devices. The search is done from address 1 to address 247. The
network scan can only add new devices – existing devices will NOT be deleted.

The device scan retrieves the parameter list from the selected ECL Comfort controller. The parameters are placed in a hierarchical
structure depending on the ECL Comfort application. The device scan can only add new folders and parameters – existing
folders and parameters will NOT be deleted.

This help file is written for ECL MODBUS OPC version 1.1

It is recommended to make a backup of the OPC database before modifications are carried out.

Third party SCADA system:

OPC Client Connected via
Danfoss MODBUS
OPC server

TCP/IP, USB or
RS-232 to
RS-485 (MODBUS)

ECL Comfort

M-Bus connection

Heat meter

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Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

1.1 Prior to installation

Min. PC requirements
• Intel Pentium or equivalent processor
• Windows 2000®, Windows NT or Windows XP
• 128 MB RAM
• 500 MB free hard disk space

References
Type Description Code No. (Parts list No.)
ECA 71 MODBUS communication module 087B1126
Documentation available on http://heating.danfoss.com:
Instructions, ECA 71 protocol (087R9775, English)
Instructions, ECA 71 / 72 installation and user guide (087R9769, English)

Cables
The required cables will depend on the used equipment. Consult the MODBUS RS-485 converter documentation for further
details.

Please do also consult the ECA 71 instructions for details about the network layout and connection.

MODBUS RS-485 Converters

The MODBUS network uses a 2-wire RS-485 interface. This interface is typically not part of a standard PC, and it is therefore
necessary to connect a MODBUS RS-485 converter.

Basically there are 4 groups of converters:

• RS-232 ↔ RS-485
• USB ↔ RS-485
• TCP/IP ↔ RS-485
• Expansion module, e.g. PCI ↔ RS-485

Common requirements for all converters are that they have to be capable of running MODBUS RS-485, the desired
communication setting (baud rate, parity etc.) and must offer a Windows COM (Virtual COM) port interface to the Configurator
and Server.

The MODBUS standardspecifies line termination and polarization. It is an advantage if this is built into the converter. It is
recommended to use isolated converters (and repeaters) to increase robustness.

For specific details, please consult the specifications

• Modbus Application Protocol V1.1a.
• MODBUS over Serial Line, Specification & Implementation guide V1.0
both of which can be found on http://www.modbus.org/

Achievable performance will depend on the chosen converter.

2. How to install the program

Run the Setup.exe file on the PC onto which the OPC Server and Configurator must be installed. Follow the installation wizard.
The next step is to read the section on “How to get started”.

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3. Navigation in the Configurator

The Configurator resembles the Windows Explorer, with a left-hand side for level/item navigation and a right-hand side with
details for the selected level/item.

In the Configurator new ports, devices, groups and parameters can be added with a right-click of the mouse or by means of the
menu item ‘Edit’ ↔ ‘New’.

The illustration shows the hierarchical structure (as known from the Windows Explorer) with the newly created folders ‘NewPort’,
‘NewDevice’, ‘NewFolder’ and ‘NewDataItem’.

4. How to get started

After installation it is necessary to configure the database or select an already existing (valid) database. The database
configuration must be carried out with the Configurator.

An existing database can be selected by opening the database and closing the Configurator. When this is carried out, the
Configurator will ask whether the new database should be used for the Server.

For the configuration of a new database, the following steps must must be carried out for each network:

1. Run the Configurator (located in the start menu, ‘Programs’ ↔ ‘District Heating’ ↔ ‘ECL MODBUS OPC Server’ ↔
’Configurator’)
2. Add/select a port by specifying the COM port and the serial settings
3. Scan the network or add devices manually
4. Scan each device or add groups and parameters/tags manually
5. Close the Configurator

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Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

The database is configured and the Server has the parameters/tags which an OPC client can use.

If the network is updated or expanded, e.g. new controllers are added or application cards changed, it is recommended to follow
the steps above for an update of the database configuration.

4.1 Network scan

The network scan is used to search the network for new devices. Third party products are not supported by this function, and
must be added manually.

The network scan can be activated in the port window. Before the scan, the correct communication parameters must be set.
The network scan takes approximately 1 – 5 minute to complete.

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4.2 Device scan

Device scan is used for finding the groups and parameters of a device. Whenever a device has been replaced, the application
changed etc., this function should be used. Third party products are not supported by this function, and must be added
manually.

The device scan can be activated in the device window – after the network scan. Before a scan, a device must be selected.
The device scan takes approximately 1 – 5 minute to complete.

The device scan can only be used for ECL type devices.

If a device is re-scanned, the old folders should be deleted.

The button ‘Fill Conversions’ must be used before a scan if the database does not contain the necessary scales. It adds/repairs
the necessary default conversions items.

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Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

4.3 Device and tag names

Device and tag names are generated automatically. The names will therefore be the same from scan to scan if nothing is
changed (version of Configurator, ECA 71, ECL Comfort, or Application).

Whenever possible, the automatically generated names should be used, as this will reduce overall system setup modifications.
Description field can be changed if desired.

4.4 Conversions
All values can be converted (scaled) by the OPC Server.

To add/modify a conversion:
1. ‘Add/Modify’ a conversion in the Conversions folder.
2. For the parameters that require conversion, select ‘Use conversion’ in the parameter dialog and then select the appropriate
conversion

Default conversions ‘ECL Scale x’ is a conversion which is equal to 10x, e.g. ‘ECL Scale -1’ is equal to 10-1 (division by 10).
‘ECL Scale Schedule’ is used for all schedule values. As default the conversion will divide the values by 100, i.e. 8:00 is 8 and 8:30
is 8,3 (not 800 and 830). The conversion can be changed if this representation is not desired.

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4.5 Third party products

Third party products, such as general inputs/outputs, which support the standard MODBUS RTU interface can manually be
added with the Configurator.

New devices, groups and parameters can be added by a right-click of the mouse or the menu item ‘Edit’ → ‘New’.

Note that any third party products must use the same communication settings as the rest of the network (baud rate, parity etc.).

5. Installation and technical information

The installation includes the files ‘PNU & GROUP numbers parameter list.txt’ and ‘search list.txt’. These files are used during a
device scan and are not to be modified.

Cache function
The ‘Cache’ folder contains cached device scan results. When a new application type is scanned, a cache file is generated. If an
application type is known, the cached file will be used, thus eliminating a complete device scan. This will speed up the process.

The cache function can be enabled/disabled by creating/deleting the ‘Cache’ folder.

Scan timeout
The network scan timeout parameter can, if necessary, be changed by adding a DWORD value with the name ScanTimeout to the
registration database key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Danfoss A/S\ECL Modbus OPC Configurator\Options

The default value is 250 ms.

(The device scan uses the device read timeout).

Default database
The installation includes a default database named ECL_ModbusOPCConfigurator.mdb.

Database compatibility
Databases from ECL MODBUS OPC version 1.0 are usable after the ‘Fill Conversions’ function has run.
Databases from Demo Iconics MODBUS OPC are not compatible.

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Instructions ECL MODBUS OPC

6. Troubleshooting
Fault Cause Solution
No database Installation not complete • Uninstall and reinstall the program

Alternative

• Create a new database with ‘File’

→ ’New’

• Or open an existing database with

‘File’ → ‘Open’

When the program is closed, choose

‘Yes’ to set the new database as the
current one.

Network scan does not find any False communication port and/or • Check that the COM port setting is
devices settings correct.

• Check that the cable/network is

connected correctly

• Check that cable termination and

polarization is correct

Device scan does not find all Not fully supported module • Manually insert the missing
parameters parameters

• Update the Configurator if possible

Low server performance
Invalid devices and/or parameters.
To high update rate requested.
Low performing converters/repeaters
• Remove invalid devices (that do
not exist in the network)
• Remove invalid parameters (that
do not exist in the device)

• Change the requested update rate

to a more reasonable value

• Check that converters and

repeaters are correctly installed
and have the needed performance

• Converters that run over other

media (e.g. the internet) can
introduce delays

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