Logix5000 connection to Kepware. Kepware is an OPC server for Perspective

Ignition
1

Hey guys,
I need some help on the link between a CompactLogix PLC (Logix5000 software) and Kepware for a tank level. I'm assuming that the PLC is getting the level directly via PLC I/O, then writing the integer value to Kepware?? In Ignition Kepware is set up as an OPC client, so Ignition will be reading that tank level from Kepware. OPC Item Path will be ns=2;s=TX_GW_Palm_WEL_1.LI_H20_TK.

any help?

Thanks

2

I'm assuming that the PLC is getting the level directly via PLC I/O, ...

You should be able to confirm that in the PLC code.

... then writing the integer value to Kepware??

It's much more likely that Kepware is reading the data from the PLC at a specified polling rate.

In Ignition Kepware is set up as an OPC client, so Ignition will be reading that tank level from Kepware.

I suspect that Ignition is the OPC client and that Kepware is the OPC-UA server.

If you have the connection set correctly you should be able to use Ignition's gateway Config | OPC CLIENT | OPC Quick Client to browse the Kepware server.

Please clarify. Getting the terminology right will be essential to getting an accurate description to assist you.

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If you don't have a working Kepware connection yet, make sure you have a user in kepware configured for the Ignition OPC-UA client (it's easy to miss, but Kepware requires it).

If you do have the connection already working, typically Kepware tags are addressed by [Channel].[Device].[TagName]

If you're using dynamic addressing, you won't be able to browse the PLC tags in any OPC client, but if you are using static tags or uploading the tag database in Kepware, you should be able to browse, but I don't recommend uploading the tag database or using static tags in Kepware as it just bloats the config file.

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[You should be able to confirm that in the PLC code]

I don't have access to the PLC code. Someone else is writing the code. I'm trying to help out. I am doing the Ignition Perspective. Just trying to piece everything together for everyone.

[It's much more likely that Kepware is reading the data from the PLC at a specified polling rate.]

I am new to Kepware. Hence my questions.

[I suspect that Ignition is the OPC client and that Kepware is the OPC-UA server. If you have the connection set correctly you should be able to use Ignition's gateway Config | OPC CLIENT | OPC Quick Client to browse the Kepware server.]

Nothing is set up yet. Nothing is connected yet. There is no gateway yet. Hence my questions

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Thank you michael flagler. That helps!

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Is there an advantage to using KEPWare instead of the Inductive Allen-Bradley drive?

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It doesn't suffer from IA's driver's difficulties with Add-on-Instruction data types. But IA's driver has no trouble browsing the processor for tags--much more convenient than Kepware.

(My alternate driver is the best of both worlds.... /shameless plug.)

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