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Modbus FAQ

General

PLC Programming 1. What is MODBUS?

Handbooks
Allen Bradley MODBUS is a commonly used industrial communications protocol. It
Siemens allows the exchange of data between PLCs and computers. It was
Modicon originally designed for Modicon (Schneider Electric) PLCs but has become
widely used by many PLC manufacturers and industrial networks.
Sponsors
2. Why would I use MODBUS?

MODBUS is a common means of gathering data from many different

PLC training software
Programming on your own sources for viewing operations, archiving and troubleshooting from a
PLC Use for all PLC, easy central remote location. It is widely used and a fairly simple protocol.
to learn Depending on the application a newer protocol may have more
www.easyveep.com
advantage.

Typically a PC is set up running such programs as Wonderware, Intellution

Introduction to Fieldbus or LabVIEW in one location to gather data from various processes around
Free online courses make
learning fieldbus easy and the factory. Another application is for setting up remote factory process
convenient - 24/7 controllers (such as other PLCs like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, PLCDirect,
www.PlantWebUniversity.com
etc.) to respond to different levels or modes that are being transmitted
from the device.

NI Automation Software 3. How does it work?

Integrate measurement
and control. Read tutorials Devices using MODBUS communicate using a master-slave technique, in
and try software. which only one device (the master) can initiate transactions (queries).
www.ni.com
The other devices (the slaves) respond by supplying the requested data to
the master, or by taking the action requested in the query. The master
PLC ladder logic
can address individual slaves, or can initiate a broadcast message to all
examples
PLC training and program slaves. Slaves return a message (response) to queries that are addressed
templates Anti-tie-down, to them individually.
BCD, Monitoring, ect
www.machinetoolhelp.com The Modbus protocol establishes the format for the master's query by
placing into it the device (or broadcast) address, a function code defining
Modbus Protocol the requested action, any data to be sent, and an error-checking field.
IEC 61850, 101, 103, 104, The slave's response message is also constructed using Modbus protocol.
DNP3 ICCP, SPA and It contains fields confirming the action taken, any data to be returned,
Modbus Gateways
www.KalkiTech.Com/ProtocolGatew and an error-checking field. If an error occurred in receipt of the
message, or if the slave is unable to perform the requested action, the
slave will construct an error message and send it as its response.
Automation Geeks

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4. Is MODBUS Plus the same as MODBUS?

No, they are different protocols and not compatible. To link the two
protocols a converter like Panel-Tec’s MD3000 is needed. This FAQ only
applies to Modbus serial communications.

5. Is MODBUS TCP/IP the same as MODBUS?

No, they are different protocols and not compatible. A converter from
Popular Articles MODBUS serial to MODBUS TCP/IP Ethernet is needed (for instance the
PLC Timeline EIS-2B Series Industrial MicroServers from Omega Engineering). This FAQ
Rockwell Automation's
only applies to Modbus serial communications.
Retroincabulator!
PLC Basics
6. Where can I find out more about MODBUS?
PLC Simulators
Cheap PLCs
Modicon’s MODBUS Protocol Guide:
http://www.modicon.com/techpubs/toc7.html
Navigation
The MODBUS Users Web Site: http://www.modbus.org/
Book reviews
Online books
Recent posts Networking
About
7. What is a master-slave network?

RSS A master-slave technique is one in which only one device (the master)
Feed Me! Firefox and can initiate transactions (queries). The other devices (the slaves) respond
Thunderbird make it easy to by supplying the requested data to the master, or by taking the action
keep up on the latest articles requested in the query. Typical master devices include touch screens or
from PLCdev PCs running Wonderware, Intellution or LabVIEW while slaves include
PLCs and smart devices such as PID controllers or meters.
User login
8. How can I connect MODBUS devices together in a network?
Username: *
RS-232 outputs cannot be connected together. To create a network the
devices must use a RS-485 network and have a unique slave address.
Password: *
References:
Log in
Create new account AutomationDirect FA-ISOCON manual:
Request new password http://www.facts-eng.com/manuals/faisoconm.pdf
Dataforth DCP485 manual:
http://www.dataforth.com/catalog/pdf/DCP485.pdf

9. What are RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 and how are they different?

These are standards for serial communications that define the pin outs,
cabling, signal levels, transmission baud rates and parity checking.

RS-232 only allows for one master and one slave and is limited to
distances of up to 15 meters.
RS-422 can address up to 10 slaves using four wires (full duplex) and
has a distance capacity of 4000 meters.
RS-485 can address up to 32 slaves using either a two wire (half
duplex) or four wire system (full duplex) and has a distance capacity of
4000 meters.

A common mistake is to confuse the electrical standard with the protocol.

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Protocols define how the data is structured while the electrical standards
determine how the data is physically transmitted. There are many
different protocols (i.e. Modbus, DF1, AS511) that can be used on
RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 wired systems.

References:

The RS232 Standard:

http://www.camiresearch.com/Data_Com_Basics/RS232_standard.html
Basics of the RS485 Standard:
http://www.bb-elec.com/tech_articles/rs485_basics.asp

10. How many slaves can there be?

RS-232 only allows for one slave.

RS-422 can address up to 10 slaves.
RS-485 can address up to 32 slaves.

The address can be a unique number between 1 and 247 for all these
systems.

11. How do I change the slave address?

This is unique to each device. Consult the manufacturer’s manual.

Wiring

12. Where do I connect the communication wires?

This is unique to each device. Consult the manufacturer’s manual.

Here’s a typical example of a PC connected directly to a PLC Direct DL05.

RS485 connections can be wired in a 2- wire or 4-wire arrangement. It is

preferable to use the 2-wire multidrop network. The change can typically
be made between both by use of two jumpers. The diagrams below show
the wiring connections for the Dataforth and AutomationDirect RS485 to
RS232 connectors.

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Dataforth Converters

AutomationDirect (Facts) Converters

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References:

AutomationDirect FA-ISOCON manual:

http://www.facts-eng.com/manuals/faisoconm.pdf

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RS-485 connection example see Dataforth Application Note AN202

http://www.dataforth.com/catalog/pdf/an202.pdf

12a. What are the dip switch settings for the Dataforth DPC485?

12b. What are the dip switch settings for the AutomationDirect (Facts
Engineering) FA-ISOCON?

13. Will I damage something if I get the wires swapped?

No, the RS-232/422/485 standards are designed to withstand short

circuits and swapped wires. Damage may occur if a voltage greater than
25 volts is placed on one of the lines.

14. Do I have to turn off the PLC and other devices to connect the
wires?

This is the only recommended safe way to install wiring.

15. How far away can devices be away from each other?

For an RS-232 connection the maximum distance is 15 meters.

For RS-422 and RS485 connections the maximum distance is 4000

meters.

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Repeaters can be used to increase the distance.

16. What sort of cable should I use?

A shielded #18AWG cable with twisted pairs is recommended. The shield

should be grounded on one end only.

Communicating

17. What are the communication settings?

This is unique to each device. Consult the manufacturer’s manual. A

typical setup has

Baud Rate: 9600

Parity: Even

Data Bits: 8

Stop Bits: 1

18. What are ASCII and RTU modes?

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) uses 10 bits

of data comprised of 7 data bits, 1 parity bit, 1 start bit and 1 stop bit. It
uses LRC (Longitudinal Redundancy Check) for error checking. The
advantage of ASCII is it allows up to 1 second time intervals to occur
between character transmissions without generating an error. It's most
useful when communication is slow.

RTU mode (Remote Terminal Unit) contains 4 bit hex characters divided
up into 8 data bits, 1 parity bit, 1 start bit, and 1 stop bit. It uses CRC
(Cyclical Redundancy Check) for error checking. RTU has the advantage
that it can send more data in the same amount of time but it has to be in
a continuous stream (no delays between characters).

19. OK, that was too much information for me. Should I use RTU or
ASCII?

RTU is the most commonly used.

Addressing

20. Where do I find information on identifying the addresses?

This is unique to each device. Consult the manufacturer’s manual.

21. What is a coil?

This is a single bit of information indicating either an ON (1) or OFF (0)

state. Types of coils include valve states, alarms/warnings and status.

22. What is a register?

This is a 16-bit data field. The data can be in binary (decimal), hex or BCD
format. Types of register data include temperatures, pressures, times and
PID variables.

23. Why do some addresses have only four digits when I expect five?

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Typically there are two ways that MODBUS can address the PLC:

#1 - Most software packages allow you to specify the MODBUS data type
and address. This is the easiest method and most often used.

#2 - If your host software package specifies an address only then you will
need to determine the addressing mode as either 484 or 584/984. If
the address is supposed to be four digits then it is 484 mode. If the
address is to be five digits then it is 584/984 mode. The following
table shows what will need to be added to the existing address:

484 mode 584/984 mode

Coils +1 +1

Registers + 4001 + 40001

24. Why is the addressing off by one?

Some Modbus master devices compute register locations differently so the

actual address might be shifted by one. This is often referred to as
“adding the offset”.

25. Can I write a value to the PLC?

Yes there are both read and write functions.

26. Can I control the PLC remotely through MODBUS?

Only if the PLC program is programmed to do it.

Troubleshooting

27. How can I test the MODBUS connection?

The best way to do this is to have a separate computer/laptop with the

ability to monitor MODBUS by acting as a Master station.

Vendors that have stand alone MODBUS testing software include:

Ocean Controls -
http://www.oceancontrols.com.au/modbus/modview.htm
Wintech Software - http://www.win-tech.com/html/modbus1.htm
LabVIEW can be used but the MODBUS component called BusVIEW
must be purchased first from SEG Corp. (www.softwarewithrelish.com).

The only cable required to test MODBUS is a three conductor, wired to

one end with a standard 9 pin connector for the computer com port and
the other end loose to tie into the customer interface terminalsThe 9 pin
terminal 2 is Rx, terminal 3 is Tx, and 5 is GND (or Common). So the Rx
on one end goes to the Tx on the other and vice versa, and the GND goes
to GND.

To test an RS485 connection first establish that the RS232 side is working
by disconnecting the RS232/485 converter and testing by the above
method. Once the RS232 side is confirmed as working the only way to
verify the RS485 connection with a PC is to use another RS232/485
converter to convert the signal back into a RS232 signal that the PC can

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read. A converter on another PLC can be used for testing but the RS232
side of the converter must be disconnected first before using the PC.

28. I’m getting communication time out errors and I can’t get the
device to communicate with my software? What could be wrong?

Transmit and receive signals can often be verified by watching the

transmit and receive lights on the Modbus components.
The communication parameters are not set up correctly on the
device. Check the settings match for slave address, baud rate,
stop bit and parity.
Make sure the host software has the same configuration
The transmit and receive wires are crossed. Try switching the wires as it
will not cause any damage.
Check the conductivity on each wire for loose connections or broken
wires.
High power lines or improper grounding is causing noise in the system.
Are the communication cables shielded and is the shield grounded on
one end.

29. The MODBUS data does not match what is on the screen. What is
wrong?

The addressing may be off by one depending upon how the host
software handles addressing.
Slow communications may delay updates on MODBUS data.
Host software is not configured to continually poll for new readings.
The data format may be set up incorrectly. Refer to the user manual’s
MODBUS table for the data formatting.
Typically the data will be in binary/decimal format. In certain
situations the data may be in hexadecimal.
Some data has implied decimal places so that a value of 432.1
will be 4321 in MODBUS.
Some large numbers may require two addresses. This is called a
double word. The low address (word) will contain the first four
places while the higher address (word) will contain the upper four
digits. For a quick conversion take the (high word X 10000) + low
word.
Sometimes scaling is required to derive the proper number. The
scaling is indicated on the MODBUS table where the actual data is
given and then the scale value. For example, if the actual reading
is from 0 to 4095 and the scaling is from 0 to 100 then the actual
value will have to be divided by 40.95 to get the proper scaling.

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