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Ron Nombri
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PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 4:58 AM

One of our production line runs on an old RSLogix 5/20 PLC, the interface coms cable is a 25 pin male to 9 pin female. The laptop I'm using (Lenovo T61 ThinkPad) dose not have a 9 pin male com port. I'm looking at the option of connecting a USB to Serial Port Adaptor (9 pin) to the exsisting female 9 pin from the PLC with the USB connected to the laptop USB port. My question is: Can any USB to Serial Port Adaptor 9 pin male be used as part of the interface as described above? Thankyou & kind regards, Ron

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PWSlack
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#1

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 5:30 AM

It may be that the COM port selector in the communications set-up dialogue needs to be set to something unusual: COM8 works with the USB port connected to Unitronics PLCs, for example.

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RDGRNR
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#2

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 8:14 AM

Check http://www.startech.com/ for some options on serial to USB adapters. Most come with their own drivers or your system may already have one. Don't forget to configure your RS lynx comms.

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North of 60
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#3

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 9:02 AM

Hi Ron... I have had similar issues in the past with comm cables on TI equipment, such as the 5TI and the 510. The problem some times can be in how the CTS, RTS and CD lines of the RS-232C standard are handled. Check the the equipment manuals, you may have to hard wire some of the pins on the 25 pin plug to make the setup work.

LANtronix makes a very nice Ethernet/Serial adapter that allows you to talk to anyt serial device over a Ethernet LAN, works very slick. Benefit... you do not have to be near the device to connect to it.

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Mikerho
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#4

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 9:42 AM

Hi Ron,

Some good replies here. When I had to do some programming on a GE Fanuc PLC, I ran into the same problem, so I got something like this for my laptop:

Here is the link to this:

http://www.usbgear.com/SS-232-2P9.html

Good Luck!

Mike

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jhonson
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#5

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/01/2010 11:16 AM

Yes you can and dont forget to change the com port settings.

http://www.selinc.com/tc/SEL-662andSEL-663/
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johanmorenolds
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#6

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/02/2010 12:07 AM

Yes, you can do it, i´m working right now with an usb-serial adaptor. and it works great.
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Mikerho
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#7

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/02/2010 12:17 AM

Hey Ron, are you there? Come in out of the heat and cool off!

Let us know if we have been helpful!

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Ron Nombri
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#8
In reply to #7

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/02/2010 2:16 AM

Hi Mikerho & Team; My apology for not replying earlier. Thank you very much for all your advice, it has been very helpful. To which I have just bought a USB to Serial Port Adaptor at a local IT specialist supplier. It is as shown in the following link http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=459431 . I have scheduled the PLC to PC communication task for 3/03/2010 at 6:00pm (south pacifc time), will inform the you all of the results by 8:00 pm. Thank you & kind regards, Ron

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GW
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#9

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/02/2010 2:11 PM

I have had mixed success.

Some brands work, some don't.

One from Circuit City a few years ago wouldn't work.

I got another from a local computer shop (sorry, there is no brand on the cable) and it has worked for CRLX, Automax, printers etc without a glitch.

Running XP latest sp.

Could have been a driver issue.
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Ron Nombri
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#10

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/03/2010 5:27 AM

Hi Team, Thank you very much for all your advice, we now have established communication with the AB PLC 5/20, but the problem we are facing now is the PLC 5/20 processor password. Is there any way we can gain access to the PLC 5/20 processor, we also do not have the back up copy of the ladder logic program. Your professional advice is kindly asked for. Thank you & kind regards, Ron

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North of 60
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#11
In reply to #10

Re: PLC RSLogix 5/20 Interface Problem

03/03/2010 8:00 AM

Call AB and explain the situation precisely. Then do what they say. There may be a back door to retrieve the password.

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GW (1); jhonson (1); johanmorenolds (1); Mikerho (2); North of 60 (2); PWSlack (1); RDGRNR (1); Ron Nombri (2)

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