PAS800 Custom Device Model (for firmware 001.004.000)

[swil]

Q1. Does PAS800 support end users having the ability to create/use  custom device models?

Q2. Please provide any documentation on requirements for configuring the zip file for a 3rd party Modbus device model compatible for upload to a PAS800.

According to the latest user guide for PAS800, Custom Models for Downstream Devices / Setting up the Parameters section, "Custom models are available on the EcoStruxure Panel Server webpages." However, PAS800 capability with 3rd party Modbus serial devices  appears to be limited to:

a. Offering end user an option to import a custom model by zip file (an empty folder is suggested) from the settings/Device models web page

b. Manually add unknown serial device type by slave ID from Settings/Modbus Discovery

c. Rename/Delete/update usage/name/virtual server/slave ID/observe connection status from Settings/Modbus devices

[Romain_Polette · Accepted solution]

Hi @swil , 

To answer your questions:

Q1. Does PAS800 support end users having the ability to create/use  custom device models?
No. For the moment, Custom Model creation is not integrated in the Panel Server web pages (unlike the Com'X).

Q2. Please provide any documentation on requirements for configuring the zip file for a 3rd party Modbus device model compatible for upload to a PAS800.

.zip file including your custom model is created through an external web portal (EcoStruxure Commissioning Web Portal). Only some experts can access this portal.

@Dom-Socquet or @Thierry_Baudard may give you more information regarding the custom model creation and roadmap of the feature.
@Guillaume_Evrard can also share some experience regarding the process.

Regards, 

[swil]

Thanks for the information @Romain_Polette,

PAS800 requirements for some projects, in order of importance, include:

1. Third party device creation (note we try hard to sell Schneider meters)

2. SFTP / FTP File push

3. A simple way of implementing 15 minute logging for selected parameters (if this is an issue - I'm unsure)

4. ETL solution for data backfill gateway data to PME database when comms problems arise

[Guillaume_Evrard]

Hello,

As explained by Romain there is a cloud tool to build "custom model" called the Commissioning Web Portal. I do not know how it will be made available for all users. As of Today only the Global IoT Engineer for EAA are having access to it.

Pay attention that as of today we have some limitations with PAS/CWP. Only FC03 is available (Read Holding registers) and not all format are being supported.

[Guillaume_Evrard]

Hello,

SFTP should be in 1.5. As far as I have understood it should be the legacy Comx format....

[swil]

Thanks Romain.

When does Schneider anticipate PAS800 firmware will be upgraded to to a level where it can be said that the PAS800 is suitable to replace Com'X 210/ Com'X 510?

[swil]

Thanks for the information. For a current project read input registers is also required.

[Thierry_Baudard]

Hello swill,

There are many way to implement and install a com'X in a installation so I don't have a definitive and global answer to your question. However everybody must follow the roadmap and identify step by step when features are available.

[Thierry_Baudard]

I assume that you speak of the two native digital inputs of PAS800 when you mention "read input registers".

Tell me if my asumption is wrong and if it is something else.

Today, With the current fw1.4.0:

- it is possible to configure the two inputs as standard inputs or pulse conter in EPC (setting not available in web page)

- It is possible to collecte status and measurement in modbus registers

- it is not possible to view DI status and pulse counter value in measurement and trending of PAS800 web page

- it is not possible to publishDI status and pulse counter measure in the cloud for AA, RA,FE, EEH 

[swil]

I was referring to having ability to create third party devices that can read modbus input registers (registers numbered 3xxxx). 

Thanks for the information about pulse counters. We configured them in the PAS600L with EPC and that worked well.

[geir_eas_no_bfo]

Hi,

We are having problems with communication to third party devices via the PAS800L, We are using the PAS as a modbus gateway and read the devices from PLC.

Communication works good, but if we disconnect end device(ventilation fan) the PLC and PAS does not get com error, and communication does not start with return of power to the fan.

To establish connection again I have for reboot PAS.

What could be the reason for this?

Does PAS “buffer” modbus data for end devices? Thus, making PLC “think” that end device is still connected?

Might this be solved if end device was added as a custom model?

Then PAS will read data from modbus device and might be better at detecting loss of communication?

Must say that I`am suprised that Schneider doesn`t follow up with great functionality like in the old device ComX!

BR 

GIA

[Guillaume_Evrard]

Have you tried to upgrade to 1.5.1 ? 

If you want to use modbus tcp gateway, no device addition is expected. For sure you have internal data treatment but working as COMX.

If you configure the devices inside PAS, this should have no effect on the modbus trafic except to change the modbus id by the PAS virtual ID. However if you add a  "unknown device" you should get comm loss alarm on the PAS only. On the PLC side modbus shall detect comm loss by having no answer from device