Using PAS600L as a transparent gateway between an M580 and Mitsubishi Q series

[Nel_77]

Hello experts,

Please I need some guidance.

I intend to use PAS600L as a transparent gateway for Modbus communication between two PLCs. A Schneider Electric M580 (on the Ethernet side) and a Mitsubishi Q series (on the RS-485 side). The panel server serial port (RS-485) will be configured in reverse mode as the Mitsubishi Q series connected at the serial port is required to act as a “client” by polling the M580.

I have the following questions:

1. Is this set up workable?
2. Which devices need a model on the PAS600L for proper communication—the M580, the Mitsubishi Q series, or both?
3. If the M580 requires a model, does the PAS600L provide a native model for it as the M580 is a Schneider PLC, or must I create a custom model via EPC‑Web?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Romain_Polette]

Hello @Nel_77 , 

Panel Server cannot be a transparent gateway in Modbus Server mode (reverse mode).

According to the User Manual, Panel Server can be transparent gateway only for Modbus Serial devices (RS485 port) connected to a Modbus TCP master.

To allow your Mitsubishi PLC (Serial Master) to access to M580 (TCP Slaves), you will need to create a custom model for your M580 PLC (using the M580 summary table) with EPC-W tool. Upload this custom model inside your Panel Server and declare the M580 in Panel Server in your PAS600. Then => each M580 will have a unique Virtual ID.

Finally your Mitsubishi controller will access to the M580 through PAS600 IP address + each M580 Virtual ID attributed by PAS600.

Regards, 

[Nel_77]

Hello @Romain_Polette ,

Thank you so much for the clarification. Please how can I access this EPC web tool to create a custom model? 

Best regards,

Nel

[Guillaume_Evrard · Accepted solution]

Hello @Nel_77 

Are you looking for a reverse modbus gateway ?

If yes this is doable by changing the configuration of the serial modbus port.

You will have to configure the M580 as an unknown tcp device ( no model required) just to be able to assign a serial modbus id to your M580 example ID1= IP address of PLC:255.

Mitsubishi PLC will need to poll id 1.

You might have to change the timeout, but in your case default should be OK.

Pay attention that PAS will poll the M581 every 15s to check the connectivity, so not fully transparent.

Hope this answer your question,

Kind Regards