EcoStruxure Process Expert update and hardware upgrade

[ArsalanNisar]

Hello, I am an automation engineer and I am not familiar with Schneider Electric automation environment. I need regarding an issue.

A machine has EcoStruxure Process Expert v3.1 uses Quantum processor 140CPU 651650 and Citect Scada v7.3.

I just want to replace controller because its been obsolete. I want to upgrade to M580 PAC controller. The current version of Process expert v3.1 doesn't support M580 PAC controller. 

I would be very thankful if I get a roadmap to how to execute this complex task.

( I am also considering to use control expert v14.1 for m580 PAC M580 PAC controller and integrate it with Citect Scada, but I know it will be bumpy road for me.)

TIA

[Hennie_Smith]

Hi,

The best option would be to upgrade PES 3.1 to the latest version first. If the General Purpose library(GPL) was used in PES, the latest version will already have the updated DFB's and SCADA genies.

The SCADA project will have to be re-generated with EPE. If the GPL library was used, you only might need to manually update custom cicode functions done in the project to get the project to compile. Template/genie etc functions for the EPE objects will be done automatically.

To convert the Quantum to M580 in the newer releases entails creating new to Topology with M580 and re-assigning the facets in EPE (new name for PES). 

1. IO Assignments can be imported in the latest version from Excel. PES 3.1 unfortunately, if my memory serves me right, does not have export function of the IO assignment.
2. Inter-PLC communication (SCADA variables will be updated by EPE automatically) would need to be updated manually after changing to M580 since the Quantum Modbus addressing started at 1 whereas the M580 use 0-based addressing.
3. Read_REG/Write_REG functions in custom code of the PLC will need to be changed to Read_VAR and Write_VAR
4. Communication to any Distributed IO (VSD, DOL, Softstarters) need to be re-mapped in EPE.

Not exhaustive list but these are the main points.

Hennie Smith