PLC database

The PLC Manager uses the PLC project database for the management. This can be re-built via the icon next to it or the menu invocation Automatic / PLC / Project database.

In CPP mode, the project name is adopted as the filename and in Standard mode, the name of the current drawing is used. In each case, the filename extension is .MDB.

This function can be used at any time to re-build the PLC project database from the information from the circuit diagram. A project database which already exists is backed up by using the extension .OLD.

Rebuilding the PLC database

The PLC manager is hidden during this action.

Should be carried out whenever, for example, PLC symbols have been removed from the circuit diagram or, for example, connection diagram pages with PLC symbols have been copied to an existing project.  But also when you have been working with the PLC Manager switched off.

When re-building the project database, the information is taken from the PLC modules present on the circuit diagram. Bear in mind that, for example, the comments text may be present on the circuit diagram in an abbreviated form if the length of the text wildcard in the symbol was not sufficient. This sometimes makes it necessary to extend the texts concerned manually or to read in the previously generated PLC list.

Procedure for rebuilding the PLC database

The main and auxiliary modules of the entire circuit diagram are searched for and combined using the reference names. If the main module is present, this is analysed and the auxiliary modules assigned. If the main module for a reference name (virtual module) is missing and if an item number is available for one of the auxiliary modules, then the database is searched for this number and then, using the symbol name from the database, the current library is searched for the matching main module.

If no assignment according to the two previous points can be found for an auxiliary module, these can be assigned online or a new PLC module (virtual module) can be generated by selecting an entry in the main module which is offered.

Note

The PLC texts present in the project database can sometimes be longer than the visible text on the circuit diagram (formatted and limited by the text wildcards). The automatic determination is only based on the information (texts) on the circuit diagram so the texts sometimes still have to be re-edited somewhat.