How to setup RSLinx and download to a MicroLogix 1400 | The Automation Blog

so you need to know how to configure rslinx classic to communicate with an allen-bradley micrologix 1400 using ethernet to download or go online with rslogix?

well you’re in luck as in today’s article I’ll walk you through how to configure rslinx communications as well as how to download or go online from rslogix:

Notes and Prerequisites: Before you begin, make sure you have the correct software. You will also want to make sure you know the ethernet address of your micrologix 1400 which you can find by following this article. If you prefer to set up communications via serial rs232 df1, see this article. and for images of the micrologix 1400 communication ports, see this article.

step 1) ethernet connectivity

the first step is to make sure you have ethernet connectivity between your pc and micrologix plc. the easiest way to achieve this is to connect them to the same physical network and logical network.

While many with ethernet experience will know how to accomplish the above, for those with less experience I’ll add additional information below:

1. You will probably find that the easiest way to connect your pc to the same physical network as the micrologix plc is to use an ethernet switch. You can also connect directly using an ethernet crossover cable. note: if you have a newer computer, your ethernet port probably supports “auto mdi-x”, in which case you can also use a standard ethernet patch cable.
2. if you’re not using a router , then make sure your pc is on the same logical network (also known as a subnet) as the micrologix. this can be done by comparing your pc’s ip address and subnet mask to your micrologix to make sure they are on the same subnet as explained here.
3. if you are using a router, the gateway default will need to be set correctly both on the plc and on your pc. if you’re unsure about this, ask your IT staff.
4. finally, to verify that your pc can communicate with your plc, open a windows command prompt and “ping” the address from your plc. (ie ping 192.168.1.10) as explained in this article.

step 2) Next, start rslinx classic, and then from the communications menu, select configure drivers:

step 3) now, in the dropdown list of available driver types, select the ethernet/ip driver, a driver that will try to automatically find your micrologix on ethernet:

step 4) then click add new

step 5) and accept the default name by clicking ok:

step 6) now select the ethernet port on your pc that your micrologix is ​​connected to. be careful not to choose wifi or bluetooth network cards if your micrologix is ​​not connected to them:

step 7) now click ok to close the driver window:

step 8) and click close to close the driver configuration window:

step 9) then double click your new driver in the rswho window as shown below:

step 10) if after ten seconds of browsing rslinx does not find your micrologix, you can try adding it manually by adding the ethernet device driver in communications, configure drivers, available driver types:

step 11) As before, select the driver, click add new, and then click ok:

step 12) here, add the ethernet address of your micrologix (see the notes before step 1 for that procedure) and then click ok:

step 13) now double click on your new controller in the rswho window and after a few seconds you should see your micro appear:

step 14) now open rslogix micro or rslogix 500 and then open your program file:

step 15) Next, from the communications menu, select system communications:

step 16) then in the communications popup, expand your ethernet controller and select your micro:

step 17) To download your program simply select the download button. alternatively, you can go online by selecting the online button:

step 18) At this point, if you made any changes to your program, you may be prompted to save it:

step 19) Next, confirm that you want to download your program to the mic you selected:

Note: The micrologix plc can only store one program at a time, and downloading it will delete the current program from the micro. if you don’t have a copy of the current program loaded on your micro, you must first perform a load and save.

step 20) At this point, if the current project settings do not match the system settings, you will be asked if you want to update the project settings:

step 21) and then if the controller is different, you will be prompted to commit the change and resize the datatables:

step 22) if the micro was in run mode, you will be asked if you want to put it in program mode so that the download can take place.

step 23) Next, if the communications settings on your mic are different from the settings in the program you are downloading, you will be prompted as to whether or not you want to change the mic. to match the program you are downloading:

Note: If you change the port settings to which you are downloading, after the download you will probably lose communication with the micro. to get communications back, you’ll need to edit your controller in rslinx to match the new settings.

Also, if you changed the ethernet settings, you may get a notice that it won’t take place until after a reboot:

step 24) at the end of the download process, if you still have communication with the micrologix controller, you will have the option to put the controller back into run mode if it was in run mode before downloading, and you will also be given the option to go online:

note: you can see a video demonstration of this procedure below:

I hope today’s article on how to configure rslinx classic to communicate with a micrologix 1400 and then how to download it to the micrologix using rslogix was helpful.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to post them by clicking the “click here to post a comment or question” link below.

sincerely,

shawn tierneyautomation trainer and blogger

Have a question? Join my community of automation professionals and join the discussion! you will also find my plc, hmi and scada courses at theautomationschool.com.

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