To add data points into a data source, follow these steps:
- Launch the SIMATIC S7 Connector application.
The Configurator home page is displayed. -
Click under the Actions column of the data source to which you want to add a tag.
The Add Tags dialog box is displayed based on the data source as follows:
For S7-Protocol (S7-300/400/1200/1500):
NOTE
- Only the 'Char' data type supports the array feature for S7-Protocol (S7-300/400/1200/1500) data source in the configurator, but the data is published as simple scalar values for each array elements.
- In S7-Protocol (S7-300/400/1200/1500) the maximum string length supported for string is 210. If you have configured a fixed length string datatype in TIA Portal, then you need to provide the length of the string. When configuring the tag in S7 Connector or by default the the length is set to maximum which is 210. For more information, refer Fixed Length String.
For Optimized S7-Protocol (S7-1200/1500):
NOTE
- Optimized S7-Protocol (S7-1200/1500) data source does not support the array feature.
- In Optimized S7-Protocol (S7-1200/1500), the maximum string length supported for string is 254. If you have configured a fixed length string datatype in TIA Portal, then you need to provide the length of the string. When configuring the tag in S7 Connector or by default the length is set to maximum which is 254. For more information, refer section Fixed Length String in Data types.
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Complete the following fields:
Field Name Definition Name Defines the name of the data point. It must be unique. Comments Defines the comments. Address Defines the address of the data point in the controller or on the server. Data Type Specifies the data point type. For more information on the data types, refer Data Types.
The Data Type drop-down displays the data type options based on the data source as follows:- S7-Protocol (S7-300/400/1200/1500) supports Bool, Int, Byte, Dint, Real, String, Word, USInt, Uint, UDInt, Dword, Date, Time, Char, DateTime, and Char Array.For more information on String data type, refer How to Configure String Datatype in S7-Protocol (S7-300/400/1200/1500)?
- Optimized S7-Protocol (S7-1200/1500) supports Bool, Int, Byte, Dint, Real, String, Word, Lint, Sint, USInt, Uint, UDInt, ULInt, Lreal, Dword, Lword, Date, Time, TOD, Ltime, LTOD, Char, and DateTime.The 'DateTime' data type is not supported for S7-1200 PLCs.
String Length Defines the string length to read the correct tag value.
If you have configured fixed length string datatype in TIA Portal, then you must enter the correct string length in this field to read the correct tag value.Array Enables the array feature. Array feature is used to accumulate different PLC values in one array as required. Array Size Defines the size of the array. Acquisition Cycle Specifies the acquisition cycle with which the data is sent to the Databus. The available options are as follows: - 100 milliseconds
- 250 milliseconds
- 500 milliseconds
- 1 second
- 2 second
- 5 second
- 10 second
As a rule, the '1 second' acquisition cycle is used.Acquisition Mode Specifies the acquisition mode of the data. The available options are as follows: - CyclicContinuous
- CyclicOnChange
Optimized S7 Protocol (S7-1200/1500) data source type support only CyclicOnChange.Access Mode Specifies the access mode of the tags. You can configure the tags as readable, writable, or both readable-writable. The available options are as follows: - Read: This access mode is applicable only for 'Read' configured tags.
- Read and Write: With this access mode, the value can be 'Read' and 'Write'.
* Indicates that all fields are mandatory.
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Click Add Tags.
The data points are added below the data source.NOTE
- You can add multiple data points as required, by clicking under the Actions column.
- When you add a new data point under a deployed connection then connection’s deployed state is changed to partially deployed state.
- You can add multiple data points as required, by clicking under the Actions column.