SIMATIC STEP7 : TIMER

OVERVIEW Timer is an instruction that waits a set amount of time before doing something. Sounds simple doesn't it. As always, different types of timers are available with different manufacturers. Here, however, are most of them: 1. On-Delay Timer This timer simply delays turning on. This timer will wait for a set of time before its association coils are energized. 2. Off-Delay Timer This timer works in opposite way of On-Delay Timer. This timer will wait for a set of time before its association coils are de-energized. 3. Retentive or Accumulating Timer This timer has a main different with the other two timers in retaining their current elapsed time. The other two will be reset and not complete timer duration when they are de-energized. Retentive Timer will retain its current elapsed time when it is de-energized and resuming the timer duration when it is energized. Simatic Step7 has five different types of timers. It can be pre-loaded using either of the following formats: 1. W#16#wxyz - Where w = time base (time interval or resolution). - Where xyz = the time value in binary coded decimal format. 2. S5T#aH_bM_cS-dMS - Where H = hours, M = minutes, S = seconds, MS = milliseconds, and a, b, c, d is defined by user. The maximum value can be entered is 9990 seconds or 2H_46M_30S.

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1. S_PULSE S_PULSE timer will be energized as long as signal state at input S is active or 1. A signal change is always necessary in order to enable a timer. If signal state change from 1 to 0 before the time interval has elapsed, the timer will be stopped. In this case the signal state at output Q is 0.

3. S_ODT S_ODT (On-Delay Timer) starts specified timer if there is a signal change from 0 to 1 at input S. the timer will be kept running for the time interval as long as signal state at input S is 1. Signal state at output Q is 1 if time interval of the timer is elapsed without error and signal state at input S is still 1. When the signal state at input changes to 0 while the timer is running, the timer is stopped.

2. S_PEXT This timer runs for the preset time interval specified even if the signal state at input S change from 1 to 0 before the time interval has elapsed. The signal state at output Q is 1 as long as the timer is running. The timer will be restarted with the preset time value if the signal state at input S changes from 0 to 1 while timer is running.

4. S_ODTS A Retentive On-Delay Timer that starts specified time interval if there is a trigger at input S. Behave like S_ODT but without regarding to the signal state at input. In other words, timer will continue running even the signal state at input changes from 1 to 0. Signal state at the output Q is 1 when time interval has elapsed. Timer will be restarted with specified time if signal state at input changes from 0 to 1 while timer is running.

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T11 is a retentive pulse timer and Q7.1 is an output coil

5. S_OFFDT S_OFFDT (Off-Delay Timer) starts specified timer if there is a signal change from 1 to 0 at input S. the signal state at output Q is 1 if signal state at S is 1 or while Timer T10 and T11 have 5 timer is running. seconds preset time interval. When The timer is reset when the signal I7.0 is energized (green indicates it state at input S changes from 0 is energized), it triggers T10 and T11 to 1. to work. The two timers will work for 5 seconds.

EXAMPLES As It was described earlier, a retentive timer can retain its current elapsed time and complete its specified time interval when it was energized again. An example below can describe how a retentive timer works compare to a non retentive timer. - I7.0 works as a trigger for two timers. - T10 is a non retentive pulse timer and Q7.0 is an output coil.

Output coil Q7.0 and Q7.1 are energized as long as the two timers are running. If I7.0 is de-energized while T10 is running, T10 will stop running. But, that will not happen for T11. T11 will continue running and complete its specified time interval even if I7.0 de-energized.

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Here is timing diagram for all available timers in Step7.

Here is a network to see timing diagram of all available timers in Step7.

Knowing their function well will help to choose the right timers for an application.

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