FEC TIPS No.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of power is required? AC models operate on 120 /230 Vac 50/60Hz (15 VA). DC models require 24 Vdc The main power connections and Sensor Supply of both AC and DC models is protected by internal fuses. What types of sensors can be connected to the Inputs? The FEC controller accepts inputs from 24 Vdc sensors. The Inputs are arranged in groups and each group can individually be configured to work with NPN or PNP sensors. The Inputs require approximately 7 Ma of current and are opto-isolated and equipped with LED status indicators. What are the Sensor Supply terminals for? On FECs with AC supply connections, these terminals can supply up to 100mA to power sensors and/or Inputs, often eliminating the need for an additional power supply. On FEC-DC versions, these terminals are connected (via a fuse) to the Power terminals and the 100mA limitation does not apply. What kind of Outputs are provided? Currently there are two FEC models...the FC20 and the FC30. One of the areas whether they differ is the type of Outputs: (also refer to FEC TIPS No. 4)
The FEC FC20 (AC or DC) is equipped with relay contact outputs. The 8 outputs are arranged into 3 groups. Each group can be wired to switch different voltages. These contacts are rated at a maximum 30 Vdc, or 250 Vac at 2A. Each output should be fused externally according to system requirements. The FEC FC30 is equipped with 2 relay outputs rated the same as the FC20. In addition, it is equipped with 6 overload protected, transistor outputs rated at 0.6A at 24 Vdc.

Are solid state Outputs available? The FEC FC30 includes transistor outputs. Units with Solid-State relay outputs are also available upon request. Is Analog I/O supported? Modules with analog I/O are in development. Can the I/O be expanded? Yes. Two methods presently exist. Please refer to FEC TIPS No 4 for details. What kind of memory does the FEC have? Does it require a battery? The FEC stores user programs and retentive data in Flash memory. No battery is needed. What kind of programming software is available? Festo provides both Ladder Diagram and Statement List programming software as a single package. This fully-featured software is currently available without charge with the purchase of an FEC controller. (*see note below)

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Can I read-out my programs from the FEC to my PC? Yes. When loading programs into the FEC, the user may select whether or not to include program source code. If the user includes the source code, then it will be possible for anyone with FSTFEC software to retrieve, and subsequently modify, the programs. Can I block unauthorized access to the controller? Yes. The FEC includes a password feature which can be used to limit access to the controller in general. Does the FEC support Operator Interfaces? Yes. The primary communication port of the FEC is RS232 compliant. The available OWS software includes an editor for creating messages as well as software drivers for displaying messages and variables. Software drivers for data input are also included. What accessories parts are available? You may wish to obtain copies of An Introduction to Statement List Programming and Programming in Ladder Diagram (part no. 8348) as references. (*see note below)

PC to FEC-FC20 cable assembly (part no. 177431). This cable is used to transfer programs between your PC and the FEC, as well as on-line diagnostics and monitoring. PC to FEC-FC30 cable and RS232 adaptor (part no. 188935) FEC-FC20 to ABG cable assembly (part no. 13000965 - former 272382). This cable is used to connect the FECFC20 to the Festo family of ABG type operator interfaces. FEC-FC30 to ABG cable and RS232 adaptor (part number 189428). This cable is used to connect the FEC-FC30 to the Festo family of ABG type operator interfaces. Alternately you may also use part number 188935 plus part number 13000965) FEC I/O Expansion cable assembly (part no. 183635). For FEC-FC20 and FEC-FC30 OWS Display Software (part no. 272381). This software package integrates with FSTFEC and allows you to connect MMI devices (displays, keyboards, etc.) to the FEC. It includes a full editor for creating text messages as well as user-configurable program modules. Full support for the Festo ABG family, as well as generic displays is provided. (*see note below) * Note: Our website (www.festo-usa.com) contains free access to a variety of programming software, manuals and information.

I received the FSTFEC software....what should I do first? The Festo FEC Micro PLC is programmed using Festos FSTFEC Ladder Diagram and Statement List programming software. This software package is supplied on a single 3.5 diskette. The program is DOS-based, but may also be run under Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 and requires approximately 3.8 megabytes of hard disk space.

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To install the software, simply run the INSTALL.EXE (or SETUP.EXE) program contained on the diskette. You will be prompted for the drive/directory in which to install the programs. The suggested location is C:\FSTFEC. When the installation is complete you will find that the sub-directory C:\FSTFEC\DOC (if you selected the suggested location) was created. This directory contains complete documentation for the FSTFEC software in both Microsoft Word (FECREAD.DOC) and plain text (FECREAD.TXT). It is recommended that you print this documentation. Note: It is highly recommended that you at least browse through the documentation. Doing so will save you time and help you to achieve your goal efficiently. The FSTFEC software is started by running the FSTFEC.EXE program. The first time you start the program an error message will be displayed informing you that you must define a Project Path. This is normal. Press the ESC key to continue and a configuration screen will appear. The default Project Path is C:\FESTO. The FSTFEC software stores each of your projects (a project consists of all of the programs, data, etc. related to a particular control system) in a sub-directory of the configured project path. The software communicates with the FEC controller via an RS232 port of your PC. If you will not be using the COM1 port, then this can be changed by pressing the F5 key (IPC Access). You can then change the IPC Interface to match your PC. One last item should be configured at this point. Press the F2 function key (Printer). If you will print your programs on standard 8.5 x 11 paper, change the Lines/Page configuration from 80 to 66. Save your configuration and exit the software by pressing the F8 key.

How do I create a new control project?

Note: This tip only highlights the most important steps. Please refer to the supplied documentation for complete details. Start the FSTFEC software and chose Create project from the Project management pull-down menu. Enter a name and description for your project, then press the F1 key. The name of the currently active project appears at the lower left corner of the screen. All actions that you perform always apply to the currently selected project. I/O Configuration: Before beginning programming, you should perform an I/O configuration, which describes the FEC components you will use and how they will be addressed. Select I/O configuration from the Utilities menu. For a basic system (consisting only of a single FEC CPU module) use the following guidelines:

Press the F1 key to select Insert. Select FEC and press Enter. Enter 0 for the IW number and press Enter Enter 0 for the OW number and press the F1 key Press the F8 to Exit, followed by the Enter key

This procedure configured the Digital Inputs as I0.0-I0.7 & I1.0 to I0.3. The Digital Outputs were configured as O0.0 O0.7. Further assignment and configuration relating to Debounce, Fast Inputs, I/O expansion, Trimmer; as well as several operational features are possible, but optional. Refer to the manual for details. Using the Allocation list feature in the Utilities menu, you may (optionally) assign a Symbolic reference (nickname, alias) and description to each absolute controller element.

Organizing your programming task: The FSTFEC programming software allows you to divide your control task into easily manageable modules (rather than one large program) if you desire. Up to 64 programs plus 64 program modules may be stored in the controller and virtually any combination may be executed concurrently under software control. Ladder Diagram and Statement List programs may be freely intermixed.
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When using FSTFEC software, I sometimes see reference to IPC...what does this mean? The FSTFEC shareware software is a subset of a retail product known as FSTIPC. FSTIPC includes support for both the FEC as well as other Festo controllers. When you see IPC, simply think FEC. The FSTFEC shareware includes ALL relevant functionality for the FEC and is not crippled in any way.

How should I connect PNP or NPN sensors? The FEC inputs can be configured to accept either PNP or NPN sensors. The inputs are divided into (2) groups. Group 0 consists of 8 inputs while Group 1 contains 4 inputs. Each group may be configured to accept either PNP or NPN signals. Note: All inputs within a group MUST be configured to used the same polarity.
Terminals S0 and S1 act as common reference terminals for Input groups 0 and 1. Please refer to the following examples for Input wiring: Connecting PNP sensors to Input Group 0: Connecting NPN sensors to Input Group 0:

PnP

NPN

0V 24V
Sensor Supply

I0.0 I0.1 I0.2 I0.3

S0

24V 0V
Sensor Supply

I0.0 I0.1 I0.2 I0.3

S0

How should devices be connected to the FEC FC20 Outputs? The basic FEC FC20 is equipped with 8 relay outputs that are divided into one group of 4 outputs and two groups of 2 outputs. Each group has its own supply voltage terminal (C0, C1 or C2) which allows for the connection of up to 3 different voltages to be controlled. Each output can switch a maximum current of 2A at up to 30Vdc or 250Vac. Refer to the controller manual for additional rating data. Important note: Inductive loads should be equipped with suppression devices to extend contact life and minimize electrical transients. Using multiple Output voltages
Group 0 Group 1 Group 2

0
* (a) 0v

1 *

C0

4
* (b)

C1

C2
AC Line

* fuse

AC Neutral
+24vdc * fuse * The power supply and (as required) individual outputs should be fused appropriately. a. DC inductive loads should be equipped with protection diodes. b. AC inductive loads should be equipped with an RC network (as shown) or similar suppressive circuit. Many suppliers offer components with built-in suppression.

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What is the adjustment (potentiometer) located near the FEC RUN-STOP switch? This small potentiometer is internally connected to a 6-bit Analog to Digital converter and its value may be read by the users application program. In the Utilities / IO Configuration menu, this adjustment is identified as Trimmer and it can be associated with a user-defined Input Word (IW). Ive noticed that the FEC RUN LED sometimes blinks RED or GREEN...What does this mean? Regardless of the current color of the RUN LED, the blinking indicates that data is being transferred between the FECs serial port and an external device. This will occur during program loading and in On-Line modes etc. After selecting Delete All Programs from the ON-LINE mode, sometimes my old programs seem to return! What is wrong? Nothing is wrong! The FEC controller actually has (2) memory areas. When you load your programs to the FEC they are stored in non-volatile Flash memory. During power-on or moving the RUN-STOP switch to the RUN position, the programs stored in Flash memory are copied and then executed from RAM memory. When you select to DELETE the program memory, you are only deleting the current contents of the RAM memory area. As a safety factor against accidental program erasure, the existing programs can be restored. The Flash memory (and thus the RAM memory) will be updated when you choose to Load Programs. When programming in Statement List (STL) the PSE instruction isnt allowed. Why? For those familiar with other Festo controllers, the PSE instruction is used to mark the end of a parallel program (no STEPs are used). The FEC doesnt require (or accept) the PSE instruction. STL programs without STEPs will process continually without the PSE instruction. How can I implement program features that dont seem to be supported by STL or Ladder? The feature set of the FST software is extended by means of Program Modules and Function Blocks. The library of modules is constantly be extanded. Your FST software shipped with a number of Function Blocks. These are described in the Appendix of the FSTFEC documentation. Can I connect 2 FECs together? Yes. You can connect 2 FECs together. The second FEC is then used as an I/O expander. The units are connected together using cable 183635. The remote (expander) FEC must be set in the following way:

RUN/STOP switch must be set to STOP No executable programs should be loaded into the FEC memory.]

To check that the remote FEC memory is cleared follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Connect the remote FEC to your PC using the FECs COM port. Start the FSTFEC software. Choose Utilities / Program Execution / File Operations. Press the F1 key followed by the F7 key. Enter B as the IPC drive. If either PROJECT.RUN or STARTUP.BAT exist, they should be deleted using the F1 key.

Can I connect more than 2 FECs together? Can I mix FEC-FC20s and FC30s? Yes and yes! Please refer to FEC TIPS No.4 for more details

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