PS Sheet

PS 62.1:VL2000(A)
October 2003 ValveLink Software

Using the AMS ValveLinkR VL2000 Modbus

Interface
AMS ValveLinkR Software, Type VL2021 and Type
VL2031, include Modbus communication capability. DCS Serial
Interface Passed to DCS via Modbus
Acting as a Modbus Slave, it provides improved EXISTING
visibility of valve operations at a control system DCS
operators console. It allows operators to
continuously monitor valve conditionon a process HART
graphic display. It also allows system engineers to INTERCHANGE
integrate instrument parameters into process control
schemes. System engineers can also monitor and Digital Valve
trend valve operation and correlate it against Controller
process data using the control systems data FIELD Information from
historian capability. TERM HART network

With the ValveLink Modbus interface, critical

information can be passed to any control system or
instrument information database that has a Modbus
interface. Table 1 lists the data that can be
communicated over the interface. This provides a
gateway for the alert status and analog information
available from DVC5000 and DVC6000 Series digital
valve controllers and allows using this information Figure 1. Using the Modbus Interface to Communicate
within the control system. FIELDVUE Instrument Data to a Control System

Typically, an operator will want to see the actual

valve travel, brought back from the DVC5000 or
DVC6000, in order to verify that it is properly
following the 4 - 20 mA current signal. With some
control systems, this can be shown on a graphic
display as a 0 - 100% bar. Additionally, critical alert
status also can be displayed. This may be any of the
alerts listed in table 1 or it may be an Overall
Instrument status that indicates that at least one of
the other alerts is active. The PC that is running
ValveLink can be placed in a location that is
convenient for the operator or maintenance
personnel. When an operator sees an alert or other
problem on the console display, ValveLink Software
can then be used to check detailed status.
PC Requirements
AMS ValveLink Software, version 6.2 is supported
on Windows NT, 2000 and XP. Personal computers
manufactured by Dell, Inc. are recommended,
however, version 6.2 runs on any IBM-compatible
PC or notebook computer equipped with the
necessary features.
Other requirements include:
D A Pentiumt-class processor with a minimum
clock speed of 400 mHz.

D At least 256 megabytes (MB) of random-access

memory (RAM)
For information on setting up and using the Modbus
interface and Type VL2021 and VL2031 ValveLink D A CD-ROM drive with a minimum 4x read/write
software, refer to the AMS ValveLink Software online
help. (continued on page 2)

www.Fisher.com
 PS Sheet
PS 62.1:VL2000(A)
ValveLink Software October 2003

Table 1. DVC5000 and DVC6000 Series Digital Valve Sound cards and telephone modems are
Controller Data Communicated via the Modbus Interface discouraged, since they sometimes conflict with the
ANALOG VALUES ALERT STATUS COM ports.
Travel Deviation
Travel Alert 1 High
Travel Alert 1 Low
Travel Alert 2 High An UPS (un-interruptible power supply) for the PC
Travel Alert 2 Low should also be considered, if the data from
Travel Accumulator ValveLink is considered critical to plant operations.
Cycle Counter
Drive Signal
Auxiliary Input
Travel Sensor Fail
Pressure Sensor Fail
Valve Travel
Temperature Sensor Fail
Input Current
Drive Current Fail
Actuator Pressure
Configuration Changed
Instrument Temperature
Communication Error
Out of Service
OverAll Instrument Status
Flash Integrity Error
Reference Voltage Failure Modbus Communication Specifications
Supply Pressure Alert
Integrator Saturated High
Integrator Saturated Low
Power Starvation Alert Modbus protocol
Valve Stuck Alert
Pressure Deviation Alert RTU or ASCII
Function Codes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 (subfunction 0)
Slave Address 1 - 255 (user selectable)

PC Requirements (continued) Baud Rate

D 40 MB of disk space for the AMS ValveLink
Software with no trending. 300 to 19.2 Kb

100 MB of disk space is required for the AMS

ValveLink Software utilizing trending. Data Types

D 256-Color VGA monitor (800 x 600 pixel Function Codes 1 & 2Alert Status
resolution) Function Codes 3 & 4Analog Values
IEEE double precision floating point
D Parallel printer port Signed Integer
Scaled Integer
D Two COM ports: one for the HART multiplexer
network and one for Modbus communication.
Electrical Connection to System
Additional COM ports can be purchased from PC
suppliers. RS-232 or RS-485

2
 PS Sheet
PS 62.1:VL2000(A)
October 2003 ValveLink Software

Control System Control System Serial Cable

Serial Interface
Serial Cable Serial Interface
3 conductor
cable max.

3000 meters

A
B
G

PC running AMS PC running AMS

ValveLink Software ValveLink Software
9 or 25 Pin D shell Null Modem Adapter
Serial connector 3 connections RS - 232/485 converter

Figure 2. RS-232 Modbus Connection Figure 3. RS-485 Modbus Connection

Some control systems use an RS-485 connection,

shown in figure 3. In this case, a serial cable
connects the ValveLink PC to an RS-232/485
converter. A second cable connects the RS-485
converter to the control system. Maximum length of
this cable can generally be 3,000 meters (9,000
Modbus Connections feet).

You can use either an RS-232 or an RS485 Note

connection to connect the PC running AMS
ValveLink Software to the control system. Figure 2
shows the RS232 connection. With an RS-232
connection, one of the serial (COM) ports on the
ValveLink PC is used for the Modbus
communications. From this serial port (9 or 25 pin), a
serial cable with null modem adapter can be run to
the control system serial port.
Fisher does not assume responsibility
for the selection, use, or maintenance
of any product. Responsibility for
proper selection, use, and
maintenance of Fisher product
remains solely with the purchaser and
end-user.

3
 PS Sheet
PS 62.1:VL2000(A)
ValveLink Software October 2003

ValveLink and Fisher are marks owned by Fisher Controls International LLC, a business of Emerson Process Management. The Emerson
logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
The contents of this publication are presented for informational purposes only, and while every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy,
they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use
or applicability. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of such products at any time without notice.
Fisher does not assume responsibility for the selection, use or maintenance of any product. Responsibility for proper selection, use and
maintenance of any Fisher product remains solely with the purchaser and end user.

Emerson Process Management

Fisher
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 USA
Cernay 68700 France
Sao Paulo 05424 Brazil
Singapore 128461
www.Fisher.com

EFisher
4 Controls International LLC 1997, 2003; All Rights Reserved Printed in USA