SITRAIN

Troubleshooting

© Siemens AG 2010. All rights reserved.

Objectives

The participant should ...

... be able to classify occurring errors as "Errors detected by the system"

and "Functional errors"

... be able to read out the diagnostic buffer, interpret it and use it
for troubleshooting

... be able to read out the hardware diagnosis

... be able to apply the "Monitor/Modify Variables" test function

... be able to interpret the displays of the "Monitor" test function in the
LAD/FBD Editor and use them for troubleshooting

... be able to read out the reference data, interpret them and use them
for troubleshooting

... understand the "Enable peripheral outputs" and "Force" functions

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Categories of Errors

Errors Detected by the System

• Recording, evaluating and indicating
errors within a PLC
• Module failure
• Short-circuit in signal cables
• Scan time overrun
• Programming error (accessing a
non-existing block)

Functional Errors
• Desired function is either not executed at all
or is not correctly executed
• Process fault (sensor/actuator, cable defective)
• Logical programming error (not detected
during creation and startup)

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STEP7 – Debugging Tools, Overview
Error

Error detected by the System: Functional Error:

(such as, accessing a non-existent DB) (Process fault, e.g. wire break)
(Diagnostic interrupt of a signal module) (Logical programming error, e.g. double assignment)

Debugging tools:
Debugging tools:
• Module Information
• Monitor / Modify Variables
- Diagnostic buffer
• Monitor Blocks (Block status)
• Hardware Diagnostics
• Reference Data
- Central and distributerd I/O
- Cross reference lists
- Assignment of I/Q/M
- Program structure
- Unused symbols

Regardless of the cause of the error you could use:

• Enable Peripheral Outputs (control outputs)
• Force
• LED statuses
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Online & Diagnostics - Functions

Online & diagnostics

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Diagnostics: Diagnostics Buffer

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Error Messages in the Diagnostics Buffer

Detected error

System response

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Opening a Faulty Block

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"Monitor Block"

Switch on / off Monitor

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"Monitor Block": Display Formats

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"Monitor/Modify Variables": Watch Tables

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"Monitor / Modify Variables": Trigger Points

PII

Trigger point
"Beginning of
Scan Cycle" Show / hide all
modify columns Modify variables Monitor variables
Show / hide all once / by trigger by trigger / once
trigger columns

Cyclic
program
execution
Trigger point
"Transition to STOP"

Trigger point
"End of Scan Cycle"

PIQ

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"Enable Peripheral Outputs"

"Enable peripheral outputs"

CPU must be in STOP
Immediately control variables,

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"Force Variables"

Activate Force Deactivate Force

FORCE task is active

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Reference Data: Call Structure

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Reference Data: Dependency Structure

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Reference Data: Assignment of I, A, M

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Reference Data: Resources (Memory Utilization)

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Reference Data: Cross-references of PLC Tags

Display of where it is used

(also for HMI)

Click to jump to the point of

use

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Reference Data: Cross-references of a Tag

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Reference Data: Unused PLC Tags

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Comparing Blocks (1)

Start
Start detail comparison synchronization

Select synchronization action

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Comparing Blocks (2)

Navigation to
the differences

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Exercise 1: Opening a Faulty Project and
Downloading PLC_1

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Exercise 2: Errors Detected by the System: Reading
Out the Diagnostics Buffer

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Exercise 3: Logical Errors:
Double Assignment Reference Data

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