AutomationDirect Logo General / Misc. Issues Frequently Asked Questions

 

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Question: Do you carry a protocol converter?
Answer: No.Try Black Box at 877-877-BBOX(2269) or www.blackbox.com
FAQ ID: 406

Question: Is it necessary to be on line to setup the secondary communication port?
Answer: Yes. The PC must be connected and online to setup the secondary communication port of any of our PLCs.
FAQ ID: 456

Question: Can I convert a text string to a numeric or is there any other way to send text to the PLC?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 576

Question: Can I manually address a module in a slave rack?
Answer: No, only in the master rack.
FAQ ID: 577

Question: Do you offer a Devicenet master?
Answer: Not at this time.
FAQ ID: 578

Question: Do you offer analog converters?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 620

Question: Can I program a CPU without the I/O modules installed?
Answer: Yes.
FAQ ID: 642

Question: Can I use remote I/O with a modem?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 675

Question: Do you sell modem connection cables?
Answer: No, we do not.
FAQ ID: 676

Question: Do your Ethernet modules support SNMP ( or ModbusTCP, or HTTP, or SMTP or FTP or TELNET ) protocol?
Answer: Not at this time.
FAQ ID: 677

Question: How can I resize the Bitmaps from Symbol Factory when using Dynamic and Static bitmaps?
Answer: While Symbol Factory is open, move your cursor to the lower right hand corner of the "Preview Window", when you get the 2 arrows it will allow you to size the object.
FAQ ID: 678

Question: Do we have recommended Radio Modems?
Answer: Sure, Click Here.
FAQ ID: 807

Question: Will ADC High Speed Counter Modules work with Absolute Encoders?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 808

Question: Can a F4-MASMB go into a rack other than a CPU rack?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 809

Question: Can I have 24vdc on CTRINT outputs?
Answer: No
FAQ ID: 811

Question: Can you control the panel Beep to generate an Alarm from the PLC?
Answer: Yes, In the Project Attributes, under PLC to Panel there is a Beeper control (discrete) selection that allows you to control the panel beep from the PLC.
FAQ ID: 812

Question: Do our PLCs offer MODBUS ASCII communication?
Answer: No.
FAQ ID: 813

Question: What are NEC and CEC?
Answer:
  • NEC is National Electric Code created and published by the National Fire Protection Association. It is revised every three years and sets the general electrical standards for USA.
  • CEC is the Canadian Electric Code which means the provincial version of the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) manual published every two to three years.
The NEC or CEC do not have the force of law, some locations have adopted them, and others have not. Always check with the local municipalities for proper guidelines.
FAQ ID: 839

Question: I'm using a H2-SERIO. I need to communicate RS 422/485 which converter do I need to use?
Answer: The FA-ISONET. The F2-Unicon will NOT work since the RJ-12 ports of the SERIO card do not supply 5Vdc to power the converter
FAQ ID: 880

Question: Does the Wonderware "InControl" software support the AutomationDirect H2-EBC and the H4-EBC.
Answer: InControl does Support the AutomationDirect H2-EBC/H4-EBC, they they have not added drivers to support the new AutomationDirect Terminator I/O.......Please check with Wonderware for the latest info on the drivers that they support. Wonderware Intouch, InTrack, etc will need a server that supports EBCs, like Our KepDirect server. Connections from Wonderware to our PLC products via ECOM modules will require our PC-DSDATA package as a server.
FAQ ID: 901

Question: I cannot open your DWG files in my version of AutoCAD. How can I see the AutoCAD version a DWG file is saved in? Do you have any sources for conversion software?
Answer: Yes. Open the DWG file with Windows Notepad There will be an entry "ACxxx" at the beginning of the file.
    ACxxxx = Autocad file format
  • AC1021 = 2007
  • AC1018 = 2004/2005/2006
  • AC1015 = 2000/2000i/2002
  • AC1500 = Release T
  • AC1014 = R14
  • AC1013 = Early R14
  • AC1012 = R13
  • AC1011 = Late R13
  • AC1010 = Early R13
  • AC1009 = R12

AutoDesk has a free utility program available on the internet if you need to convert AutoCad files versions/formats.
'DWG TrueView Download'
NOTE!
We have not extensively tested this software and they are not affiliated with AutomationDirect.
FAQ ID: 1217

Question: InstallShield -5006 : 0x80070002 error Installing C-More, DirectSoft or other software packages
Answer: InstallShield "-5006 : 0x80070002" errors
  1. Reboot your pc
  2. Login as an Administrator
  3. Explore your PC's C:\ drive
  4. Find the "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield" folder
  5. Rename it to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield-backup" <<< DO NOT DELETE IT!
  6. Reboot your PC
  7. Login as an Administrator
  8. Disable all Antivirus packages
  9. Run the C-More installer again.

This may work.
The problem is that the C-More and most other programs use InstallShield as an Installer.
InstallShield looks for a previous install of InstallShield (probably from a previous SW package you used) in "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield" and will try to use it if exists.
If that copy is corrupted or of a previous incompatible version the install will fail. If it doesn't exist the installer will put a fresh copy of InstallShield in the folder and use it.
If you rename the folder, InstallShield will be forced to install a fresh copy in "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield"
If this does not work, rename the new InstallShield folder and rename the backup InstallShield copy you made. If this failed you probably have PC issues that will require the help of an IT professional.
There is more information on the Internet if you Google Search by the following terms note the quotes!!
InstallShield "-5006 : 0x80070002"
Here is a link to do that

Google Search Installshield
FAQ ID: 1220

Question: What can I use to debug my serial communications (ASCII) issues? HyperTerm doesn't appear to work very well.
Answer: Hyperterm is not a very good debugging tool for ASCII communications. It is just a terminal and was never really meant to be used for debugging communications.
A better tool is a true HEX terminal such as RealTerm RealTerm on SourceForge that can display the actual HEX values that you receive or send. RealTerm can allow you to log the incoming data to a file and or send a file of ASCII text.
FAQ ID: 1226

Question: What are the pinouts (connections) for the FA-15HD?
Answer:
FA15HD Wiring Pinout
RJ12 Jack HD 15 male
Pin 1 Pin 7
Pin 2& 5 Pin 1
Pin 3 Pin 3
Pin 4 Pin 2
Pin 6 Pin 8
Pin 4 & 5 Jumper
Connector numbering
RJ-12 RJ12
Tab Pointed Up (Wire pointed away)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 
HD 15 Male 
Pin side (Wire pointed away)
Top     1    2    3    4     5
Middle   6    7    8    9   10
Bottom    11  12  13   14  15
FAQ ID: 1254

Question: Using DirectSoft and other software with Windows 7
Answer: Windows 7 and Directsoft
FAQ ID: 1284

Question: Can the Hx-ECOM use SMTP Authentication in EMail? and help in using ECOM100 Email)
Answer: Yes;
(From HOST Engineering FirmWare notes)
FW Version
4.0.210 H0-ECOM100
4.0.1397 H2-ECOM100 & H4-ECOM100

Added Email Authentication to the web browser configuration page - you cannot access this feature via NetEdit3 or the ECEMSUP IBox at this time, those will be added later.
To access this feature, use a web browser to bring up the ECOM100's web configuration page, go to the Email Setup page, click 'Enable Authentication' and enter the username and password in the fields provided

Host Engineering has an excellent document for help using EMail from the ECOM100 here;
EMail Theory Of Operation
FAQ ID: 1294