Using Autoconfiguration Or Programmer Configuration; Autoconfiguration; Software Configuration - GE VersaMax PLC User Manual

5.1 Using Autoconfiguration or Programmer
Configuration
70 GFK-1503E
For public disclosure
VersaMax PLCs can be either autoconfigured or configured from a programmer using
configuration software. Both types of configuration are described in this chapter.

5.1.1 Autoconfiguration

Autoconfiguration occurs at powerup, when the PLC CPU automatically reads the
configuration of the modules installed in the system and creates the overall system
configuration. Modules that have software-configurable features can only use their default
settings when autoconfigured.

5.1.2 Software Configuration

Most PLC systems use a customized configuration that is created using configuration
software and stored to the CPU from a programmer.
The CPU retains a software configuration across power cycles. After a software
configuration is stored to the CPU, the CPU will not autoconfigure when power-cycled.
The configuration software can be used to:
• Create a new configuration
• Store (write) a configuration to the CPU
• Load (read) an existing configuration from a CPU
• Compare the configuration in a CPU with a configuration file stored in the
programmer
• Clear a configuration that was previously stored to the CPU
The CPU stores a software configuration in its non-volatile RAM. Storing a configuration
disables autoconfiguration, so the PLC will not overwrite the configuration during
subsequent startups.
However, actually clearing a configuration from the programmer does cause a new
autoconfiguration to be generated. In that case, autoconfiguration is enabled until a
configuration is stored from the programmer again.
One of the parameters that can be controlled by the software configuration is whether the
CPU reads the configuration and program from Flash at powerup, or from RAM. If Flash
is the configured choice, the CPU will read a previously-stored configuration from its
Flash memory at powerup. If RAM is the choice, the CPU will read a configuration and
application program from its RAM memory at powerup.
VersaMax PLC User Manual