Modbus Communication; Modscan32 - Phoenix Contact Nanoline Series User Manual

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3.4

Modbus communication

Network communication uses the Modbus TCP protocol when using the Ethernet module.
When communicating to the Nanoline using either the RS-232 or RS-485 option module,
communication is via the Modbus RTU protocol.
A remote Modbus Client, such as ModScan32 from WinTECH Software Design available at
www.win-tech.com/html/modbus1.htm, can be used to communicate with the Nanoline,
which functions as a server device.
In addition to Modscan32, the following software may be required.
– Easy IPAssign can be used to configure a specific IP Address on the Nanoline when the
Ethernet module is connected. This is available at www.phoenixcontact.com.
– Wireshark is available for download at www.wireshark.org. This provides various
network diagnostics, particularly as a network sniffer to locate assigned IP Addresses.
Table 3-3 shows the configuration parameters that apply to the Modbus TCP as
implemented in the NLC-COM-ENET-MB1 Ethernet module, and Modbus RTU as
implemented in the NLC-MOD-RS485 or NLC-MOD-RS232 option modules. The data
definition scan rate for Modbus is set to 500 ms, and the Delay Between Polls is set to 1 ms.
Table 3-3 Modbus TCP and RTU configuration parameters
Write Mode Read/write mode
Read-only mode
Watchdog 0.0 to 25.5 seconds
Fault Fault setting
Warning setting
Modbus TCP configurations are located in the COM Interface configuration, and
Modbus RTU configurations are located in the base unit configuration under Base Option
Slot #1 in nanoNavigator.
For more information on Modbus visit www.modbus.org. Additional Modbus tools can be
found at www.modbustools.com.
3.4.1

ModScan32

ModScan32 is a software application that operates as a Modbus master. It provides the
ability to change data points in a connected slave device using either the RTU or ASCII
Transmission mode. The following provides a few common procedures that can be
accomplished using ModScan32.
Allows read/write Modbus functions
Allows only the Modbus read function
Sets the delay before an error message is initiated
Communication
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