MICRO PANEL GS-2 Troubleshooting and Debugging

Communication card cables must use shielded cables with a copper braided shielding layer. The connector housing should be made of metal or metalized, with a tin plated surface, and galvanized or yellow passivated surfaces should not be used. The cable shielding layer should be directly connected to the panel side connector housing, and connected to the GS-2 housing through screws and plug metal shields. Avoid transferring communication cables through terminals, as terminals cannot guarantee shielded connections of equal quality. If separation is necessary between control cabinets, D-Sub connectors with metal casings or connection systems with similar EMC characteristics should be used. If GS-2 and PLC are installed in different control cabinets, and the shielding layer is directly or indirectly grounded at the PLC end, equipotential connection wires need to be set between the control cabinets to prevent excessive compensation current from occurring in the shielding layer and shielding terminals.

If the download cable is only connected during debugging, maintenance, and testing, it can be left unshielded; If it is also connected during normal operation, shielded cables must be used, and the shielding layer is connected to the GS-2 housing through a metal connector housing. The printer cable should also use shielded cables and be grounded according to the printer manufacturer's requirements.

Recommended steps for shielding connections: Peel off the cable; Shorten the exposed shielding braid by about 3 cm; flip the braid back into the cable sheath; Cover the folded shielding braid with heat shrink tubing or insulation tape, leaving 5 to 8 mm of exposed shielding at the sheath end; Install connectors; Fix the cable, along with the exposed shield and sheath, under the cable clamp of the connector housing.

System Mask: Status and Download

GS-2 has two important system masks: status mask (TROUBLE SHOOTING) and download mask (PROJECT UP -/DOWNLOAD).

The status mask is activated by the operating system during system failures, such as inability to establish communication with the PLC during startup or communication interruption during operation. It displays system configuration, memory status, and communication status. Touch the screen to return to normal operation mode and perform pre settings. The fields include: POS version, PDT version, communication driver, memory capacity, system memory status, communication card status, PLC link status, pre-set data status, PROG PORT application and status. If "BOARD TYPE" displays OK, it indicates that the communication card has been initialized; PLC LINK "displays NOK, indicating that communication with PLC has not been established; The 'PRESSET DATA' displays NOK, indicating that the preset was not successful. The memory area should all display OK or "-".

Download the mask by pressing the DOWNLOAD button. It provides the transmission function of project data between PC and GS-2, as well as system clock settings. The display content includes: POS version, PDT version, communication card firmware version, communication card identification, communication driver, hardware configuration, project data memory capacity, PLC driver. The clock settings include minutes, hours, days, months, and years, which can be adjusted by adding or subtracting touch zones. The project name, Transfer Active status, START, and EXIT buttons are all in this mask. When Transfer Active flashes, it indicates that data transfer can start from the PC. The data type, total number of blocks, and current number of transmitted blocks are displayed below.

Debugging steps and communication establishment

Before debugging, ensure that the WRITE ENABLE switch of SMM is turned off. Check if the communication card configuration is correct. Connect the GS-2 power terminal to a 24V power supply, but do not connect the PLC for now. After power on, the system will run SYSTEM CHECK&STARTUP and display the demonstration project. After a few seconds, due to the failure to establish PLC communication, a TROUBLE SHOOTING status mask will appear. At this time, check the memory status, which should be all OK or "-"; The communication status should be BOARD TYPE OK, PLC LINK NOK, PRESSET DATA NOK. Touch the screen to return the project mask.

Press the DOWNLOAD button to enter the download mask. Turn the WRITE ENABLE switch of SMM to ON. Use a download cable to connect the ROG PORT of GS-2 to COM1 or COM2 of the PC. Press START in the download mask, and Transfer Active will start flashing. At this point, the project can be transmitted through PDT software. After the download is complete, GS-2 automatically restarts, displaying the system test first, followed by the first project mask, and then enters TROUBLE SHOOTING again due to the PLC not being connected. At this point, the WRITE ENABLE switch must be turned back to OFF.

Next, connect the communication cable to the communication card and PLC communication port. GS-2 will automatically establish communication, and PLC LINK will change from NOK to OK. Touch the screen, GS-2 will perform the first preset, and then enter normal operation. If communication still cannot be established, check the communication card configuration, whether the communication driver is initialized, cable wiring, PLC side protocol, and baud rate.