Overview

You can edit the control project that is associated to a Modicon PAC by using Control Expert Editor, which opens inside the Topology Manager.

It lets you change the configuration of the PAC and perform actions that are not managed by the Topology Manager.

You can edit several control projects simultaneously from the same Topology Manager instance but one control project can only be edited by one user at a time.

NOTE: For M580 PACs, certain menus, parameters, and commands in Control Expert Editor are disabled. Typically, this indicates that you need to perform the corresponding configuration by using the Topology Manager.

For non-M580 controllers, Control Expert Editor opens with full functionality except for some commands of the File menu that are not available.

Prerequisites

To be able to edit the control project the analysis must not detect incorrect configurations for the M580 PAC and its dependencies.

Scope of Changes

You can modify the hardware configuration by adding, moving, replacing, and deleting:

  • Local main and extended backplanes.

  • Remote main and extended backplanes including EIO adapter modules.

  • I/O, communication, and other specialized modules.

  • Power supply modules.

  • CPU modules (replace only).

You can also create and modify any other part of the control project such as the application, data types and instances. You can configure project settings and options.

NOTE: For more information on how to use Control Expert Editor, refer to its help, which you can open from the Help menu inside the window.

Applying Changes to the System Project

Closing Control Expert Editor lets you save and apply changes.

Before you can save changes, the software analyzes the M580 PAC and its dependencies and you need to fix incorrect configurations.

When you save changes, changes to objects that are managed by the Topology Manager are applied to the system project. Other changes are saved to the control project only.

In addition, changes that you have made to the PAC in the system project while the control project was open are applied to the control project.

NOTE: If an operation that locks the system project is in progress when you close the control project, you cannot save changes. Wait for the operation to complete to close the control project and save changes.
NOTE: You can also apply changes to the system project and the control project and leave Control Expert Editor open.

Undoing Changes in the Topology Manager

Using the Undo command in the Topology Manager may undo changes that you have made to the control project and saved. Before proceeding, open the HISTORY pane to verify which action will be undone.

Editing and Closing the Control Project

To edit the control project associated to an M580 PAC, proceed as follows.

Step

Action

1

In a physical view or the SYSTEM PROJECT pane, right-click the rack of the PAC and select Edit Control Project .

Result: The PAC and its dependencies are analyzed. If no incorrect configuration is detected, the control project opens in Control Expert Editor.

2

Edit the control project.

3

Close Control Expert Editor by clicking the close button of its tab.

Result: The PAC and its dependencies are analyzed. If no incorrect configuration is detected, a dialog box prompting you to save changes opens.

4

In the dialog box, click either button:

  • Yes to save your changes and close the control project. The system project is updated.

  • No to discard changes and close the control project.

  • Cancel to close the dialog box and revert to Control Expert Editor.