Configuration Sequence

The following table presents the sequence to follow in order to configure the system time stamping in Control Expert:

Step

Action

1

Set Control Expert project settings.

2

Create an application in Control Expert with time stamping modules. Select the appropriate time stamping modules.

3

Set the time stamping module time sources parameters.

4

Select the events to time stamp.

5

Set the time stamped event parameters.

Time stamping module buffer parameters are preset.

Project Settings

In Control Expert software, to allow system time stamping, adjust the Project Settings by clicking Tools > Project Settings > General .

Data Dictionary Configuration

Click General > PLC Embedded data and select the Data dictionary check box. This setting allows any client (SCADA using OFS) to animate and modify all symbolized variables of the application embedded in the PLC memory without needing to synchronize it again with Control Expert application or with.XVM export file generated by Control Expert. It also allows to make OFS variables consistent with PLC application.

The Data dictionary table is necessary because time stamped events are mapped on symbolized variables.

Time Stamping Parameters

Click General > Time to reach time stamping parameter:

In Time field, set the time stamping mode and time zone:

Subfield

Value for System Time Stamping

Description

Time Stamping Mode

System

Select System to enable system time stamping.

Max events stored

See description.

Only available for System Time Stamping, this value (between 0 and 32000) defines the maximum number of time stamping events that can be stored in the PLC global event buffer. See the PLC > Memory Consumption... to know the memory size used and refine this value if needed.

Default value (minimum) = 2 * number of events configured * 100 / (100 - buffer full threshold), where:

  • number of events configured = PLC internal variables configured as events in Control Expert.

  • buffer full threshold = 50 (threshold percentage value).

NOTE: When building the project, if this value is too small a message gives the exact value to select.

Custom TimeZone

Enabled or Disabled

Gives the possibility to define your own time zone. If checked the option:

  • Time Zone in UTC time cannot be selected.

  • Time Offset can be adjusted.

  • Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving can be configured.

Time Zone

(1.)

Can be selected if Custom TimeZone is disabled only.

Allows you to select the wanted time zone in the list of standard time zone.

Time Offset

(1.)

Can be selected if Custom TimeZone is enabled only.

Allows you to add an offset to the current local time between -1439...1439 minutes.

Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving

(1.)

Can be selected if Custom TimeZone is enabled only.

Enabled: In the START Daylight Saving and END Daylight Saving fields, enter the month, day of the week, occurrence range, hour, minute, second, and offset from the respective dropdown lists.

Disabled (by default): The START Daylight Saving and END Daylight Saving fields are disabled because their times are automatically changed in the spring and fall every year.

NOTE: Automatic clock adjust for daylight saving change is not implemented on Modicon Premium range. You are advised not to activate this useless feature (No internal or external action is performed when this function is activated).

(1.)

START Daylight Saving

(1.)

END Daylight Saving

1. No specific value required for system time stamping, depends on Custom TimeZone subfield value.

Time stamped events are marked in UTC values and the time zone settings allow to convert GPS local time to UTC values in BMX ERT 1604 T.

NOTE: When the source of time stamped events is a BM• CRA 312 10 module, the time zone settings have no influence on time stamped events (the module uses UTC time from the NTP server) but the time zone settings are used for diagnostic purpose (local time is needed).
NOTE: The daylight saving time settings are not applicable to the BMX ERT 1604 T module because this module gets the daylight saving time switching information from the external clock (DCF77 or IRIG-B 004/5/6/7 time code). IRIG-B 004/5/6/7 has to support IEEE-1344 extensions (2004 update) or IEEE C37.118 in order to provide the Daylight Saving Time information.