We will now look at the data logging capability using our Click plus PLC.
Data logging is the collection of data over time. This is usually used for data analysis at a later time. The amount of data (System Information) stored and the frequency of the storage will depend on your specific application.
The hardware used to store the data is usually called a data logger. Using the information from our last post, the MQTT information collected (Temperature in Atlanta and Click Analog) will now be logged in two different ways. A micro SD card on the Click Plus will be used to store the data every minute in a CSV (Comma Separated Value) file. Node-RED will also be used to store the same data in a SQL database. Let’s get started on how to use these data loggers. Keep on Reading!
Category Archives: IoT Software
Node-RED SQL Database Spreadsheet Connection
We will now look at the connection to our SQL database using a spreadsheet application. Previously we used Node-RED to communicate Modbus TCP and RTU to our Click PLC and Solo Temperature Controller. The information collected from the controllers was then put into an SQLite SQL database.
Spreadsheets like Excel are great for analysis of the data. We will be connecting to our SQLite SQL database with WPS spreadsheets. This will be accomplished by using an ODBC driver as the translator between the database and spreadsheet. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
Node-RED SQL Database Log – Modbus Logging
Node-RED can easily log data to a database. SQL (Structured Query Language) can be used to communicate to a SQL database. Databases separate analysis from the data unlike spreadsheets like Excel. The database is designed to hold more information than spreadsheets and allow multiple users to access the information.
We will be creating an SQLite SQL database. SQLite Studio will be used to design the structure of the database. (Tables) Installing the node-red-sqlite-node palette will allow us to log the information from our Solo process temperature controller, Click PLC, and dashboard variables. Let’s get started. Continue Reading!
Click Plus Software Installation Version 3.00
The Click Plus PLC has now been released. This can only be programmed with version 3.00 or higher of the Click Programming Software. Version 3.00 will program all of the Click PLC CPU units and add additional features to the Click Ethernet CPU units.
Features of the new Click PLUS PLC (C2-0xCPU) includes the following:
• Micro USB
• DHCP support
• DNS support
• Wi-Fi (programming and Modbus TCP)
• Bluetooth (Wi-Fi) provisioning
• SD Card (Data Logging)
• Data Logger
• Network Time Service
• MQTT (Publish/Subscribe)
• Required PLC Password
• Disable Ports
• Strong Password Support
• Disable Ping Response
• Encrypted Password Transfer
We will be installing version 3.00 of the Click programming software on our windows 10 computer. After starting the software we will review some of the new features. Let’s get started. Keep on Reading!
Node-RED Modbus RTU / TCP Communication
Node-RED can easily connect to industrial controls using Modbus communication. Modbus is a master-slave type of communication. Masters will always send the commands to read or write to the slaves on the network. The slaves will respond if the communication is directed at them.
We will be installing the node-red-contrib-modbus palette. This will allow us to communicate Modbus serial (RS485) RTU to a Solo process temperature controller. We will then use Modbus Ethernet TCP to communicate to a Click PLC.
Note: When using Modbus TCP (Ethernet) the master is referred to as the Client and the slave is a Server.
Node-RED will be used to create a single Modbus flow. We will communicate to our Solo process temperature controller using Modbus RTU on a serial RS485 network. The present and set values of the controller will be read. These values will then be written to our Click PLC using an Ethernet Modbus TCP network. A set value from an analog input on the Click will be used to then write to the Solo. This will happen every 200 milliseconds or 5 times per second.
Let’s get started using Node-RED for Modbus communication. Continue Reading!