Below you’ll find some of the most frequently asked questions about the GE Fanuc line of PLCs when it comes to tech support!
What software is available to program and troubleshoot GE Series 90-30 PLCs?
You have the choice of three different software packages for troubleshooting your GE 90-30. They are:
- Logicmaster 90-30. As the original software for the Series 90-30 PLC, it’s DOS-based for your convenience to run in Windows 95, 98, and 2000. Please note that this software isn’t supported by GE Fanuc in Windows XP and Vista environments. As a mature product, no further improvements are planned.
- VersaPro Standard Edition. This Windows-based package can run in 95, 98, 2000, and XP environments, although like the Logicmaster, it’s not supported by GE Fanuc in the Windows Vista environment. VersaPro Standard can program Series 90 Micros and even certain VersaMax Micro and modular PLCs. This is a mature product as well.
- Proficy Machine Edition Logic Developer PLC Standard Edition. Another Windows-based package, it can run in Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. This is the current software package for Series 90-30 PLCs and it supports all of the same PLCs that VersaPro Standard can as well as several of the newer Series 90-30 and VersaMax PLC that VersaPro Standard doesn’t. While improvements to this software aren’t ongoing, this is the only software that will support new Series 90-30 and VersaMax CPUs and modules as they become available.
When I try to download the configuration to my Series 90 CPU, the download fails because passwords are disabled. How do I fix this?
When you try to download a configuration where the CPU is configured for “Passwords Enabled” and the CPU being downloaded is set for “Passwords Disabled,” you get this error.
When you disable passwords in a Series 90 CPU, there’s only one way to download a configuration where the CPU is configured for “Passwords Enabled,” and that is to completely erase the memory in the target CPU.
You can do this by turning off the CPU, disconnecting the battery, and then turning the CPU back on with the battery still disconnected. This will enable the memory to clear. In some cases, you may have to clear the memory by shorting out a super-capacitor on the CPU module. This is done by removing the CPU from the baseplate and shorting across two solder pads labeled “MEM CLR” for about ten seconds.
Once the memory is erased, a configuration with “Passwords Enabled” can be downloaded onto the CPU.
Alternatively, you could also change the configuration being downloaded to a “Passwords Disabled” setting and then download the configuration onto the CPU. You should only do this when passwords aren’t a problem.
My Series 90 CPU stopped. How do I identify the cause?
Check the LEDs on your power supply as well as the CPU. Key ones to check are the POWER LED (which will indicate the health of your power supply) and the OK LED (which will indicate the health of your CPU). If both of these are fine, then use one of the available programming packages (the three software programs mentioned above) to connect to the Series 90 programming port and check the PLC and I/O fault tables. These will help you find the root cause of your problem. Note that if the OK LED light is out, the software won’t be able to communicate.
My PLC will not communicate to the programming port on my Series 90 CPU. What are the possible causes of this problem?
There could be several causes of the problem. They include:
- A bad port on the PC. You can try to use the PC’s serial port to communicate to another device in order to confirm proper operation.
- A bad cable. You can try connecting to another Series 90 PLC in order to confirm the condition of the cable.
- Incorrect communication settings. The default settings for the Series 90 CPU programming port are 19200 BAUD, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and odd parity. In cases where you think the setting may be changed and you have a copy of the PLC configuration, compare the CPU’s port configuration to your software’s port settings.
- A bad programming port. You can check the +5 volt pin (pin 5) on the programming port versus pin 7 (0 volts). If the +5 volts is not present, the fuse for that port is blown. This fuse is not field-replaceable.
If your problem isn’t solved after checking all these things, call our technical support specialists at 1-866-599-6507.
Can I program my Series 90-30 IC693 CPU364, CPU372, and CPU374 through the serial port on the CPU module?
No. This port is for the Ethernet Station Manager only!
Can I use the external 24VDC output on the Series 90-30 power supply to power external devices?
Yes, but you should be aware that using this output will reduce the amount of current available on the 24VDC output that goes to the Series 90-30 modules via the baseplate. There’s only 0.625A total available current on the 24VDC output of the power supply.
Don’t hesitate to contact our tech support department with any other questions regarding your GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLC at 1-866-599-6507. We’re always here to help at Qualitrol!
