Hardware Configuration and Parameter Assignment

HW Configuration

The modules are supplied from the factory with preset parameters. If these

default settings are OK, a hardware configuration is not necessary.

A configuration is necessary:

• if you want to modify preset parameters or addresses of a module (such as

to enable the hardware interrupt of a module)

• if you want to configure communication connections

• with stations that have distributed peripherals (PROFIBUS-DP)

• with S7-400  stations that have several CPUs (multicomputing) or

expansion racks

• with fault-tolerant programmable logic controllers (option package).

Setpoint Configuration 

When you configure a system, a setpoint configuration is created. It contains a hardware station with the planned modules and the associated parameters. The

PLC system is assembled according to the setpoint configuration. During

commissioning, the setpoint configuration is downloaded to the CPU.

Actual Configuration

In an assembled system, the actual existing configuration and parameter

assignment of the modules can be uploaded from the CPU. This creates a new

HW station in the project.

A configuration upload is necessary, for example, if the project structure does

not exist locally at the PG. After the actual configuration is read out, you can set

parameters and add part numbers.

Notes

With the S7-400, the CPU can be assigned parameters in such a way, that

when there are differences between the setpoint configuration and the actual

configuration, the CPU startup is interrupted.

To call the HW Config tool, there must be a hardware station in the SIMATIC

Manager.

Starting the HW Configuration Editor

HW Config

This tool helps you configure, assign parameters to and diagnose the hardware.

Starting HW Config

To start the HW Config tool:

• select a hardware station in the SIMATIC Manager and choose the Edit --> Open Object menu or

• double-click the hardware object.

"Hardware Configuration"

This is a window in the "HW Config“ application you use for inserting components from the "Hardware Catalog" window.

The title bar of this window contains the name of the project and the station

name.

"Hardware Catalog"

To open the catalog:

• select the View -> Catalog menu or

• click the icon in the toolbar.

If “Standard” is selected as the catalog profile, all racks, modules and interface

modules are available in the "Hardware Catalog" window.

You can create your own catalog profiles containing frequently used elements

by selecting the menu options Options -> Edit Catalog Profiles.

You can add Profibus Slaves that do not exist in the catalog later on. To add

slaves, you use GSE files that are provided by the manufacturer of the slave

device. The GSE file contains a description of the device. To include the slave in

the hardware catalog, use the Options -> Install New GSE Files menu and then

Options -> Update Catalog. You will find the new devices in the catalog under

Profibus, additional field devices.

Generating a Hardware Setpoint Configuration

Generating a Setpoint  Configuration

This means specifying how the modules are to be arranged in the rack. This configuration, specified by you, is referred to as the setpoint configuration.

Rack

For example, you open a SIMATIC  300 station in the Hardware Catalog.

Opening the "RACK-300" folder shows the icon for a DIN rail. You can insert this

in the "Hardware Configuration" window by double-clicking on it (or using drag &

drop).

Two rack component lists then appear in the two-part window: a plain list in the

top part and a detailed view with order numbers, MPI addresses and I/O

addresses in the bottom part.

Power Supply

If a load current power supply is required double click or use drag & drop to

insert the appropriate "PS-300" module from the catalog in slot no.1 in the list.

CPU

You select the CPU from the "CPU-300" folder, for example, and insert it in slot

no. 2.

Slot No. 3

Slot no. 3 is reserved as the logical address for an interface module (for multitier

configurations).

If this position is to be reserved in the actual configuration for the later

installation of an IM, you must insert a dummy module DM370 (DUMMY).

"Inserting" Modules

From slot no. 4 onwards, you can insert a choice of up to 8 signal modules

(SM), communications processors (CP) or function modules (FM) from the

HardwareCatalog using drag & drop or with a double-click.

The slots on which the selected module can be inserted are automatically

highlighted in green.