TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base and pluggable logic
Eplan Platform Version 2.7
Status: 12. July 2024

TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base andpluggable logic
Example: Siemens ET200SP with pluggable electronics (electronic module / BaseUnit)
In the configuration of PLC devices, such as the ET200SP series of SIEMENS, two parts areused:
1. The BaseUnit to which the cables and wires to sensors and actuators are connected,
2. The electronic module with the electronics for the PLC inputs and outputs.
The connection points of a BaseUnit can pass different signals / channels outwards depending on the respective electronics module. An electronic module can be plugged into different
BaseUnits with different connection wirings. The information that is required for the installer,
namely to which connection point a signal is assigned, arises through the combination of thetwo items.
Note:
So that the BaseUnits with TIA Portal can be exchanged they have to be configured as accessories of the electronics module.

1TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base and pluggable logic
Eplan Platform Version 2.7
Status: 12. July 2024

Parts management
BaseUnit
Each BaseUnit is created as component in the PLC product group and is identified as an accessory. The accessory part contains the function templates:
1. For a PLC box
2. For all the PLC connection points that do not come from the electronic module (power
supplies of the PLC card, auxiliary connection points, etc.)
3. These connection points have connection point designations.
4. No channel is entered at the connection points because it depends on the electronicmodule.
Designate each BaseUnit on the Accessories tab as an accessory by activating the corresponding check box.

Electronic module
Each electronic module is created as an individual component in the PLC product group. The
part contains the following as function templates:
1. The PLC box
2. All the PLC inputs and outputs, not however the connection points of the BaseUnit(for example power supplies of the PLC card, auxiliary connection points, etc.)
3. The channel is entered at the connection points
4. No connection point designation is entered at the connection points because it depends on the BaseUnit used.
All the BaseUnits that can be used with the electronic module are assigned as optional accessories to the module. This simplifies the accessory selection later on because only those
BaseUnits are offered for selection that are suitable for the electronic module.

2TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base and pluggable logic
Eplan Platform Version 2.7
Status: 12. July 2024

Example of an accessories listing for the module 6ES7131-6BF00-0BA0
Row

Part number / name

Variant

Record type

1

SIE.BU15-P16+A0+12B/T

1

Component

2

SIE.BU15-P16+A0+12D/T

1

Component

3

SIE.BU15-P16+A0+2B

1

Component

4

SIE.BU15-P16+A0+2B/T

1Component

5SIE.BU15-P16+A0+2D

1Component

6

SIE.BU15-P16+A0+2D/T

1Component

7

SIE.BU20-P12+A0+0B

1Component

8SIE.BU20-P12+A0+4B

1Component

The PLC type designation is to be entered on the PLC data tab for the PLC data exchange.

MacrosA macro with the variants for each combination with BaseUnits is stored at the electronics
module (optionally per channel with placeholder objects).
The assignment channel to connection point is made in the macros.
Enter the underlying Macro on the Technical data tab in the parts management.

Configuration
The electronic module and BaseUnit has the same device tag in the schematic.
The BaseUnit is assigned to the electronic module as an additional part. A device selection isalso possible.

PLC data exchange
BaseUnits are considered during the PLC data exchange in AutomationML AR APC format
as of Version 1.1.0, when they
1. are stored in the parts management with a PLC type designation and2. are specified as an additional part number at the electronic module.
No additional parts are transferred at a PLC data exchange via other formats. After an import
the used BaseUnits are therefore to be selected as accessories, if applicable.

3TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base and pluggable logic
Eplan Platform Version 2.7
Status: 12. July 2024

Special case with separate DT for BaseUnit and electronic module
The BaseUnit establishes the connection between the electronic module and the sensor, actuator, etc. To this purpose PLC connection points with 2 connection points are used. For thiscase Eplan makes the new function definition "PLC connection point, 2 connection points"
available that is used for a through line.
Function templates of the type "PLC connection point, 2 connection points" are entered at
the parts of the BaseUnits. In addition macros, analog to the electronic modules, for eachcombination with electronic modules. (Optionally per channel with placeholder objects.)
The assignment channel to connection point is made in the macros.
If the user has selected a macro for the BaseUnit or electronic unit channel-wise, they canselect the respectively other macro on the basis of channel or connection point designation.

BaseUnit =PLC box as an auxiliary
function

One PLC connection point each,2 connection points

Electronics module =PLC box with structure data
for the PLC bus data exchange

The PLC box of the BaseUnit is used as an auxiliary function.
If the PLC box of the BaseUnit has an own DT, the structure data at the main function of thisPLC box is not filled.

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TechTip: Recommendation for PLC items with base and pluggable logic
Eplan Platform Version 2.7
Status: 12. July 2024

PLC connection points with the function definition "PLC connection point, 2 connection
points"
1. Can have a channel information.
2. Are displayed grouped in the PLC navigator in the channel-oriented view.
3. Can be filtered.
4. Are not addressed.
5. Are not taken into consideration during the output of an assignment list.
6. Are not exchanged during a PLC data exchange.
7. Are not taken into consideration during PLC target tracking.

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