GE Genius Handheld Terminal for the I/O Modules

[jsummerfield]

In addition to field calibration equipment during instrument loop testing we are using a laptop PC, a Wonderware workstation and a handheld terminal for the GE Genius IO. It appears that we need an additional handheld terminal for the Genius. Is there another way to set ranges etc. on GE Genius than the handheld terminal that plugs into the module?

John

 

[MrPLC]

You didn't mention which platform you are using but for the 90-70 you can configure the Genius Blocks through the CPU using a "Write Configuration Command" which is implemented using COMREQ #3. You have to first setup the block(s) Device Number in the PLC Configuration folder and enter the same at the block using the Hand Held Monitor (HHM). Once those are done and you have the Genius Bus connected, you can issue the COMREQ which has to be configured with the configuration data to be written to the block.

I have never done this as it seems a lot of trouble to go through (setting up the COMREQ) when it is so easy (and straightforward) to configure the blocks using the HHM. The fact that you can copy the configuration from one block to another of the same type is of course a big timesaver. Of course the blocks have to be connected on the same bus to do that.

If you want to pursue remote configuration, it is detailed in Chapter 5 of the Series 90-70 PLC Genius Bus Controller User's Manual, GE Fanuc publication GFK-03398.

Good luck!