INTRODUCTION

In industry, a touchscreen is only useful if it can communicate with the machine it’s meant to control. Before an HMI can run a process, it must be properly connected to the PLC and tested to ensure everything is talking. You've already learned what HMIs do and how PLCs control systems. In this assignment, you'll establish the connection between your HMI and PLC and verify that they’re working together.

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MATERIALS

Basic Automation Trainer
Automation Direct HMI
RS232 serial communication cable
- The RS232 serial cable has an RJ12 connector on both ends that looks similar to this:

Ask an instructor where to find the above items if necessary.

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STEP 1: Connect the HMI to the PLC

In this lab you will be connecting an HMI to the CLICK PLC on the Basic Automation Trainer and verifying communication between them.

In this lab you will be applying power to the HMI and hooking up a serial communication cable in-between the HMI and the CLICK PLC on the Basic Automation Trainer. You will also be verifying that PLC is communicating with the HMI.

Make sure the power cord on the Basic Automation Trainer is plugged into an electrical receptacle in the wall or into a power strip.
Connect the RS232 cable to the CLICK PLC as shown:
Connect the other end of the RS232 cable into "Port2" on the back of the HMI as shown below:

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STEP 2: Power Up the HMI

The HMI is powered by the 24 volt power supply of the Basic Automation Trainer. Follow the step below to apply power to the HMI.

NOTE

The 24 volt power cables for the HMI have 3-pin, M8 connectors that look something like the photo below:

3-pin M8 connector

Connect the 24 volt power cord on the Basic Automation Trainer to the HMI:

After a minute or so the HMI should boot up to the Main Screen.

The Main Screen should look similar to the picture below. (There may be a few differences if you have a more updated HMI version than the screenshots show.)

HMI Main Screen

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STEP 3: Verify the HMI is Communicating with the PLC

Now you need to verify that the HMI is communicating with the CLICK PLC.

Press the E-Stop push button on the Basic Automation Trainer and watch the Main Screen on the HMI.
- You should see a red indicator popup that reads "E-STOP PRESSED" like what it shown in the photo below.
- When you release the E-Stop, the E-Stop message should disappear.
- If you cannot see the E-Stop message appear and disappear as you press and release the E-Stop, there is probably a communication problem. Go back and to the top of this lab, follow all of the steps and try again.
- If you continue to have a communication problem, find an instructor.

Main Screen of the HMI with the E-Stop indicator label

If you have any questions, find an instructor.