PLC Controls, Expansions, and Programming FAQ

PLC Controls, Expansions, and Programming FAQs appear below. Click on a question for further explanation. Click here to return to the FAQ home.

#	Summary	Question
1	Connect PLC with USB ports	Recent notebook computers don’t have serial ports, but have USB ports only. How do I connect PLCs, such as FP0, FP1, and FP10SH to edit the programs?
2	FPWINPRO and FPWINGR differences	Which is better to create a relay sequence program for Panasonic PLCs, FPWIN GR or FPWIN PRO?
3	Connect SDU to serial port	How do I connect the FP2 SDU to the serial port (9-pin type) of a DOS-V computer? The manual only describes the connection with a 25-pin type.
4	FPWIN GR color print	Although I used colored text for comments, they are printed in black and white even by a color printer. Are any settings required?
5	Program question: S-shaped positioning	I need to move a tool in an S-shape by controlling two axes using FPG-C32T and FP0-E32T. How do I program them? I don’t know how to program well.
6	Prevention of double printout when executing F147 (printout instruction)	When I use F147 (printout instruction), the data is sometimes printed out twice. How do I prevent this?
7	The PCWAY key unit cannot be recognized.	I installed PCWAY Ver. 2.4 in Windows XP. However, the key unit for the printer port cannot be recognized. What should I do?
8	How to back up the PLC data registers	When rewriting the program, all data in the data area are reset to zero. Therefore, I tried to hold the data by using "Hold PLC Device Value" function of GT series. However, the data still became zero. How can I successfully hold the data?
9	Ideal PLC for multiple touch panels	I need to connect three GV52 units and one GT11 unit to the PLC. Which model is recommended
10	The RUN and ERROR LEDs are lit.	The RUN and ERROR LEDs of FP3 are lit.
11	Are the communications with FPWIN GR via a USB port possible?	The computer I purchased has only USB ports. Since I need to program the sequencer using FPWIN GR, is it possible to connect it via a USB port?
12	Reliable screen switching by PLC	I use both the instruction from PLC (FP0) and the function switches of GT11 to switch the screens. However, the second instruction from the PLC does not work.
13	Wire press socket for FP0	I need to purchase the wire-press socket for FP0. What are the individual part numbers?
14	FP Sigma PLC link and general communications	How do I establish both a PLC link and general-purpose communications using FPΣ?
15	PLC COM port rewriting in RUN mode	When connecting FP0 to GT30 and conducting a rewriting operation in RUN mode using the "through" function, "NOT SUPPORTED" error occurs. This does not occur when using FP2. Why?
16	Dynamic output program examples	Generally, the 16 output points are required to display values using a four-digit digital display (BCD type). But is there any way to use only eight output points?
17	How do I connect FP1 and FPWIN GR?	Can the cable supplied with FPWIN GR (AFC8503) be used for FP1?
18	Internal wiring of each terminal of the FP0 analog I/O unit	How are the internal wiring conditions of the COM terminal and the negative terminal of the power supply?
19	Can I switch screens by using both the function switch and programmable controller?	Can I switch screens by using both the function switch and programmable controller?
20	GT11 slow operation	If GT11 is connected to the 2ch port of a FP-XCOM6 communication cassette (RS485x2ch type), operation of a switch or a lamp may become slow and it may not operate. A setup of COM2 (2ch port) is a computer link. In addition, in COM1 (1ch port), it operates normally satisfactory. Why is it?
21	Difference between FL and DT	What’s the difference between FL (file register) and DT (data register)?
22	FP0 step ladder operation process check	Are there internal relays that can check if each process of the FP0 step ladder is executed?
23	FPΣ positioning control: What is the deviation counter clear output of Y2?	I will use the positioning control function of FPΣ. What is the deviation counter clear output of Y2?
24	Transfer from PLC to master memory cassette	How do I transfer a program from the PLC to the Master Memory Cassette?
25	Transfer from master memory cassette to PLC	How do I transfer a program from the Master Memory Cassette to the PLC?
26	What is the High Speed Counter/Pulse Output control flag	How can I use the High Speed Counter/Pulse Output control flag to control my PLC's HSC functions?