Good day expers!

There's a S7-312 with CP341 (1CH01), which is communicating to a MODBUS device, which suddenly became faulty (has SF) upon start up from normal stop due to maintenance.

The diagnostic buffer of CP341 says module not available (i/o access error or parameter assignment error). Usually what does this mean?

They are requesting for programmer assistance, but I'm hesitating it's on the software side because they have no way to access the program. I think it must be a hardware fault.

They say that the SF LED is steady and there's no Tx and Td LED anymore.

Also, how can we make sure that the CP341 is not broken? I've read there should be a dongle inserted on the CP at the back for it's proper function? Would it be true for this particular device?

Please see attached file for more detail.

Thanks!

Hello,

what I'm interesting for is what is configured on that CP341. I expect that dongle is inserted on CP341. Go pls offline and double click on that CP341 in HW screen. Go to Parameters and make screenshots from there. Carefully to not change parameters. You posted that you've uploaded SW from CPU? You don't have original project?

Update: Parameters down to screen - there can be needed Protocol selection (make screen), then double lick on that blue Protocol icon and make also screens from that, put to Word doc, but export as pdf for other to look.

Hello Duris!

Thanks for your prompt response. 

I'm not actually the author of the report, but yes I have the uploaded backup (please see attached), and yes they don't have the original project (so also no symbols!).

When I tried to check the HWconfig the first time I saw that "Parameter" button on the CP properties, but it's greyed out and unclickable, I think I'm missing what is called a "parameter assignment software" on the manual. Can you also give me a link for it? 

But in any case, the system is running for quite some time already and then suddenly this happened without them having any access to software, so I doubt it is on the configuration.

In any case, I look forward to your further response, thanks again!

Also wanna ask things:

1) What is the "Loadable Driver"? Is that different from the dongle? 

2) Is the "PtP Param" the software for parameter assignment that is needed for that greyed "parameter" section to appear at the CP properties?

3) Would the uploaded program, even if it doesn't show, already include all the parameters needed in that if say the memory card is formatted, the uploaded program will be enough to be redownloaded?

4) That CP in question is already obsolete (1CH01), if ever, could it be replaced by say 1CH02 just plug and play? 

5) Could wiring fault result on that error diagnosis?

Kaulquappe

Hello Grey,

1) A loadable driver is an additional protocol. The dongle is the "license" for it.

2) yes   CP 341 parameter assignment tool

3) when the S7-300 is powered off and the battery is empty, the CP loses a loaded drivers. It must be loaded via PG (only applicable for CP341-xH01).

4) yes

5) I think so.
Did you have a thunderstorm? A heavy lightning can also destry a CP.

Regards,
Kaulquappe

 

1) So how is this being implemented?

2) Tnx for the link!

3) I see. How to determine if this (driver lost due to power and battery off) is what happened? Would it result on the CP341 diagnosis above (not available/io access or parameter error)?

Also how do you reload the driver? Would it be enough to simply redownload an Step 7 program for it?

4) I see, thanks.

5) I actually mean something like wire break. But if the CP is broken would it also give that diagnosis above?

Actually how exactly could we know if the CP is broken? 

Thank you very much for your answers to my *** questions, I'm really new to this and this is urgent. Looking forward for your further reponses.

 Hello Grey;

I have no opinion on your problem at this time, with the information provided, except that you could be facing a module failure (after long use) and you might have to think of replacing the CP (see your question 4 below).

In the meantime:

G_R_E_Y

Also wanna ask things:

1) What is the "Loadable Driver"? Is that different from the dongle? 

As originally designed the CP 341/CP 441-2 supported serial ASCII (different form Modbus ASCII), useful for serial printers communication, procedure 3964R and interpreter RK 512, which were used for Siemens S5 comms.

Later, Modbus (RTU master, slave and ASCII master/slave), DF1 and DH+ (for older A-B PLCs), and a few other protocols were offeres ass optional, loadable drivers, to be purchased. The dongle is designed to allow the CPs to use a loadable driver. See hthe following links to various loadable drivers that were available (only Modbus drivers are purchasable now).

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/search?search=loadable%20drivers&type=Download&lc=en-WW

2) Is the "PtP Param" the software for parameter assignment that is needed for that greyed "parameter" section to appear at the CP properties?

Yes, you need the PTP parameter assignment software to work with the serial CPs, with or without loadable drivers. It was available on the companion CD when you purchased the CP. You can download it here:

Download CD "CP340, CP341, CP440, CP441"

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/27013524

3) Would the uploaded program, even if it doesn't show, already include all the parameters needed in that if say the memory card is formatted, the uploaded program will be enough to be redownloaded?

I cannot be sure at 100%, it has been too long since I uploaded such a program, but I doubt you would have all the complete CP parameters and program.

4) That CP in question is already obsolete (1CH01), if ever, could it be replaced by say 1CH02 just plug and play? 

Look at the following Product Support page for the CP 341-1CH01, then open the Successor Module tab. The CP 341-1CH02 is a one-to-one successor, therefore the program for the 1CH01 will work with the 1CH02 (with a slight modification of the hardware configuration).

6ES7 341-1CH01-0AE0

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/pd/177368?pdti=pi&lc=en-WW

5) Could wiring fault result on that error diagnosis?

The only "wire" coming in or out of the CP is the communication cable to the comm. partner. If there is a defect in the cable, it will cause exchange problems on the network, visible by the misfunctionning of the TX and RX LEDs on the CP. Nothing like you are experiencing now.

 Hope this helps,

Daniel Chartier

Hello Experts!

So did you opened the backup program? What did you see on the CP341 parameter, is it ok? Is the backup complete for redownloading? 

Thanks.

Also about what the other expert said that the loadable driver might be gone if power off and battery empty, is there a battery that can be emptied in S7-300?

If so, then so do youreload the driver? Is it done also on step 7? Does the backup I attached still have it? Tnx!

Also, I'm not sure what the device the CP431 is communicating, but they said it is a MODBUS controller. I'm not so familiar with modbus, so can you experts please suggest how could I determine if the problem maybe lie on that device? 

I'll give more detail once I arrive at the plant. 

Thanks!