CHAPTER 5

Rockwell Automation
Addressing and Instructions
Dr. Bashir NOURI
Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
An-Najah National University

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 Objectives:
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
 1- Explain Rockwell Automation memory organization.
 2- Explain Rockwell Automation addressing.
 3- Define addresses for various file types.
 4- Explain the use of various Rockwell Automation
instructions.
 5- Write programs that utilize Rockwell Automation
instructions.

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 Understanding Rockwell File Organization
and Addressing
Rockwell Automation divides its memory system into two
types: Program and Data.

1. The program area memory (system and program files)

in a Rockwell Automation PLC has 256 files.
(File 0 through File 255)

0 1 2 3 255

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 2. The data area memory in a Rockwell Automation PLC
has 256 files.
(File 0 through File 255)

0 1 2 3 255

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 Program File Memory

256 file in program memory (file 0 through file 255)

contain:
1. Controller information.
2. The main ladder program.
3. Subroutine programs.

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 Program Files
File 0 contains various system related information and
user-programmed information such as processor type, I/O
configuration, processor file name, and password.
File 1 is reserved.
File 2 is the main ladder diagram.
File 3 through 255 are user created and accessed
according to subroutine instructions residing in the main
ladder program file (file 2).

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 Data Memory
256 Files. Data files are needed to write ladder logic.
Data File and Uses
File Type Use
Number
0 Output Stores the states of output terminals for the controller (output
image table)
1 Input Stores the states of input terminals for the controller (input
image table)
2 Status (Reserved) Stores the controller’s operation information. This
file can be useful for troubleshooting the controller and the
program operation.
3 Bit Can be used for internal relay bit storage. Is used to store bit
information. Bits can be helpful in logic programming. They can
be used to store information about conditions or as contacts or
coils for non-real world I/O.
4 Timer Stores the accumulated value, preset value, and status bits for
timers.

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 Data File and Uses (Continue)
File Type Use
Number
5 Counter Stores the accumulated value, preset value, and status bits
for counters.
6 Control Used when working with shift registers and sequencers.
Stores the length, pointer position, and status bits for
specific instructions such as sequencers and shift registers.
7 Integer Used to store integers (whole numbers). Can be used to
store integer numbers or bit information.
8 Floating Used to store floating point numbers (decimal numbers).
Point Can be used to store single-precision non-extended 32-bit
float numbers.
9 - 255 User Can be used for any of the previously defined types by the
defined user. Note that the whole file number must be used for the
same type.
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 Memory Addressing
Default File Identifiers and Numbers

File Type Identifies File Number

Output O 0
Input I 1
Status S 2
Bit B 3
Timer T 4
Counter C 5
Control R 6
Integer N 7
Float F 8

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 Example:
How address input 3 on the input module in slot 2 would
be named? File Number
Slot Number
Input
Bit Number

I1:2/3
Slot Delimiter

Bit Delimiter

Identifier is I  input, 1: The default number for input file.

Delimiter (: or /) defines what will come next.
Colon (:) The next is slot number of the module.
Slash (/)  The next item is a bit number.
2 ≡ Slot Number, and 3 ≡ Bit number (input number)
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 A PLC Rack of Modules

Power C I I I O O O
Supply P N N N U U U
U P P P T T T
U U U P P P
T T T U U U
T T T
Slot Number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

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 Example: Output Addressing

File Number
Slot Number
Output
Bit Number
Output Number

O0:4/6
Slot Delimiter

Bit Delimiter

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 Examples: Input/Output (I/O) Addressing

O0:5/12  Output 12 in slot 5, output file 0.

O:6/7  Output 7 in slot 6, output file 0 (default file number 0).
I1:2/8  Input 8 in slot 2, input file 1.
I:3/5  Input 5 in slot 3, input file 1 (default file number 1).
O0:4/12  Output 12 in slot 4, output file 0.
O:5/1  Output 1 in slot 5, output file 0 (default file number 0).
I:1/9  Input 9 in slot 1, input file 1 (default file number 1).

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 Example: Bit Element Addressing
File Number
Element Number
Word Number
Bit
Bit Number

B3:64/12
Element Delimiter

Bit Delimiter

B3:64/12  Bit number 12 of word number 64 in the

Bit file number 3 (the default Bit file number is 3).
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