Creating and Connecting

Program InOut
Parameters
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 Level 1: Logix - On Demand Creating and Connecting Program InOut Parameters

Before You Begin

About this Lab

Sometimes we would like program parameter data to update synchronous to the Requested
Packet Interval (RPI) of the hardware to which the parameter is connected, rather than
synchronous to the program scan. For example, if we were monitoring the fault status of a
hardware module, we would typically want this data to be as up-to-date as possible. In such a
case, we would use the program parameter InOut usage. In this lab you will:
 Create and connect program InOut parameters
This lab takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Hardware
To complete this lab, you will require the following hardware:
 PC-based programming workstation with access to the RAcbi learning environment

Software
To complete this lab, you will require the following software:
 Studio 5000 Logix Designer® version 32

Files
To complete this lab, you will require the following files:
 Machine_1_Lab15.ACD

Setup
To complete this lab, you will need to perform the following setup procedure:
1. Log on to your instance of the RAcbi learning environment.

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 Creating and Connecting Program InOut Parameters Level 1: Logix - On Demand

Create and Connect Program InOut Parameters

We would like to monitor the status of our input and output points so that, eventually, we can
add logic for the machine permissives and interlocks that will prohibit starting the machine if
certain points are faulted, and will also stop the machine if certain points become faulted during
operation. In this section of the lab, you will create and connect InOut program parameters for
monitoring hardware status.

1. If you have completed all labs up to this point in the Level 1: Logix - On Demand course,
then you may continue using your Machine_1.ACD file from previous labs:
a. Open the Studio 5000® environment.
b. Under Recent Projects, select your Machine_1 project:

1.b.

2. If you have NOT completed all labs up to this point in the Level 1: Logix - On Demand
course (e.g., you are just doing this individual lab as a refresher), then open the starting
file for this lab:

a. Use the shortcut on the desktop of your instance of the RAcbi learning
environment to open the LabFiles.
b. Open the Machine_1_Lab15.ACD file.

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Level 1: Logix - On Demand Creating and Connecting Program InOut Parameters

3. Open the MainProgram Parameters and Local Tags and select the Edit Tags tab.
To begin, we would like to monitor the digital module points related to starting the
conveyor. So, we need an InOut program parameter to connect to the fault bit for point 0
of the digital input module.
4. In the bottom row of the table, add a program parameter named Start_01_Fault, select
the InOut usage, apply the BOOL data type, and provide a Description of Point Fault
Status:

Here we see that, as soon as the parameter is written to the project, an error appears,
indicated by the red X to the left of the new parameter. Program parameters with the InOut
usage may only have one connection and, unlike Input or Output parameters, InOut
program parameters must have a connection, otherwise there will be an error. So, let’s
make that connection now.

5. Connect the Start_01_Fault program parameter to the Local:3:I.Pt[0].Fault hardware

tag:

As soon as the connection is made, the error goes away. Now we have a program
parameter that will indicate whether or not the start input point is faulted, and it will
always be synchronized with the module RPI. However, we also need to make sure that
the output point for starting is not faulted.

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Creating and Connecting Program InOut Parameters Level 1: Logix - On Demand

6. Add an InOut program parameter named Motor_On_01_Fault, select the BOOL data
type, add a Description of Point Fault Status, and connect it to Local:4:I.Pt[0].Fault:

Now that we are able to detect a fault in the start circuits, let’s do the same for the stop
circuits.
7. Add InOut program parameters for monitoring stop circuit faults and connect them as
shown below:

Now we have the means necessary for identifying faults in both the start as well as the
stop circuits for Conveyor 1. Because these program parameters are of the InOut usage,
the data they contain will always be as up-to-date as possible (i.e., they update
synchronous to the RPIs of the hardware modules, rather than synchronous to the
program scan).

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