Pamaglawe · Objects

Operating mode with a PLC connection

Configure operating mode and assign a dedicated process symbol. Operating this control in test mode creates write requests; verify write access and the meaning of the values before using a real plant.

Help ID OBJ-MODE10 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.501

1. Insert the object

In design mode choose Controls (Bedienen) → Betriebsart and click a free area of the process page. Allow enough room for all labels. Double-click the object, or use its context menu, to set a unique name, caption, position, dimensions and process assignment.

Select Controls → Betriebsart. The small image is shown at its natural size.

The new object initially shows the heading Betriebsart and the first default value Aus.

No process variable is assigned yet. Configure the visible choices through Bedienobjekt einstellen.

2. Configure operating modes

Click Configure control (Bedienobjekt einstellen). Each line uses Text=Value. Enter Aus=0, Hand=1 and Automatik=2 (Off, Manual and Automatic). The list shows the text and requests the associated numeric value. Adapt the mapping to the PLC program. Each visible text must be unique; at least one complete line is required.

Default mapping: Aus = 0, Hand = 1 and Automatik = 2. Apply the list.

3. Prepare a writable PLC symbol

Click Symbol and open Edit table. Add a row or duplicate a suitable writable row, then change all relevant fields: PLC/device Modbus_Testserver, symbol Anlage_Betriebsart, address 40003, simulation value 0, UINT16, length 1 register, read and write access, Holding Register / FC 03 for reading and FC 06 for writing. The example connection is 127.0.0.1, port 502, unit ID 1. Save and close the table editor. Use a separate address for each distinct process function; reusing the tank-level address would mix a measurement with an operating command.

A dedicated operating-mode symbol is still needed. Open Tabelle bearbeiten.

Validation reports row 2 as valid. Simulation value 0 avoids an initially unmapped value.

Direct Modbus TCP, 127.0.0.1:502, Holding Register 40003 and UINT16. Apply the selected symbol at the bottom right.

4. Apply the symbol assignment

Select the symbol in the communication table, check its device, connection, address and data type, and click Apply at the bottom right. The selection fills PLC/device, IP address, symbolic variable, physical address, data type and register/function code together. Apply the object properties and save with Ctrl+S.

Betriebsart_Anlage_01 and its complete symbol assignment are prepared. Apply the properties and save.

5. Operate in test mode

Save and press F5. Open the list in test mode and select Automatik. This requests value 2 and records the operation in the logbook. An unmapped received value appears as “Wert … nicht zugeordnet”; add the missing mapping or correct the simulation value. A visible change alone does not prove that a real PLC accepted the request. Check the connection, readback, PLC logic and interlocks. With user management enabled, the signed-in role must have permission to operate process objects.

Aus, Hand and Automatik can be selected in test mode. The image remains at its original size.

Automatik is selected. No real PLC connection was active in this run: the image confirms the interaction, not acceptance by a plant.

6. Common questions

If the control is disabled, check test mode and role permissions. If no value is written, check symbol write access, driver, connection, address and data type. If the initial state differs from the example, check the received or simulated value: a process value can override the configured initial value. For numeric controls, also check step size and decimal places. When requesting help, include the help code, program version, symbol, configured values and observed behavior; omit credentials.

Keyboard shortcuts

Apply or close property dialogs, select objects on the canvas and leave any active text field before using an object shortcut.

Delete — delete selection: Deletes selected simple objects without another confirmation. Check the selection first.
Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y — undo / redo: Undoes or restores an available object edit. This is not a recovery mechanism for deleted pages or files.
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V — copy / paste: Copies the selection and inserts an offset copy. Check names and process assignments afterward.
Ctrl+X — cut: Copies objects to the internal object clipboard and removes them from the page. Paste with Ctrl+V.
Ctrl+A — select all: Selects unlocked objects on the current page.
Arrow keys — move precisely: Moves the selection one pixel in the chosen direction within the page bounds.
Shift+Arrow — next grid position: Moves the selection in the grid direction using the page grid spacing.
Ctrl+L / Ctrl+Shift+L — lock / unlock: Locks the selection; Ctrl+Shift+L unlocks all locked objects on the current page.
Esc — end editor action: Cancels an action such as placement or clears the current selection.
Ctrl+S — save project: Saves applied changes. Save again after deleting, moving or copying.

The fixed global alarm area cannot be deleted or copied. Structural objects with assigned contents can ask an additional question about those contents.