PLCnext Technology

Getting started and writing your first program

 Contents
Starter/Demo Kits 3 Building and using your own Function Block 58
Setting IP Addresses on PC/PLC 4 Creating and using Global/External Variables 79
PLCnext Engineer 11 Creating and using Local Variables 86
AXC F2152 Webserver 14 Downloading and monitoring program 91
Starting/Downloading First PLCnext Engineer Project 22 Adding EN/ENO 95
Adding and using I/O 29 Forcing Values in Ladder 100
Use of Watch Window 43 Building eHMI 101
Prepare to Program/Libraries and IEC 61131 44 Appendices
PLCnext Store / Adding Libraries to PLCnext Engineer 46 Popular Libraries 156
Common Web Server Pages (Diagnostics, etc) 157
Useful resources - User manuals and data sheets

These can each be found under the

“downloads” section for each of the
components used in this system
They will help clarify wiring points, etc.

3
Hardware – PLCnext Starter Kit
AXC F 2152 STARTERKITS - Order
1046568 (White Board Demo)
Standard Axio F DI/DO and AI/AO
combo modules
or
1188165 (Black Board Demo)
Smart Element I/O – DO, DI, Dummy, AI 0-
10VDC

4
Connect to internet via WiFi, and to PLCnext
controller via Ethernet cable

5
 Configure your computer to communicate with the PLCnext controller
• From your Windows computer’s
Start menu, go to

• “Settings”

• “Network and Internet”

• “Ethernet”

• “Change Adapter Settings”

6
Configure your computer to communicate with the
PLCnext controller

• Double-click on “Local Area Connection” or “Ethernet”

(depending on your OS) to configure that connection to be
able to communicate with the PLCnext controller

7
Communicating with the PLCnext controller
Setting a fixed IP address on your computer’s Ethernet adaptor

1
Click on Properties here…
2
…click this

3 ..and then here

8
 Communicating with the PLCnext controller
Setting a fixed IP address on your computer’s Ethernet adaptor
“Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

• Click on “Use the following IP address:”

Your computer’s Ethernet adaptor is now configured with the
• Type in 192.168.1.xxx
above fixed IP address, and will be able to communicate with
• The value for xxx can be anything between 1 – 254, except 10
the PLCnext controller
• (192.168.1.10 is being used by the PLCnext controller)
• The Subnet mask number should automatically fill in
• If not, type in the number shown
• Click Okay 9
Communicating with the PLCnext controller
The PLCnext controller ships with a default IP address: 192.168.1.10

• We can communicate with the PLCnext controller by

simply entering an IP address into a browser.

• If we want to change the IP address, we must use

PLCnext Engineer to do so.

• We will download and install PLCnext now.

10
Software - PLCNEXT ENGINEER - 1046008
Don’t place an order for the software, just download
it from the Phoenix Contact website!
https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us

Use the latest software. PLCNEXT ENGINEER has

extensive backwards compatibility with older firmware

11
PLCnext Engineer – programming software

Once installed,* The PLCnext Engineer software will be

visible under the Phoenix Contact folder after clicking on
the Windows symbol at the bottom/left of the screen.

It is possible to have multiple versions of PLCnext

Engineer installed if necessary

* Once the software has been downloaded and unzipped, right-click and choose “install as Administrator”
for best results.

12
Software and controller – ensuring compatibility
• Now that the PLCnext Engineer programming • Enter your PLCnext controller’s IP address into
software has been downloaded and installed, the address field of your browser.
let’s take a look at the PLCnext controller’s • (The default IP address is 192.168.1.10)
web-based management to note the • Make sure your laptop is set up to talk to the
firmware version PLCnext controller. See previous pages if you
• If the firmware is older than the PLCnext need to change your laptop’s IP settings.
Engineer software, then we may want to
update the firmware
• PLCnext Engineer will allow the programming
of older firmware, as long as you select the
proper icon. But updating gives you access to
bug fixes and new capabilities

13
Access the PLCnext controller’s internal webpage
When you’ve entered the PLCnext controller’s
IP address in the browser and hit enter, you will
get an error like the one shown here (Microsoft
Edge browser).
• In this case, click “Details”, and then ignore
the warnings about the site potentially being
unsafe, and proceed to the PLCnext
controller’s web interface.

14
Access the PLCnext controller’s internal webpage
(Open a browser, type in: 192.168.1.10)

Note: You will get a warning from your browser that this may not be a safe site. It is safe. Proceed.
15
We will access the configuration pages. Skip to the Appendices for more information about the other links.

Click to access the

web-based Click here to reach
management the PLCnext section
configuration of the Phoenix
screens of the Contact website*
PLCnext controller

Thank you note Click to access the

PLCnext user
community on the
internet*

* Internet connection is necessary concurrently with your connection to the PLCnext controller. For example, WiFi
connection to the internet, while the laptop’s Ethernet adaptor is attached to the PLCnext controller.
16
Click 17
 admin
(check the face of your unit)

The password to the PLCnext

controller is found on the face of the
unit, directly above the QR code.

This password is unique to each unit.

18
Note the firmware version of the PLCnext controller. Knowing this will help set
up the project in PLCnext Engineering programming software. If the version is
older than the PLCnext Engineer programming software, you’ll need to update
the firmware

19
If a Firmware upgrade is needed, this page is accessed by clicking
on the “Administration” menu item, and then on “Firmware
update”. The latest Firmware file (as well as several older vintages)
are found on the Phoenix Contact website, under the downloads
section under the PLCnext product page. (This is accessible from
the start screen of the PLCnext controller).

20
 Verifying firmware revision
• Access the appropriate product page on the Phoenix
Contact website, navigate to “Downloads”, and
download the latest firmware.
• Once downloaded, unzip and RUN the executable.
You will then see the appropriate firmware file to load
on the PLCnext controller.

Once the firmware has been loaded, and

the PLCnext controller has been rebooted,
check the device’s web-based management
to verify the firmware is up to date.

21
Back to PLCnext Engineer
• Having verified we have the proper firmware revision running on the PLCnext controller, you can
leave the web browser open or close it.
• Open PLCnext Engineer software.

22
PLCnext Engineer

• Opens to this start page

• Load existing project from
left section (not applicable
until you have created and
saved projects)
• Start a new project from
middle section, with a
head start (be sure to
choose correct hardware
from list)
• Help accessible from right-
most section

23
 Creating a project in PLCnext Engineer

• Get started by selecting

one of the options in the
middle section.
• Match the hardware and
firmware revision with
the software’s revision
(or make a selection with
newer firmware than the
software version you are
using)

24
Initial setup
• This will be the initial
programming screen
1. Double Click
“Project” under the
“PLANT” section.

25
Initial Setup
1. Click on the expansion
arrows for “Project” and
“axc-f-2151-1” to open
all the menus for
“PLANT” 1 3
2. Displayed is the 2
“Settings” Menu. No 3
changes to be made
here
3. Click on “Online 4
Controllers” to open the
communication menu

26
Align program communications with controller
1. Click on the down arrow
to select which PC
ethernet port is the
programming port 4
2. Click in the blue box that 1
says “select online device
here” then choose the 2 1
device that is shown (in
the 2nd row). 3
1. Note: Occasionally only 3
one row will appear with
the information, just 4 Network scan icon
select the device
The two rows should then
collapse to one, with the
device from the second row
shown in the “Name of Note: If you had desired another IP address besides the
station” column. default, you would make that change in the appropriate
3. Click the symbol indicated Project area in PLCnext Engineer. It would be shown and
……by the arrow to scan the would take effect once the project was downloaded to
…..network. the PLCnext controller.
Under the status column,
there should now be a
checkmark.
27
Downloading the project to the controller
1. Right-click the axc-f-2152: AXC-F-2152
to expose the dropdown menu
2. Click on “Write and Start Project” to
download the project to the controller.
This will download the project, and hence
the IP address to the PLCnext controller.
Since we have not changed our IP address
from the default, there is no need “Write
and Start Project” at this point, but it is a
task we will need to do often, so we might
as well practice here.
3. Right-click the axc-f-2152:AXC-F-2152
and then “Disconnect”

28
Select and add I/O modules
Standard Axio F I/O (white demo board)
• If you have the black demo
board with Smart Elements –
jump ahead 2 pages

• Double click on “Axioline F” in

the PLANT section
• Click on “Device List” tab
(notice the table is blank)
• Under the COMPONENTS
section, expand “Network”
and the submenus until you
find the module(s) you’ve
added to the controller
hardware.
• Drag the modules and drop
them on the “Axioline F”
under the PLANT tree
• OR click on the first
unassigned row (see large
arrow) and select module
from the drop-down list that
appears

29
Verify that I/O modules have been added to program

• Notice the relevant modules

appear – nested under the
“Axioline F” in the PLANT tree
• And they are shown on the
Device List in the middle of the
screen.
• Jump ahead to page 33 to
“Verify Connection between
controller and program”

30
Select and add I/O modules
Smart Elements I/O (black demo board)
• Double click on “Axioline
F” in the PLANT section
• Click on “Device List” tab
(notice the table is
blank)
• Under the
COMPONENTS section,
expand “Network” and
the submenus until you
find the module(s)
you’ve added to the
controller hardware.
• Drag the modules and
drop them on the
“Axioline F” under the
PLANT tree
• OR click on the first
unassigned row (see
large arrow) and select
module from the drop-
down list that appears
31
 Verify that I/O modules have been added to program
• Notice the relevant
modules appear –
nested under the
“Axioline F” in the
PLANT tree
• And they are shown on
the Device List in the
middle of the screen.

• Note that Smart

Elements module
order runs top to
bottom, left to right

32
 Verify connection between controller and software/program
1. Double- click on axc-f-2152:
AXC-F-2152 directly under
“Project” in the PLANT area
2. Verify the “Cockpit” tab is
selected in the center 2
workspace 1 3
3. Click on the triangular
symbol next to the window
that says “TCP/IP”
• This should make an
Ethernet connection
between the controller and
the program. You should see
active diagnostics in the
software that mirror those
on the hardware.
4. Click on the triangle again
to turn off the connection.
This is the same function as
was performed by the
“Connect/Disconnect” pull-
down menu used recently

33
Different strokes for different folks!
Previously, we have mostly The “Cockpit” menu also
been using “right- click on offers most of the same
axc-f-2152: AXC-F-2152” to options, if you prefer icons
access read/write/monitor over drop-down menus
functions.

34
Parameterize the analog I/O
(white board demo, standard Axio F I/O)
• Double click on the analog module under
“Axioline F” on the Project tree under the
PLANT section.
• A 0-10 vdc analog input is wired to analog
input terminal 00. In PLCnext Engineer, this is
Input Channel 1. There is nothing wired to
the other analog input and the analog
outputs.
• Click the “Parameters” tab in the central
workspace section, then select the
appropriate measuring ranges for each
input/output. Select “Channel Inactive” for
the other analog I/O
• Click to save the project, through the File
menu (as you would with any application).
• Skip to Page 37

35
 Parameterize the analog I/O
(black board demo, Smart Elements)
• Double click on the analog module
under “Axioline F” on the Project
tree under the PLANT section.
• Smart Element Analog modules are
less configurable than standard
analog.
• Click the “Parameters” tab in the
central workspace section. An
analog module will already be
voltage or current and not
changeable. You can only
configure error handling
• Click to save the project, through
the File menu (as you would with
any application).

36
 Create a variable for the program to use, link it to an I/O point on the
controller

1) Double click on “IEC 61131-3 ”

…….under the project tree in the
…….PLANT section 2
2) Click “Data List” tab, and under
the “Default” section under
Variable (PLC), 4
3) Enter a variable name in the 1
space that says “Enter variable
name here” in this example:
“Voltage_0_10”. 3
4) Click the expansion arrow in
the “Variable (PLC) ,

37
 Create a variable for the program to use, link it to an I/O point on the
controller
• Note the Data List has expanded columns, with “Type” now to the right of “Variable (PLC)”
• Click in the cell under “Type”, in the row of the variable you want to alter.
• A pop-up menu of different data types will be visible. You can freely select from the various data types.
• For this example, select WORD – analog data in PLCnext is always in word format

38
 Create a variable for the program to use, link it to an I/O point on the
controller

1. Click the arrow in Variable

(PLC) column to collapse
the columns 1
2. Click the drop-down
2
arrow in the
“Voltage_0_10”
row/”Process data item” 3
column to show the
various I/O points
3. Select the ”aio-1/IN01” to
connect the variable to
the analog data input

39
Prepare to download to the controller
• Double click on “axc-f-
2152-1 : AXC-F-2152”
immediately under Project
in the PLANT section
• Make sure “Data List” is
selected from the tabs
• Locate the variable(s) you
have added. (You may
need to scroll down)

40
 Prepare to download to the controller
• Right click on “axc-f-2152-1
: AXC-F-2152” immediately
under Project in the PLANT
section
• Click on “Write and Start
Project to download and
start the project on the
PLCnext controller.

41
 Witness interaction while online with PLCnext controller
• Note the Data List
becomes
interactive as the
PLC runs the
program.
• The raw values of
the analog inputs
can be seen (in
hexadecimal
format).
• Twist the
potentiometer
and the values
will change.

42
 PLCNext Interaction – Watch Window
• It’s possible to
view the analog
as a decimal
• Open the watch
window by
clicking the
button with the
eyeglasses
• Click and hold the
variable to be
watched and drag
to the window
and release
• Right click to
bring up the
display selection
and choose
“Decimal”

43
Programming Preparation
• Raw variables won’t be of use in real-world
applications. We will do some programming
to scale those values to real-world
engineering units.
• First, Right click on “axc-f-2152-1 : AXC-F-
2152” immediately under Project in the
PLANT section
• Then click on Connect / Disconnect (which
will disconnect the program from the
controller).

44
 A quick explanation on Libraries and IEC 61131-3
• PLCs like PLCnext and software like PLCnext Engineer belong to the IEC 61131 family of
automation products
• Not going to get into deep egghead explanations here, but the IEC61131 standard allows for
smaller, more compact PLC programs by requiring only certain “common instructions” such as
math, comparisons and timers to be available in a starter program
• If you need more complex instructions, such as PID Loop control or instructions that help scale
raw analog signals into something useful, you often need to “add” those instructions
• Most automation companies bundle groups of associated instructions into packages called
“Libraries”
• Different companies use different ways to get their libraries out to programmers. Often this
may involve doing regular software updates
• Phoenix Contact uses the internet to get libraries out. We store them on a website called the
“PLCNext Store”, although you don’t need to buy them (usually)

45
 Adding Libraries via PLCNext Store
• The PLCnext Store is our version of
the Apple App Store.
• Open your favorite browser
(although Firefox and Chrome are
preferred)
• Go to “www.plcnextstore.com”
• Expand “Type” and click “Library”
• There are 3 main types of files
• Library – add-on instructions to
PLCnext Engineer
• Solution – fully developed
application, doesn’t require further
programming
• App – Programs created outside of
PLCnext Engineer that can be used
alongside for control applications

46
 Adding Libraries via PLCNext Store
• In the search box type
“Analog” and click the
magnifying glass button
to search
• A number of library
options relating to Analog
function will appear
• Click on the
“AnalogTechnology”
Library

47
 Adding Libraries via PLCNext Store
• A product page will
open with lot of useful
information, including
revision history and
support parts
• There is a link to
download a support
document. Note that a
copy of the document is
also including when you
download the library
• There is a button to ask
questions of the library
developer
• Click Download to save
to your PC

48
 Adding Libraries via PLCNext Store

• It will be necessary to
agree to some terms,
then click download
• File will download to
the Downloads file of
your PC

49
PLCnext Store File types
• Currently, a library from the PLCnext Store will download as either an
.msi File or as a .zip file
• If the file is an msi file, please proceed to the next page

• If the file is a .zip file, please go to page 53

50
 Installing Library to your PC (msi)

• Libraries install as .msi

files and usually have the
prefix PLCNE
• Double-click to install
• Make sure to note where
the file is installed

51
 Installing Library to your PC
• Programs tend inside the User
folder on a PC, but can be
changed
• Besides the actual library file, help
documents and sample programs
are also installed
• Skip to page 54

52
 Installing Library to your PC (zip)
• Libraries downloaded as
.zip files usually have the
prefix PLCNE
• Extract to your preferred
folder
• This can be any folder, but
PLCnext Engineer default
folder is
“C:\Users\Public\Public
Documents\Phoenix
Contact Libraries\PLCNext
Engineer”
• Besides the actual library
file, help documents, and
sample programs are also
installed

53
 Adding Library to PLCNext Engineer Program
• After the library has been
installed to the PC, it’s
time to add it to the PLC
program
• Go to PLCNext Engineer,
the Components on the
right side and at the
bottom click
“Libraries(1)” to expand
• Right click the new
“Libraries(1)” that
appears and select “Add
User Library

54
 Adding Library to PLCNext Engineer Program
• Browse to the folder
location that you noted
from the install file
• If you don’t recall, the
default is C://User/Public/
Documents/Phoenix
Contact Libraries/PLCNext
Engineer
• Note the Documents (Help
manuals) and the Example
Programs

55
 Adding Library to PLCNext Engineer Program
• Note the Library is now
displayed under the
“Libraries” section,
which shows all installed
libraries
• It also appears in the
“Programming” area,
which now contains all
the instructions that you
have added
• These are the
instructions you can now
use in programming

56
 Viewing added instructions
• Go to the “Programming”
Section under
“Components”
• Click on the down arrow
for “AnalogTechnology”
to expand
• Click on the down arrows
for “Function & Function
Blocks” and then again
for “Analog_Inputs” and
Analog_Outputs”
• These instructions help
with the scaling and
parameterization of
analog I/O blocks
• For this exercise, we will
focus on the
“ANL_AI_NORM_3”
which is used to
parameterize the analog
inputs of the AI2AO2
module

57
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• PLCNext Engineer
allows you the ability
to make your own
instructions!
• Rather than repeating
the same ladder over
and over, you can
encapsulate it in a
single block (function
block) and then use
that over and over
• Created instructions
can even be saved as
new libraries and sent
out to other
programmers
• Under the “Local”
icon, Right Click on
“Functions &
Function Blocks” in
Components Window
and select “Add
Function Block”

58
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• Right-Click on
“NewFunctionBlock”
and select
“Rename”
• Rename the
Function Block to
“AI_2_D_V”
• When finished, this
new instruction will
take a raw analog
input value and
scale it to a digital
value. It will also
turn on bits in
ascending order as
the analog value
increases

59
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• Double-Click on
“AI_2_D_V”
• This will open an
editor to select
which language
you want to
program in
• Select “Add LD
Code
Worksheet”

60
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• Click on “Variables” to
open the Variable Display
and Entry Window
• Type in the first variable
“wRaw_Value” and make it
a Word
• Note: Eventually wRaw is
going to hold the raw data
of an analog input.
Phoenix Contact analog
inputs are always going to
be Word data.
• There are several types of
variables. Common ones
are
• BOOL – On/Off
• WORD – Any 16-bit value –
0 - 65536
• INT – Signed 16 bit integer
+/- 32768
• REAL – Floating point
number
61
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• Set the Usage to “Input”

• An variable set to
“Input” will appear on
the left-hand side of the
created function block
as an input to the block
• Other common Usages
• Output – appears on
right side as output of
block
• Local – used for code
inside the function block
• In-Out – for a signal that
might appear on both
sides, like an enable
signal, or buffer storage

62
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• Create all the variables as shown below

63
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• Click on “Code”
to open the
ladder logic
editor

64
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• One method for

entering ladder
code is to drag and
drop
• Go to the
AnalogTechnology
Library and click
and hold
“ANL_AI_NORM_3”
• Drag and drop the
block into the
ladder editor

65
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• When you let go of

the instruction, it
will appear with a
default name that
you can change if
you wish
• Note in the lower
right-hand corner
there is an
overview map
showing the
location of the
instruction
• There isn’t much to
show now, but as
you add more and
more instructions,
this can become
very useful!

66
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• Drag and drop is

not the only way
to program in the
ladder editor
• You can click
anywhere in the
editor and type in
an instruction
• Click in a spot
similar where
shown in the
picture to the
right. Type GT

67
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• GT stands for
“Great Than”
which is a
comparison
instruction
• As you start
typing, the editor
will make
suggestions. You
can click on the
appropriate
instruction, or hit
“enter”

68
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• GT appears with
red bars in
various locations
• The red bar
across the top
indicates that the
instruction
doesn’t have all
the required data
connected to it
• The instruction
requires 2 inputs,
so they are red as
well

69
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• Connect the variables

created previously to the 2
instructions
• You can type the variable
right in the ladder editor
and then drag a line to
connect, or you can click
and hold on a variable and
drag it to the input point on
the instruction and “bump”
it. That will create a
connective line as well

70
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• You will make a copy of the GT code,
comparing to a different value
• To speed this up, click and hold your
mouse near the upper left hand
corner of the grey rectangle that
surrounds the function block and it’s
values. Don’t click right on the
corner, just a bit above it. Drag your
mouse to highlight the function block
• Right click on GT and select copy

71
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• Right click inside the
editor and select
“Paste”
• Change the output to
Out2 and the
comparison value to
300.0

72
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)

• It’s easy to drag the

networks around, just left
click and hold on a GT
instruction and drag
them around. Arrange
them to look neat

73
 Creating your own instruction! (Function Block)
• This is a good point to
rebuild and save
• Rebuild checks all the
syntaxes and does a
final creation of
variables. It’s good to
do this often
• It is always a good
idea to save often!

74
Opening a program, so we can use our new function block

We’ve started a Project, we have added,

and configured I/O, we have set up
communications between the project and
the PLCnext controller. Now we can begin
to program.
• Still in the COMPONENTS section, under
Programming/Local/Programs, double
click on “Main” to open this blank new
program.

75
 Opening a program, so we can use our new function block
We’ve started a Project, we have added,
and configured I/O, we have set up
communications between the project
and the PLCnext controller. Now we can
begin to program.
• Still in the COMPONENTS section,
under Programming/Local/Programs,
double click on “Main” to open this
blank new program.
• Next you will be prompted to pick a
Program Language – Select “Add LD
Code”
• LD – Function block and Flexible Ladder
• ST – Structured Text
• NOLD – Rigid Structured Ladder

76
Getting ready to use FB in ladder
• You will see a new window open in the central working area
• The tab will have the program’s name “Main”, and the “Code” sub-tab will be selected

77
Selecting a function block
• Drag and drop the “AI_2_D_V” function block onto the work surface or click in the editor and type the
function name in, if you prefer.

78
 Creating Global Variables/tags
• Previously you created internal
tags/variables that were only used inside a
function block
• You also created a tag called
Voltage_0_10. This is known as a Global
Variable, also known as an External
Variable. These variables take the data
inside of a ladder and use outside of the
ladder – sharing information with other
programs, with HMIs, and with real world
I/O. You will now make more global
variables.
• There are several ways to create global
variables, but the most common way is to
click on the IEC 61131-3 icon in the Plant
project tree

79
 Creating Global Variables/tags
• After clicking “IEC 61131-3”, then
click “Data List” to show the currently
existing global tags.
• The screen capture on the left is from
an existing program, a new program
will not show any variables
• Next – click on the arrow. This will
expand the table and show
previously hidden columns that we
will need to access

80
 Creating Global Variables/tags
• The most important of the hidden
columns is “Type”
• Type – is the data type for the
variable. Common ones are
• BOOL – On/Off
• WORD – Any 16-bit value – 0 - 65536
• INT – Signed 16 bit integer +/- 32768
• REAL – Floating point number

• Fill out the table as shown to the

right
• When done, click on the arrow again
to collapse the columns

81
 Creating Global Variables/tags
• The “Process data item” column
allows the programmer to associate
the created variables to real world
I/O
• Simply click in the box next to the
variable and select the desired I/O
point from the drop-down box

82
 Creating Global Variables/tags
• Fill out the table as shown to the
right
• Simply click in the box next to
the variable and select the
desired I/O point from the drop-
down box
• Note that
“Scaled_Voltage_Value” is not
associated with any I/O. This is a
calculated value output by our
created function block A_2_D_V.
It will be used outside of the
ladder, in our eHMI, so making it
global/external makes this easier
to do

83
 Adding variables to a function block
• Return to the program “Main”.
This can be easily done by using
the tab up top, or you can click
on Main under the
Programming tree on the right
• Double-click in the ladder editor
near Out1 and start typing
OUTPUT_1 and select by enter
or by clicking

84
 Adding variables to a function block
• When OUTPUT_1 appears, click
and hold it with the mouse and
drag it close to Out1
• A line should automatically
appear, connecting OUTPUT_1
to Out1.
• Release the mouse button, and
the variable should be
connected to the instruction!
• Attach the other global
variables that you created

85
 Adding local variables to a function block
• Note that only iErrorCode
remains to be programmed
• In this program, the variable to
be connected to iErroCode is
going to a Local Variable
• A Local Variable is a variable
that will primarily be used
inside the ladder and not
necessarily connected to an
HMI or I/O

86
 Adding local variables– Method 1 (On the Fly)
• It is possible to create a variable
“on the fly” Type the variable
name in the ladder editor. It
will appear colored red because
it doesn’t actually exist
• Click and hold the variable and
connect it to iErrorCode by
“bumping” it against the
instruction
• The variable will connect, but
notice that the error “The
variable doesn’t exist” is still
shown

87
 Adding local variables– Method 1 (On the Fly)
• Click on the variable and you
will see a series of symbols. The
2 most commonly used are
“VAR” to create a local variable
and “VAR E” to create a
global/external variable
• Click on “VAR”. AnalogError will
be a local variable

88
 Adding local variables– Method 1 (On the Fly)
• Just to verify the value was
created properly, return to the
Variable table.
• Since iErrorCode on the
function block is an integer
output, any variable connected
to it needs to be an INT as well
• Note that AnalogError is an INT
• Declaring variables on the fly
creates a BOOL by default, so it
is important to connect the “on-
the-fly” variables to their
instructions before completing
the creation

89
 Adding local variables– Method 2 (via Variables Tab)
This is an explanation for another
way to add variables. This method
is useful if the programmer has
figured out all the variable ahead
of time. We will not use this
method at this time, since we
added the variable “on the fly”
• One way to add a local variable
is to click on the Variables tab
• This opens the Variable table
that holds the variables for that
program.
• You just type in the variable and
declare the Type and Usage
• The variable can then be added
in the ladder just as was done
previously

90
Let’s test to see if the program works
Right click on “axc-f-2152 – 1 : AXC-F-2152”
below “Project” in the PLANT section.

From the drop-down menu, select “Write and

Start Project”

This will send our newly created program to

the PLCnext controller and start running the
program. It will take a minute or so.

91
Let’s confirm everything works so far…
• Double click on “axc-f-2152 – 1 : AXC-
F-2152” below “Project” in the PLANT
section.

• Click on the “Data List” Subtab in the

central working space
• You may need to scroll to the bottom
to find the scaled analog input
variables we recently created
• Just for fun, flip the toggle switches to
verify the inputs work
• Twist the knob and verify that Output
1 And 2 switch from False to True at
the appropriate threshold values.

92
Let’s test to see if the program works
• Switch screens to see an alternate view.
• Go to the “Main” tab, and the “Code” sub
tab.

• Click on the arrow to sync the

programming environment with the
online execution in the PLCnext controller

93
Let’s test to see if the program works
• If the code has been created
and downloaded properly, you
will see a series of blue lined
data (words) and red lined data
(Boolean)
• Twist the analog know and
watch the code change

94
 • EN allows the programmer to add on/off functionality to
Adding a function block
• It is an optional parameter than can be added when
EN/ENO necessary
• ENO allows multiple blocks to be connected together
and controlled by the same input

95
 Adding EN/ENO
• Go to Variables and add 2 new
local tags
• Scan_Counter (DINT)
• Reset_SC (BOOL)

96
 Adding EN/ENO
• Place and ADD instruction in the
Main program
• Left-click on the ADD to open
the option across the top
• Click on the EN/ENO enable
disable icon on the upper left-
hand corner

97
 Adding EN/ENO
• Use Input_0 (created previously
and connected to toggle switch
1) as the EN
• Address the rest of the
instruction as shown to the right
• Download the program and
monitor. Toggle Input_0 on/off
to see the effect on the ADD
instruction

98
 Adding EN/ENO
• Place GE and MOVE instructions
• Connect the ADD ENO to the GE
EN. These instructions will be
toggled on/off by Input_0
• Build the ladder as shown.

• Download, run and monitor

99
 Forcing Values in Ladder
• It is possible to change values
in ladder and to force I/O off
and on in order to test
program functions
• This can only be done when
the ladder is being
monitored.
• Double-click the
Scan_Counter tag
• In the pop-up, fill in 9900 and
click the pencil.
• This will bump the scan
counter close to the 10000
threshold, so the appropriate
code can be tested

100
Programming the HMI
PLCnext Engineer has a built-in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) editor.
The HMI pages that are created are downloaded onto the PLCnext
controller which then serves them in HTML5 format to any connected
device with an internet browser.
• Display the web-based HMI pages on
• Laptop, desktop computer
• Tablets, smartphones
• HTML5 capable panel-mounted HMI operator interface screens

101
Before we start on the eHMI

• Make sure to disconnect from

the PLC
• Many program changes can only
be made while disconnected

102
Getting started with HMI programming
• Click on the down arrow
next to “HMI Webserver”
in the Project tree in the
PLANT section.
• Right click on
“Application”
• Select ”Add HMI Page”
• Double-click on the
created page to open it

103
 Ready to start programming the HMI
You now have a
blank page that is
ready for objects to
be drawn and linked
to the program.

104
 Adding an object (symbol) to the project
• To access the various HMI
objects, it is necessary to go to
the Components window and
then open/expand the (HMI)
section.
• Many of the animated object
are under the “Default” menu
and the “Symbols” sub-menu.
• Since one of our analog inputs
is a level sensor, it makes sense
to use a vertical gauge as one of
our symbols
• Drag and drop the symbol to
the workspace

105
 Programming the HMI
• Click on this symbol so the
configuration box displays.
• Click on the “Parameters” tab at
the bottom of the configuration
box
• Click in the “Source Value” box
• Since “Scaled_Voltage_Value” is
the variable that represents
level, select it.
• Now click on “Settings” at the
bottom of the configuration
box.

106
Configuring the HMI object
• Change the “Scale.Properties.Scale range” / “Scale
maximum” to match (or approximate) the range of
the input (which is 0-300 (feet)).

• Scroll down and change “Needle.dynamic.path” to

match the value you enter for “scale maximum”.
• Scroll down and set “Scale.Properties.Major tick
marks” to 20

107
 Disabling security on web-HMI (for demo)
• To avoid the need to add
password protection to access
the Web HMI, access the tab
shown by double clicking on “HMI
Webserver” in the Project tree in
the PLANT area.

• Select “None” for Enforcement of

user levels

108
Simplify the HMI application by eliminating
the login provision.
• Right click on the “Login” entry under
“Application”
• Select “Delete” from the menu.
• This will remove the need to program the
screen to include a sign-on interface, and for
the user to log in every time.
• When you delete the “login” page, the error
will go away.

109
Check out the functioning HMI
Download the eHMI using the same
method as downloading ladder code
After the program has been downloaded,
follow this procedure to view your eHMI
• Double click here:
• Click on the “Cockpit” tab.
• Click on the icon that looks like a tablet
(to the left of the rocket icon).
• This will launch the default web
browser to let you see the “runtime”
version of the HMI page we are
creating.

110
View the HMI page, interact with it
• You will likely get an error warning
you to avoid this webpage. The
“web” page is internal to the PLCnext
controller and it is safe.
• Navigate to the page, despite the
warning. (This warning screen will
look slightly different based on the
internet browser being used.

111
View the HMI page, interact with it
• You will likely get an error warning
you to avoid this webpage. The
“web” page is internal to the PLCnext
controller and it is safe.
• Navigate to the page, despite the
warning. (This warning screen will
look slightly different based on the
internet browser being used.

Twist the potentiometer now and

watch the needle move, corresponding
to the analog input representing level!

112
Get back into the PLCnext Engineer
programming environment
• Once you are back in PLCnext Engineer, Right click on
And disconnect from the PLCnext controller.
• Double click on “Page” on the Project tree in the PLANT area, and make sure the “HMI Page” sub tab is
selected.
• You should be back to the HMI development environment as seen on the next slide.

113
Add another symbol – Just to see another gauge
• Use the same process as with the vertical
gauge to drag and drop it into the
workspace.
• From parameters tab, assign
“Scaled_Voltage_Value” as the variable.
• Using the same methods when
configuring the other symbol, configure
this gauge, but set the range to 400,
rather than 25.

114
Configuring the rotary gauge HMI object
• Your configuration
should look something
like this. These changes
are made under the
“Settings” tab
• After drawing the
symbol, download the
eHMI program to the
PLCnext and then view it

115
Check out the functioning HMI
• Double click here:
• Click on the “Cockpit” tab.
• Click on the icon that looks like a tablet
(to the left of the rocket icon).
• This will launch the default web
browser to let you see the “runtime”
version of the HMI page we are
creating.

116
Review the HMI runtime…
• The HMI is displayed as we would
expect
• Turn the potentiometer and the level
will rise and fall, as the pressure
increases and decreases
• Note: the pressure gauge shows the
numerical value and the units of
measure beneath the gauge. Let’s add
these to the vertical gauge.

117
 Adding text to the HMI page
• From the COMPONENTS section, under
HMI, click on “Text” and drag it onto the
work surface, then release.
• Double click on the object on the screen
(textbox with the word “text”)
• The configuration window will appear
(as shown).

118
Configuring text dynamics
• In the configuration window, click on the “Dynamics” tab at the
bottom.
• Click on “New dynamic” and select “Text” from the drop-down
menu.
• Next click next to “variable” and select the
“Scaled_Voltage_Value” since that is what will correspond to
the gauge’s value. Hit the ENTER key

119
Configuring text dynamics
• In the configuration window, click on the “Dynamics” tab at the
bottom.
• Click on “New dynamic” and select “Text” from the drop-down
menu.
• Next click next to “variable” and select the
“Scaled_Voltage_Value” since that is what will correspond to
the gauge’s value. Hit the ENTER key
• Indicate the number of places after the decimal that you want
to display.

120
Further configuration of the text object
• Click on the Text tab at the bottom of the
configuration window
• Under the “Text” section, click the down arrow near
the font style is indicated
• Choose the color of the test to be displayed. I am
choosing orange.
• You can change the font size and style here too.
• Click on the object, drag and drop beneath the
vertical gauge.
• Save the project.

121
 Further configuration of the text object

• Create an object to show the units for this

variable.
• Since we are measuring level, something like
“Feet” would be good.
• As before, choose “text” from the COMPONENTS
section under “HMI”
• Drag and drop it under the last object, and enter
the text “Feet” that you want to display
• Alter the text to your liking (color, size, font, etc.)
• Save the project, download to the PLCnext
controller, and open the webpage to view.

122
Two analog gauges, complete in HMI

123
Adding some digital inputs / outputs
• We will add some digital inputs, and then
some outputs.
• On the physical side, we will wire some of the
PLCnext controller’s digital outputs to some of
its digital inputs, so when an output turns on,
a corresponding input will simultaneously turn
on
• Earlier we programmed DO 1 and 2 to each
turn on based on the values of the current and
voltage inputs.
Note: Black fill was added to the background for
aesthetic reasons. This will be shown on the
next page

124
 A brief interlude – Screen Background Colors
• Often, viewing esthetics may require a
background color other than white
• Before changing the background color, check
the text and graphical objects to see if they
need alteration first.
• In this exercise, we will be changing the
background to black, so it would be
advantageous to change any texts from black
to a good contrasting color such as white or
yellow
• For the 2 graphs, the default text color is black,
Please change these colors under the settings
tab to some other color, such as white

125
 A brief interlude – Screen Background Colors
• To change the screen
background color,
double-click
anywhere in the
screen
• The Page Setting
dialog box will pop
up. Click on “Fill”
and set it to black

126
Creating “indicating lights” to show DI status
• Drag and drop an “Ellipse” object from the HMI
menu under the COMPONENTS section.
• This will make a circle which will function as an
indicator light which we will configure to “light up”
when the corresponding digital input is turned ON.
• Since we have 8 digital inputs, copy and paste this
object to make 8 circles, and arrange them as you
desire.
• Simply use control C, control P to replicate the
circles.

127
Adding dynamics to turn on and off the indicator
lights based on digital input state
• Double click on one of the circles
• Click on the Dynamics tab

128
Adding dynamics to turn on and off the indicator
lights based on digital input state
• Double click on one of the circles
• Click on the Dynamics tab
• Click on “New Dynamic”
• Click on “Color or Fill” from the drop-
down menu, and click on “Fill”

129
Adding dynamics to turn on and off the indicator
lights based on digital input state
• Double click on one of the circles
• Click on the Dynamics tab
• Click on “New Dynamic”
• Click on “Color or Fill” from the drop-
down menu, and click on “Fill”
• Choose a variable to associate with this
button, Input_0
• Make the fill a dark color when the
condition is false, and a bright color when
the condition is true. (light turns “on”
when digital input is turned on)

130
Adding/configuring the variables in the Data list
• Configure each input “indicator light” the same
way. Just changing the Variable for each…Input_1,
Input_2…Input_8
• (You could create any variable name you
desire...maybe something more descriptive, like
Pump 1 running, or dosing pump On….)
• You can create variable names in the HMI
environment.
• You will need to define them and link them on
another screen.

131
Adding/configuring the variables in the Data list

• Navigate to the “Data List” tab by double

clicking here and choosing the “Data List”
sub-tab
• If the list is expanded, contract it by clicking
here (the arrow should be pointing to the
right)
• Scroll to the bottom, add the variables you
created on the HMI page by clicking and
entering them here
• Associate each variable with a Process Data
Item as shown

132
The HMI screen with digital input indication
• Earlier in this training, we had created two
Greater Than comparison function blocks.
When the analog inputs exceeded certain
thresholds, they would turn on Digital
Outputs 1 and 2, respectively.
• I have cranked up the potentiometer so that
both outputs have turned on
• You’ll note that digital inputs 0 and 6 have
turned on.
• (I wired DO1 to DI0, and DO2 to DI6 on the
PLCnext controller)

133
Adding a counter and reset to program/HMI
• Get back to the Project and the
“Main” (program) tab, and the
“code” sub-tab.
• Expand the Programming tree as
seen in this screenshot and drag and
drop the CTU (counter – up) function
block onto the work surface.

134
Programming a counter-up function block
• This counter will count the number of times the high-level
alarm is reached. We have a digital output which we have
already programmed to turn on when the
“Scaled_Voltage_Value” variable (which represents tank
level) reaches a certain value (21.5 feet). That digital output
is called “OUTPUT_2”.

• Double-click on the “CU” element. Type in “OUTPUT_2” .

Every time Output two turns on, the counter will increment
up by one.

135
Programming a counter-up function block
• Double click on “Reset” and type in “High_Level_Reset”.
This is a new variable that we will have to define. It is on
that we will use to reset the counter. (By clicking on a
button on the HMI).
• Make sure you declare this new variable as a VAR E
(External variable) from the menu items on this screen.
• Double click on “PV” and enter a value such as 32000. It
just needs to be a high number so the counter doesn’t
reach this number and stop counting.
• Double click on “CV” This is the counter value. Enter
“High_Level_Counter” This is a new variable that
keeps track of the count. Declare it as a VAR E on this
screen.

136
 Adding/configuring the variables in the Data list
• Click on the “Variables” sub tab*.
• Make sure you designate the
“High_Level_Counter” as an INT (integer) Type,
and the “High_Level_Reset” as a BOOL (Boolean)
Type.
• These make sense since the counter will be able
to produce an integer, and the reset will either
be true or false.
• Save the project.

* Or choose “PLC” from the project tree in the PLANT area, and manipulate the variables via the Data List tab.
137
Representing the counter in the HMI
• Get back to the HMI development
screen.
• We will use two text objects and one
button object.
• Click and drag a “Text” object onto
the work surface
• Double click it to open the
configuration window

138
Configuring text associated with the counter
• Make sure you are on the Text tab (bottom of the window).
• Type in “High Level Counter” in the text field
• Click on format and format the text as you wish (refer to earlier
section in this training if necessary)
• Enter
• Save project

139
Configuring text associated with the counter
• Click and drag a “Text” object onto the work
surface, to the right of the last one.
• Double click it to open the configuration window
• Go to the “Dynamics” tab
• Click “New Dynamic” and select “Text”
• Assign the “High_Level_Counter” variable as
shown.
• Go to “Text” tab (at bottom) and format the text
with the color, size, style you desire.
• Hit Enter and then Save the project

140
 Configuring text associated with the counter’s
reset button
• Drag and drop a
“Button” object onto
the work surface (near
the text we just
configured).
• Change it to look like
the button in the
picture
• Double click on it to
open the configuration
window.
• Click on “New dynamic”
twice to add “Action on
Pressed” and “Action on
Released”
• This will add two new
dynamics to make this
reset button function.
141
 Adding dynamics to the reset button
• Add a New Dynamic – “Action on Pressed” and configure as
shown to the right.
• Add a New Dynamic – “Action on Released” and configure as
shown to the right.
• Click to save the project as you would for any program
(File/Save)….

142
Download and test the HMI
• As we have done before, download the
project to the PLCnext controller, and start
execution of the program.
• *Then go to the “Cockpit” sub-tab and click
the icon (that looks like a tablet) to go to the
browser to check out the runtime version of
the HMI
* Or simply open your internet browser, and
type in the IP address of your PLCnext
controller.

143
 Viewing and interacting with the HMI
Success!
• Try cranking up the potentiometer
until it exceeds 21.5 feet and see if
the counter increments up by one
each time.
• Then click on the button. Does the
count reset to 0?
• And as you begin cranking up the
level – does it resume counting?
• If so, you did everything correctly!

144
Let’s make some HMI buttons that turn on
actual outputs on the PLCnext controller
• So far, we have turned on two digital outputs by doing some programming such that when one of two
analog inputs reaches a prescribed value, the corresponding digital output turns on.
• We have also created a button that resets an internal variable representing a counting function.
• Let’s combine elements of these two concepts and create some virtual pushbuttons in the HMI that, when
pressed, will directly turn on some digital outputs.
• Since DO1, and DO2 are already in use, lets use DO5, DO6, DO7, and DO8 for this exercise.

145
 Create and define the digital output variables
• First, let’s create the variables and
map them to the PLCnext controller’s
digital outputs
• Follow the example shown to the
right
• Click the right arrow symbol (>) in the
header of the Variable column to
expand this table.
• Verify that all the newly created
variables are of Type: “BOOL”

146
 Adding virtual pushbuttons to the HMI
We’ll end up making eight (8) buttons, a Start,
and a Stop for each of four “pumps”

You can choose a color scheme for your buttons,

and arrange them as you see fit

147
Adding and configuring pushbutton HMI objects
• Drag and drop a “Button” object onto the work surface.
• Double click on it to open the configuration window

148
Adding and configuring pushbutton HMI objects
• Drag and drop a “Button” object onto the work surface.
• Double click on it to open the configuration window
• On the button tab, configure as seen to the right (you
may elect to use “Start” instead of “Turn On”, etc.)

149
Adding and configuring pushbutton HMI objects
• Drag and drop a “Button” object onto the work surface.
• Double click on it to open the configuration window
• On the button tab, configure as seen to the right (you
may elect to use “Start” instead of “Turn On”, etc.)
• Scroll to the bottom of this window if you want to
change the button’s color

150
Set the dynamics of the button
• Click on the “Dynamics” tab
• Click “New dynamic / Action / Action on Click
• Choose “Write value” from the “Action” drop down menu
• Complete the configuration as seen to the right
• Each of the “Turn On” (or “Start”) buttons will be configured this
way…only the Destination variable will change…OUTPUT_5 will be
replaced by _6, _7, _8
• Each of the “Turn Off” (or “Stop”) buttons will have “False” selected for
Source Constant, and the various buttons will each have the same
Destination variable selected as their corresponding “Start” button

151
Create and configure eight buttons
• Use Control C and Control V to copy and paste this button until you
have a total of eight (8) buttons
• Double click on each button to configure each one appropriately.
• On the Button tab, you will want to keep the text as on the original
button for the three other “Turn on” (or “Start) buttons. you may want
to change these button’s color to green for example.
• On the other four buttons, on the button tab, make sure you change
the text to “Turn off” or “Stop”…you may also want to change the
button’s background color to red, for example.

Four buttons shown, you will create

eight buttons, total
152
153
PLCnext Technology
End of this training module
PLCnext Technology
Appendices
 Popular Libraries
The PLCnext Store that was accessed earlier in this lesson contains many libraries that can assist greatly in ease of
programming. Here are some of the most common ones that a programmer may consider using

• AnalogTechnology scaling for all Axio and Inline Analog I/O

• AXL_Analog simpler scaling library just for Axio analog and temperature sensors
• IT_Library several network related operations including FTP and email
• Modbus_TCP easy implementation of Modbus TCP servers and clients
• PLCnext Edge Gateway installable application more than a library. Easy integration of remote and local
…………………………………………data logging into a cloud
• Datalogger takes data points from registers and I/O and logs into CSV file. May want to
…………………………………………consider contact local Phoenix Engineers for a USA built logger, however
• SMS_with_TC_Router allows the PLCnext, in conjunction with cellular router, to send texts
• DataMux when using Profinet between 2 PLCs, allows for the exchange of complex data

156
 Common Web Server Pages
Diagnostics Page

• PLC and I/O error

codes

157
 Network Page

• Change/configure
various network
settings w/o
using PLCnext
Engineer

158
 System Services Page

• Many different
services are active
out of the box
• You can turn off
services that you do
not expect to use, to
save CPU power
• For instance, turn off
Profinet Slave or E/IP
Slave , if these are
not going to be used

159
 User Authentication

• Change password
• Turn off
authentication
• Create new roles
with differing
responsibilities

160
 Security Page

• Set Firewall rules

• Activate/Deactive
Firewall

161