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Industrial Ethernet Switches & Modems

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 ISaGRAF IEC 61131-3

Just click on a question below to get the answer:
Sales FAQ    (Go to Support FAQ)
Support FAQ

Click here to download a more advanced and
comprehensive set of ISaGRAF FAQs.
Please note that
some of these topics may not apply to SIXNET's version
of ISaGRAF. To view the file you must first unzip it and
then run it.

What languages are supported?

ISaGRAF supports all five of the IEC 61131-3 languages which are ladder logic, function block, structured text, instruction list, and sequential function charts. In addition, flow chart programming is also supported.

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Can I use only one language per ISaGRAF program?

No. You can use any of the 6 supported languages throughout your program to achieve the results that you need. Refer to the SIXNET ISaGRAF Help or ISaGRAF Manual (PDF) for details.

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Is a PID routine provided? What other functions are available?

Yes, an easy to use PID function block is provided. For a complete list of ISaGRAF functions please refer to the SIXNET ISaGRAF Help.

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What size ISaGRAF Workbench do I need?

There are four I/O point sizes of the ISaGRAF program development Software: 32, 256, 1024 and unlimited. Any physical or virtual I/O point that can be accessed from outside of the ISaGRAF program will add to the total point count. Any I/O point that is not referenced in the program does not add to the count. Internal variables (not accessible from outside the program) defined within ISaGRAF are not counted. Generally, real analog points will call for more virtual I/O points (i.e. setpoints, scaled values, etc.) than discrete points will. As a rule of thumb, expect to use two or three times as many tags as physical I/O in your system.

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Will other IEC 61131-3 programs work with my SIXNET hardware?

Programs created for other manufacturer's hardware using the ISaGRAF Workbench can be recompiled to run with SIXNET hardware providing that proprietary function blocks have not been included in your program. If you are using a different IEC 61131-3 editor, you probably will have to reenter your program (with probably only minor changes) into ISaGRAF.

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When do I have to buy an ISaGRAF Windows Run-time (Isarun) license?

You only have to buy Isarun when you are going to be running an ISaGRAF program on more than one computer. Your first Isarun license comes with the ISaGRAF workbench. You don't need Isarun licenses at all if you only intend to run your programs in SIXNET controllers or RTUs.

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Can I write my own C functions to run in my ISaGRAF program?

No, but you can write your own function comprised of any of the 6 languages that ISaGRAF supports. However, with the LINUX-enabled SIXNET units you can easily write your own C or C++ functions or applications.

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I'm getting an error when I install ISaGRAF from the SIXNET CD?

First, restart your computer and make sure not to run any SIXNET software. Make sure you don't have Power Switch in your Startup because this will automatically run SIXNET software when your computer starts up. Then retry the installation.

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I just got my SIXNET ISaGRAF. How do I get started?

First, install the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit software, the SIXNET ISaGRAF Workbench, and then the SIXNET ISaGRAF Run-time. Then refer to the ISaGRAF Self-study Tutorial that will walk you through creating and loading an ISaGRAF program to a SIXNET controller or RTU. Also, refer to the SIXNET ISaGRAF Help file and the ISaGRAF Manual (PDF) for additional information.

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Why won't the ISaGRAF workbench communicate with my SIXNET controller or RTU?

First, make sure you can communicate to your station from the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit software. Then, run ISaGRAF and go to the Debug menu and select Link Setup. Make sure the Target Slave Number is 1 (this is not station number) and the Communications Port is "SIXNET". If it is not "SIXNET " then you need to re-install Isarun (SIXNET Windows Run-time). Then click on Setup and go into the Communications Setup window. Make sure you have selected the right Target, Mode, and Device. Also, make sure you have selected the right project file and station you want to communicate to. ISaGRAF will get the necessary communications parameters (i.e. IP address) from your project file. Now go to the Debug option under the Debug Menu and try to communicate to your station again.

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Why am I getting a MNTV error when I make (compile) my program?

The MNTV settings determine how much temporary variables are allocated for on-line changes. As your program gets larger you may need to increase these settings. Refer to SIXNET ISaGRAF Help for how to change these settings.

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Why am I getting an error when I make (compile) my program?

Errors can occur for various reasons. Just double click on the error message and the ISaGRAF workbench will take you to the location in your code where the error is. The error message should give you an indication of what type of error it is.

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Why am I getting an "Too many I/O points" error when I make (compile) my program?

This means that your program has more I/O variables than your license allows. Check the Help menu - About window in ISaGRAF and it will tell you what your license is. Make sure your hardware license key is plugged into the parallel port on your PC. If the About window still doesn't indicate the right license then try installing the appropriate sentinel driver.

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Why am I getting a memory error when I load?

This usually means that your program has gotten too big for the default memory allocations in the SIXNET controller or RTU. Use the SIXNET I/O Tool Kit software to adjust the memory settings. For legacy SixTRAK Gateways and VersaTRAK RTUs, go to the Operations menu - Advanced Operations - Resources and increase the size of your dynamic memory by reducing the size of your file system. Typically you need ((2 x (.x6m file size) + 100K) for your dynamic memory size.

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Why do I get a GPF crash shortly after I have selected my project file in the Communications Setup window?

There is a known problem in Windows 98 where this may occur. Usually this crash is only cosmetic and doesn't affect any of your settings. After the crash you should still be in ISaGRAF. Just reopen your program and proceed as normal. This problem has not been seen in Windows 95, ME, NT, 2000, or XP.

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