Add data points

A data point is the item being logged, e.g. a temperature value, and must be specified in the log file.

1. Go to Data Logger > Log file settings.
2. Click on the log file to which you want to add a data point and go to Data point settings.
3. Select Add new to add a new data point. To add multiple data points at the same time, enter the required number.

   By default, new data points are added with the default settings. To copy the settings from another data point, select the desired data point from the list.

   The data point names are automatically created. You can rename each data point as needed.

   A counter indicates the total number of data points.

   To delete one or more entries from the list, click the individual check boxes and then Delete selection.

   For a larger view of the data point settings, you can hide the data point list by disabling Show data point list.

4. Enter the data point name, e.g. Temperature, in the Data point name text box and the unit, e.g. °C, in the Unit text box.

   The data point name will appear in the header of the log file.

5. COM interface: Select the physical interface or the internal interface (INTERN) of the FP-I4C unit to receive the log data.

   The interface INTERN refers to the addressable internal memory areas of the FP-I4C unit which are accessible via Modbus/TCP or the script function.

   It is possible to select a different interface for each data point. However, we recommend to use a separate log file for each interface. If you have defined multiple interfaces within a single log file and if one or more interfaces are not available (not connected or offline), values may be missing in the log file or the log file may not be created.

6. Station number: Set the station number of the connected device.

   Use the default setting 0 for RS232. Set a number greater than 0 for RS485 and Ethernet. For Ethernet, the station number corresponds to the last octet of the IP address.

7. For Register type, select which type of data value is logged and specify the memory address.

   • Momentary value: the current value at the time of reading

   • Difference value: the difference value calculated from the previous value

     The first logged value will be empty or not valid because there is no previous value.

   Select a memory area and enter the address of the data point. FL is only available for FP2 series PLCs.

   For Modbus communication, the memory areas are mapped as follows. The offset for the memory areas is added automatically, e.g. the address DT10 is mapped to holding register 400010.

   • DT, FL: Holding register
   • LD: Input register
   • Y, R: Coil
   • X: Input
8. For Data format of the logged value, select a data type, the number of decimal places, and the endianness (byte order). Typically, Intel-based systems (as well as Panasonic devices) use the little endian byte order.

   Example: If the value 0x1A2B3C4D (decimal 439041101) is stored at the byte addresses 1000 to 1003, the bytes are stored in the following orders.

   • Little endian order: 4D 3C 2B 1A
   • Big endian order: 1A 2B 3C 4D
   • Middle endian order (32 bit only): 3C 4D 1A 2B
   • Mixed endian order (32 bit only): 2B 1A 4D 3C
9. To apply scaling, enable Apply scaling and set the values for the range of raw values read from the PLC (PLC range) and the scaled value range (Scaled range).

   This function is useful for direct logging of analog values.

10. Save your configuration.

    When you have changed any settings, a Save button appears in the upper right corner of the screen. You can make changes on multiple pages and then save your settings.