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70072-0104-14

06/2009

TECHNICAL NOTE

Modbus and ION Technology


ModiconModbusisacommunicationsprotocolwidelyusedinprocesscontrol
industriessuchasmanufacturing.PowerLogicIONmetersarecompatible
withModbusnetworksasbothslavesandmasters,andcancommunicateeasily
withIONEnterprise,IONSetuporthirdpartysoftware.
ThistechnicalnotedescribestheModbusprotocolingeneral,howtouse
ION metersandsoftwarewithModbusdevices,andhowIONmetersfitintoa
Modbusnetwork.

In This Document
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
TheModbusMessage.................................................. 3
ModbusMapsforIONMeters........................................... 5
ION and Modbus in Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Scenario1:IONMetersinaModbusNetwork ............................. 6
Scenario2:ModbusDevicesinanIONEnterpriseNetwork ................. 7
Scenario3:IONMeterasModbusMaster ................................. 8
Scenario4:EtherGateandModbusRTU................................. 10
Scenario5:IONMeterasModbusGateway.............................. 10
ION Meters as a Modbus Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
IONModulesforModbusMaster ....................................... 11
MultiportSerialModbusMaster ........................................ 15

ION, ION Enterprise, Modbus,


Modicon, Power Measurement,
PowerLogic and Schneider Electric
are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of
Schneider Electric in France, the
USA and other countries. All
other trademarks are property of
their respective owners.
Electrical equipment should be
installed, operated, serviced, and
maintained only by qualified
personnel. No responsibility is
assumed by Schneider Electric for
any consequences arising out of
the use of this material.
2009 Schneider Electric.
All rights reserved.
www.powerlogic.com

ION Meters as a Modbus Slave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18


UsingtheIONMeterasaModbusSlave ................................. 18
ModbusSlaveModuleSettings ......................................... 18
Additional Information
IONReference
ION/ModbusRegisterMapdocumentthatappliestoyourmeter
www.ioserver.com(devicesthatsupportEnhancedModbus/TCP)
www.modicon.com(Modbus/TCPstandard,ModiconModbusSerial
CommunicationsProtocoldocumentation)
www.modbus.org(SEMIE540997standard)

Introduction

Modbus and ION Technology

Introduction
Modbusisaprotocolusedinindustrialmanufacturing.Itwascreatedtotransfer
controldatabetweencontrollersandsensorsusingRS232serialports.The
Modbusprotocoliswidelyusedandsupportedonserial(RS232andRS485)and
Ethernet(TCP/IP)connections.
Modbusisamaster/slaveprotocolwherethemasterinitiatestransactionsandthe
slavesrespondwiththerequesteddataoraction.Modbusmastersareusually
softwareprograms,suchasDistributedControlSystems(DCS).However,masters
canalsobedevicessuchasremoteterminalunits(RTU),programmablelogic
controllers(PLC)orIONmeters.ModbusslavesaredevicessuchasPLCs,
I/O monitoringdevices,relays,softwareandIONmeters.
IONmeters,whenusedasModbusmasterorslavedevices,providesensingfor
yourModbusnetworksoyoucanquicklyviewandrespondtopowerdataand
equipmentstatusinformation.
Modbus RTU and Modbus ASCII
TheModbusprotocolhastwobasicforms.TheRTUorBinaryformandtheASCII
form.TheASCIIformtransmitsallbytesusingtheASCIIcharacterset(09and
AF).TheRTUformtransmitsallbytesinabinaryformatmakingtheprotocol
fasterandmoreefficient.Bothformsareserial(RS232/RS485)protocols.
Whicheverformisused,boththemasterandtheslavesmustusethesameform.
Modbus Plus
ModbusPlusisaproprietaryModiconprotocolusedinindustrialnetworking
systems.Itusestokenpassingpeertopeercommunicationsatadatatransferrate
ofonemegabitpersecond(highspeedpassingofgroupsofbitswithinalayer).
Thenetworkmediumisshieldedtwistedpaircable.
Modbus/TCP
Modbus/TCPdefinesthepacketstructureandconnectionport(port502)forthe
industrystandardTCP/IPprotocol.ThestructureofaModbus/TCPpacketisvery
similartotheModbusRTUpacketexceptthatithasanextrasixbyteheaderand
doesnotrequirethecyclicredundancycheck(CRC).SomeIONfirmwaresupports
Modbus/TCPfordirectcommunicationswiththemeter,aswellasforuseina
Modbusgateway.
Modbus/TCPretainstheModbusRTUlimitof256bytestoapacket.Itissuggested
thathigherthroughputispossibleifthislimitationisremoved.Thisvariantis
calledEnhancedModbus/TCPbut,sofar,fewdeviceshavemovedtosupportit.

NOTE
Some devices support multiple simultaneous Modbus/TCP connections. If you are trying to connect to one
of these meters, it can take some time. Adjust your network timeout settings to accommodate this.

Modbus RTU over Ethernet


YourIONmetercanuseModbusRTUtotransportdirecttoaModbusdeviceover
Ethernet.

Page 2

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

The Modbus Message

The Modbus Message


ThereareafewvariantsoftheModbusprotocolforuseindifferentnetworksand
situationsbutallusethesamemessagestructure.ThemostcommonModbus
variantsareModbusRTU,ModbusASCII,ModbusPlusandModbus/TCP.The
Modbusmessagethatamastersendstoaslavecontainsthesemainpiecesof
information:
Type of Information

Description

Slave Address

Unit ID (from 1 to 247)1

Function Code

Read from or write to registers

Data

16-bit words of various formats

Checksum

CRC-cyclical redundancy check

Unit ID 0 (zero) is also allowed. This sends a broadcast message to all slave meters.

IONmetersarepreconfiguredwithaunitIDthatyoucanchangefromthefront
panelofthemeterorviasoftware.ThisunitIDservesastheslaveaddressthatthe
masterusestodeterminewhichslavetocommunicatewith.
ThefunctioncodeusedisbasedonthevariabletypethataparticularION meter
supports,andwhethertheIONmeterisactingasamasteroraslave.
Variable Types
ThebasicModbusmessagebuildingblocksarecalledvariabletypes.Variable
typesgroupdataintoaddressrangesthatperformcertainfunctions(using
functioncodes).Forexample,Coilregistershaveanaddressrangefrom00001to
09999andthedatathatmakesupthemessagecanbereadorwrittento(Function
1,5and15).
TherearefourmainclassesofModbusdata,orvariabletypes,thatsupport
differentfunctioncodes.Coilandinputregistersaresinglebitregistersusedto
indicateONorOFFconditions.Inputandholdingregistersare16bitregisters
usedtostoreandretrievedata.
Variable

Description

Supported Function Code

Address Change

Coils

Digital bits that can be read and written to

Function 1, 5, 15

00001 to 09999

Input Status

Digital bits that can be read

Function 2

10001 to 19999

Input Registers

16-bit integers that can be read

Function 4

30001 to 39999

Holding Registers

16-bit integers that can be read and written to

Function 3, 6 and 16

40001 to 49999

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Page 3

The Modbus Message

Modbus and ION Technology

Function Codes
IONmeters(actingasmasterorslave)useIONmodules(ModbusMasterDevice,
ModbusMasterMapping,ModbusImport,ModbusExportandModbusSlave
modules)tosupportthefollowingfunctioncodes:

Function

ION master or
slave function

Description

ION module that supports the function

Function 1

Read Coil Status

Master

Modbus Import, Modbus Master Device, and Modbus Master Map1

Function 2

Read Input Status

Master

Modbus Import, Modbus Master Device, and Modbus Master Map1

Function 3

Read Holding Registers

Master and slave

Modbus Import, Modbus Master Device, and Modbus Master Map1

Function 4

Read Input Registers

Master

Modbus Import, Modbus Master Device, and Modbus Master Map1

Function 5

Write to a Coil

Master

Modbus Export

Function 6

Write to a Holding Register

Master

Modbus Export

Function 15

Write to Multiple Coils

Master

Modbus Export

Function 16

Write to Multiple Holding Registers

Master and slave

Modbus Export and Modbus Slave

The Modbus Master Map module and the Modbus Master Device module work together, and reference
the settings in Modbus Master Options module; you need all modules configured properly for this
feature to work.

ThemaximumnumberofModbusregistersthemodulecanreadatonce(per
request)dependsontheModbusformatanddataregistertype.Modbussupports
acombinationof16bitdatatypes.Thesedataformatsuseoneortwo16bitwords
toencodesigned/unsignedorinteger/floatingpointnumbers:
Format

Page 4

Type

# of Modbus registers used

Unsigned 16-bit

Integer

Signed 16-bit

Integer

Unsigned 32-bit

Integer

Signed 32-bit

Integer

Unsigned 32-bit M10k

Integer

Signed 32-bit M10k

Integer

IEEE Float1

Floating point

Packed Boolean

Integer

ION meters acting as Modbus masters support two versions of IEEE Float with different word orders:
high/low = Big Endian, low/high = Little Endian. Big Endian/Little Endian is supported for all 32-bit
formats by ION meters acting as Modbus masters.

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Modbus Maps for ION Meters

Modbus Maps for ION Meters


TherearetwotypesofModbusmappingsavailableonIONmeters:oneisafixed
mapandthesecondisaflexiblemap.Thefixedmapisusefulforconfiguring
parametersontheIONmeter(slave)orallowingthirdpartysoftwaretoaccess
otherIONmodules.FormoreinformationontheModbusfixedmap,seeyour
metersUserGuide.
WhenamastersendsarequesttoafixedmapontheIONmeter(slave),thevalue
iswrittentothecorrespondingmappedregisterontheIONmeter.Forexample,
theModbusmastersends5toregister44590whichchangesthebaudrateon
COM2to19200thebaudrateisanenumeratedparameterandthefifth
enumerationis19200.
Modbus master writes to
this address and changes
COM2 baud rate

Fixed Modbus Map


COM2 baud rate
External Pulse
Digital Input port 1

Register 44590
Register 42001
Register 44476

IONmetersalsoprovideaflexiblemapthatyoucanuseforreadingdata.The
flexibleModbusmapletsyoureadvariousIONregisterswithModbusmaster
devicesbycorrelatingtheModbusregisternumberwiththeaddressoftheION
register(ontheslave)youwanttoread.WhenaModbusmasterrequeststoread
aregister,thecorrespondingIONregisterdataisreturned.
Flexible Modbus Map
Modbus Slave module

any ION register

input register

Vln a

Vln a

output register
setup registers

Register 40011

Vln b
...

Modbus master requests to


read register 40011 and
receives Vln a via the
Modbus slave module setup.

FormoreinformationontheModbusflexiblemapforIONmeters,seetheCommon
ModbusRegistersdocumentandAppendixEoftheION7300SeriesModiconModbus
SerialCommunicationsProtocoldocument.

NOTE
If you have Advanced security enabled, you must configure the Modbus Map Access register to allow write
access for specific users. See the Security Options module description in the ION Reference. If you have
Standard or Advanced security enabled on the meter, you can only read Modbus information from a
slave module. You must disable Standard security to write data to a slave module. See the ION System
Security technical note for more information.

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Page 5

ION and Modbus in Networks

Modbus and ION Technology

ION and Modbus in Networks


AnIONmeteractingasaslavecanmakerealtimedata(andinsomecases,
historicaldata)availabletoModbusmastersusingthirdpartysoftware.Modbus
masterscanalsowritedatatoIONmeterstochangedeviceconfigurationsor
initializecontrolactions.
YoucanuseIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwaretocollectdatafromandsend
datatoModbusdevicesdirectly.Similarly,theIONmeterwithModbusmaster
capabilitycancollectdatafromaModbusnetworkandsendittoIONSetupor
IONEnterprisesoftwarefordisplayandanalysis.UsingIONSetuporION
Enterprisesoftware,youcanconfigurethesemeterstoreaddatafromandwrite
datatoModbusslavedevices.
ThefollowingsectiondescribesdifferentscenarioswhereIONmetersandION
SetuporIONEnterprisesoftwareintegratewithModbusdevicesandnetworks.

Scenario 1: ION Meters in a Modbus Network


IfyouhavethirdpartyModbussoftware,youcancommunicatewithIONmeters
overEthernetandserialconnections.MostIONmeterswithEthernetcapability
supportModbus/TCPonTCPport502.Thereisnometerconfigurationrequired
forathirdpartymastertocommunicatewithanIONmeteroverTCP/IP.
Third-party software acting
as a Modbus Master

Ethernet
Modbus/TCP

Modbus
slave

ION meter with


optional Ethernet port

YoucanalsomakeaserialconnectiontoanIONmeterusingthirdpartysoftware.
Setthecommunicationportonthemeterusingthefrontpanelofthemeter.
Third-party software acting
as a Modbus Master

RS -4

85

Modbus
slaves

ION meter with serial port


set to Modbus protocol

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2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Scenario 2: Modbus Devices in an ION Enterprise Network

Setting the serial communication from the ION meter to third-party software
1.

Usingthefrontpanelofthemeter,navigatetothecommunicationsportyou
wanttousetoconnecttothirdpartysoftware.

2.

SettheprotocolforthisporttoModbusRTUandensurethebaudrate,unit
ID,serialportandRS232orRS485settingsarecorrect.
UseIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwaretomodifythesesettingsformeters
withoutafrontpaneldisplay.

Scenario 2: Modbus Devices in an ION Enterprise Network


YoucanaddaModbusslavedevicetoyourIONEnterprisenetworkusingRS232,
RS485orEthernet(shownbelow)connections.
ION Enterprise
software

Modbus/TCP

Modbus slave device

UsetheIONEnterpriseModbusDeviceImporterutilitytoconfigureyourModbus
device(mappinginformation)andadditasaDeviceTypetotheNetwork
Configurationdatabase.

NOTE
See the online ION Enterprise Help for more information on adding Modbus device types to
ION Enterprise. You can also contact Technical Support about pre-made Device Integration Packages,
which add a device directly into your system.

Oncethedevicetypeisadded,youcanseeyourModbusdeviceinadropdown
menuinManagementConsole.
Adding a Modbus device to the ION Enterprise network

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

1.

StartManagementConsole.ClicktheDevicesiconontheSystemSetuppane.

2.

RightclickinthedisplaywindowandselectNew>SerialDeviceonDirect
Site,New>SerialDeviceonEthernetGatewaySiteorNew>EthernetDevice,
dependingonyourtypeofconnection.TheDeviceConfigurationdialogbox
appears.

3.

Usethedropdownmenusortypetherequiredinformationinthefields.Your
ModbusdevicetypeappearsintheDeviceTypedropdownmenu.

Page 7

Scenario 3: ION Meter as Modbus Master

Modbus and ION Technology

Scenario 3: ION Meter as Modbus Master


Asamaster,theIONmetercanaggregatedatafrommultipleslavedevicesand
thenpassittoIONEnterpriseorIONSetupforanalysis.TheIONmeterasa
masteralsogivesyoucontrolofdevicesonaModbusnetworkwithitswrite
capability.
IftheIONmeteryouareusingisactingasamaster,therearetwocommunication
linkstoconsiderwhenyoucommunicatefromaModbusnetwork(ordevice)to
IONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftware:
BetweenthehardwarecommunicationsportontheIONmeterandthe
Modbusnetwork.Therearetwolinktypes,serialorEthernet.ModbusMaster
overEthernetusingTCP/IPisnotavailableonallmetertypes.
Theseriallinkisaonetoonerelationshipbetweenthephysical
communicationsportonthemeter(COM1,COM2,etc.)andtheserial
wiringthatconnectsthemetertoaModbusnetwork(RS232orRS485).

NOTE
Most Modbus Master-enabled meters support only one serial bus of Modbus Slave devices. However,
some meters offer multiple Modbus Master serial port functionality. See Multiport Serial Modbus Master
on page 15 for more information.

TheTCP/IPlinkcanconnectuptotendevicestotheModbusMaster.The
connectionsarecreatedbyenteringtheIPaddressofthedeviceyouwantto
connecttoandtheportnumber(ModbusTCP/IPisport502).
BetweentheIONmeterandIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwareFor
Ethernetcommunications,themeterallowsmultipleTCP/IPvirtualports(i.e
502,7701,etc.)toconnecttoasinglehardwareport.Onthemeter,TCP/IPvirtual
portsindicatetothesoftwarewhichprotocolisbeingusedtocommunicate.

Configuring the ION Meter to act as Modbus Master (serial)


1.

Usingthefrontpanelofthemeter,navigatetotheserialcommunicationsport
youwanttousetoconnecttotheModbusSlavedevices.

2.

SettheprotocolforthisporttoModbusMasterandensurethebaudrate,unit
ID,serialportandRS232orRS485settingsareappropriate.

UseIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwaretomodifythesesettingsformeters
withoutafrontpaneldisplay.

Page 8

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Scenario 3: ION Meter as Modbus Master

TheimagebelowshowshowIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwareandanION
meter(communicatingoverEthernet)canintegratewithaserialModbusnetwork.
ION meter as
Modbus Master

ION over Ethernet

ION Enterprise
software
ION6200

Modbus slave device

ION7550

Configuring the ION meter to act as a Modbus Master


(Ethernet)
YoumustuseIONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftwaretoconfigureModbusMaster
overTCP/IP.YourModbusMastermetermusthaveaphysicalEthernet
connection,bethecorrectmodel,andrunafirmwareversionthatsupportsthis
feature.YoucanenteruptotenuniqueIPaddressesthatbelongtoModbus
devicesyouwanttomaster,assignedtovirtualport502,intheModbusMaster
IONmeter.
Link to Modbus device using
the devices IP address
Modbus
device data

192.168.0.1:502

ION meter as
Modbus Master

Ethernet

Ethernet

Up to 10 unique IP
addresses can be entered
for Modbus Master

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Page 9

Scenario 4: EtherGate and Modbus RTU

Modbus and ION Technology

Scenario 4: EtherGate and Modbus RTU


EtherGate(Ethernetgateway)capabilityisbuiltintoallIONmeterswithEthernet
cards,excepttheION7300meter.WithEtherGate,userscancommunicateovera
networkwithanyIONorModbuscompatibledeviceconnectedtoanEtherGate
meterviaanRS485loop.
Modbus Master Device
TCP/IP protocol

ION meter with EtherGate


Serial protocol

Ports
7700 (ION)
7701 (Modbus RTU)
7801 (EtherGate COM1)
7802 (EtherGate COM2 or COM4)

Devices on a RS-485 loop

TheEtherGatemeteractsasanintermediarybetweentheRS485devices(Modbus
slaves)andtheModbusmaster,allowingtheModbusmastertosendandreceive
dataoverTCP/IP.InIONEnterprise,userscancreateanEtherGatesiteand
communicatewithaseriesofdevicesontheRS485loop.
FormoreinformationonEtherGateandIONmeters,seeTheIONMeterasan
EthernetGatewaytechnicalnote.

Scenario 5: ION Meter as Modbus Gateway


ModbusGatewaycapabilityisavailableonselectedIONmeters.WithanION
meteractingasaModbusGateway,aModbusmastercancommunicateviathe
EthernetusingModbus/TCPthroughthegatewaymetertodownstreamserial
devicesusingModbusRTU.

Ethernet
(Modbus/TCP)

ION7550 / ION7650 acting


as a Modbus Gateway

RS-485 loop
(Modbus RTU)
Workstations running Modbus
Master software send out a
Modbus request packet.

If the request packet is addressed to the


ION7550 / ION7650, it responds. If the
packet is addressed to one of the
downstream devices, the ION7550 /
ION7650 forwards the message.

Downstream
Modbus serial
devices

TheModbusGatewaymeteractsasanintermediarybetweenModbusslavesona
serialnetworkandtheModbusmasterdevice,allowingdatatobesentand
receivedoverModbus/TCP.
FormoreinformationonusingyourIONmeterasaModbusGateway,seeyour
metersUserGuide.

Page 10

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

ION Meters as a Modbus Master

ION Meters as a Modbus Master


IONmeterswithModbusmastercapabilityletyouwritedatato(export)andread
datafrom(import)Modbusslavedevices.TheIONmeter(actingasaModbus
master)canreaddataonaModbusnetworkandactasapointofdataaggregation.
Thedatacanbeprocessedbythemeterandsentoutusingothercommunications
methods(email,IONSetuporIONEnterprisesoftware,etc.).Themetercanalso
sendcontrolcommandsordatadirectlytootherdevicesonaModbusnetwork.

NOTE
Only one meter on a Modbus network can have the communications channel set to the Modbus Master
protocol.

ION Modules for Modbus Master


SeveralIONmodulesworktogethertocreateModbusmasterfunctionalityonthe
meter.Yourmetercanhavesomeorallofthesemodules,dependingonthemodel
andfirmwareversion.SeetheIONReferenceformoreinformationontheseand
otherIONmodules:
ModbusMasterDeviceModule:TheModbusMasterDevicemodulereads
datafromaModbusslave,whichcanbeanIONmeterorthirdpartydevice.
ThisimporteddatacanbeusedbyotherIONmodules.AModbusMaster
DevicemoduleusessettingsfromaModbusMasterMapmodulesetup
registertospecifytheModbusformat,scaling,andbaseaddresssettings.
ModbusMasterMapModule:providesacommonplacetoholdsetup
informationfordecodingaModbusresponse.Thisinformationcanbeusedby
multipleModbusMasterDevicemodules.
ModbusMasterOptionsModule:mapsanyserialconnectionorEthernetTCP
connectionfromtheModbusImport,ModbusExportandModbusMaster
DevicemodulestoanyserialcommunicationsportoruniqueIPaddressand
portnumber.
ModbusExportModule:TheModbusExportmodulewritesdatatoaModbus
device.AModbusmastercansenddata(numeric,pulseandBooleanregister
classes)toanIONmeterviaModbus.Youcanusethisdatatoenable,disable,
andresetmeteringfunctions,aswellaschangesetupregistervaluesto
configurethemetersoperation.
ModbusImportModule:TheModbusImportmodulereadsdatafroma
Modbusslave,whichcanbeanIONmeterorthirdpartydevice.Thisdatacan
thenbeusedbyotherIONmodules.AModbusImportmodulessetupregisters
specifytheModbusformat,scaling,andbaseaddresssettings.

NOTE
There are many Modbus Import, Modbus Export and Modbus Master Device modules available. The
modules behave like Modbus controllers. However, each module can only communicate to a single
Modbus slave device on a single communication connection.

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Page 11

ION Modules for Modbus Master

Modbus and ION Technology

Reading and Writing Data Using ION Enterprise


NOTE
Some legacy products have older variants of the Modbus Import and Modbus Export modules that contain
connection information now configured in the Modbus Master Options Module. If so, enter the
connection information into the appropriate registers in the Modbus Import or Modbus Export modules.

Reading Data from Modbus devices using the Modbus Master Device Module
1.

StartDesigner(ensurethatOptions>ShowToolboxischecked).

2.

NavigatetotheModbusMasterOptionsmodule.Rightclickthemoduletoedit
theregistervalues.
ForserialModbusMaster,configuretheSerialConnectionvaluestomatch
thecommunicationsport(e.g.,COM2,COM3)beingusedtocommunicate
withtheModbusslavedevices.
ForModbusMasteroverTCP/IP,configuretheTCPConnectionvaluesto
matchtheIPaddressoftheslavedeviceandtheport
(e.g.,192.168.0.1:502).

Register Name

Register Type

3.

NavigatetowhereyouwanttostoreyourModbusMasterconfiguration(e.g.,
3rdPartyProtocols>Modbus).Dragoutanewgroupingobjectfromthe
toolbox,nameitappropriatelyanddoubleclickonyournewgroupingobject.A
blankworkspacedisplayswhereyoucankeepyourModbusMaster
configuration.

4.

DragoutanewModbusMasterDevicemoduletousewithyourModbusslave
device.Rightclickthemoduleandconfigurethefollowingregisters:
Description

Notes

Enable

Boolean Input

Set this register to ON.

Set to OFF to make the outputs N/A.

Read Now

Pulse Input

Link this register to set the module to Read


Now mode.

If this is unlinked, module operates in Polling Mode


and will request every second.

Connection

Enumerated
Setup

Select the serial or TCP connection you want


this module to use.

These connections are configured in the Modbus


Master Options module.

Slave Addr

Numeric Setup

Enter the address of the Modbus slave device


(1-255 accepted).

Make sure each device has a unique address.

Device Type

String Setup

Enter the type of Modbus slave device -- for


example, 6200.

This register value must match the corresponding


Device Type register in the Modbus Master Map
module, for the map to be available to this module.

Slave Name

String Setup

Enter the name of the Modbus slave device -for example, Submeter1.

The output value is in the format: <label>@<slave


name>[value]

Outputs 1-32

Numeric Output

Link these to a variety of ION modules -- for


example, a Data Recorder.

This value will be appended to the output registers.

Page 12

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

ION Modules for Modbus Master

5.

Register Name

Register Type

DragoutanewModbusMasterMapmodule.Rightclickthemoduleand
configurethefollowingregisters:
Description

Notes

Device Type

String Setup

Enter the type of Modbus slave device. For


example, 6200.

This register value must match the corresponding


Device Type register in the Modbus Master Device
module, for the map to be available to the module.

Device Map

String Setup

Enter the mapping information for this device.


See the module description in the ION
Reference for details.

This map (label, address, format and scaling


information) can be used by multiple Modbus
Master Device modules.

6.

Linktheoutputregisterstodesiredmodules(suchasDataRecorders).The
outputvaluesfromtheModbusMasterDevicemoduleareappendedwitha
labelanddevicename.TheDataRecordermoduleunderstandsthesenames,
andwillpopulatetheIONdatabaseusingthem(e.g.kW@Submeter1).

7.

InVista,updateyouruserdiagrambydragginganewobjectfromtheDiagram
objectstoolbar,andconfigureittobestdisplayyourModbusslavedevicedata.

Reading Data from Modbus devices using the Modbus Import Module
1.

StartDesigner(ensurethatOptions>ShowToolboxischecked).

2.

NavigatetotheModbusMasterOptionsmodule.Rightclickthemoduletoedit
theregistervalues.
ForserialModbusMasterconfiguretheSerialConnectionvaluestomatch
thecommunicationsport(e.g.,COM2,COM3)beingusedtocommunicate
withtheslavedevices.
ForModbusMasteroverTCP/IP,configuretheTCPConnectionvaluesto
matchtheIPaddressoftheslavedeviceandtheport
(e.g.,192.168.0.1:502).

3.

NavigatetowhereyouwanttostoreyourModbusMasterconfiguration(e.g.,
3rdPartyProtocols>Modbus).Dragoutanewgroupingobjectfromthe
toolbox,nameitappropriatelyanddoubleclickonyournewgroupingobject.A
blankworkspacedisplayswhereyoucankeepyourmasterconfiguration.

4.

DragoutaModbusImportmodule.

5.

UsetheReadNowinputoftheModbusImportmoduleifyouwanttosetupa
triggersourcethatactivatesaread(i.e.apulse).IfyoudonotlinkReadNow,the
modulepollsModbusdevicescontinuously.

6.

RightclicktheModbusImportmoduletoconfigureregistersettings.
Configurethefollowingsetupregistersasneeded:Connection/COMMPort(if
applicable),SlaveAddress,RegisterAddress,NumberofRegistersreadbythe
module,Formatandscalingrequirements.ThesupportedSlaveAddressrange
(UnitIDonIONmeters)foraModbusdeviceisfrom1to247.

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

7.

Linktheoutputregisterstodesiredmodules(suchasDataRecorders).

8.

InVista,updateyouruserdiagrambydragginganewobjectfromtheDiagram
objectstoolbar,andconfigureittobestdisplayyourModbusslavedevicedata.

Page 13

ION Modules for Modbus Master

Modbus and ION Technology

Writing data to ION meters using the Modbus Export Module


1.

StartDesigner(ensurethatOptions>ShowToolboxischecked).

2.

NavigatetotheModbusMasterOptionsmodule.Rightclickthemoduletoedit
theregistervalues.
ForserialModbusMaster,configuretheSerialConnectionvaluestomatch
thecommunicationsport(e.g.,COM2,COM3).
ForModbusMasteroverTCP/IP,configuretheTCPConnectionvaluesto
equaltheIPaddressoftheslavedeviceandtheport
(e.g.,192.168.0.1:502).

3.

NavigatetowhereyouwanttostoreyourModbusMasterconfiguration(e.g.,
3rdPartyProtocols>Modbus).Dragoutanewgroupingobjectfromthe
toolbox,nameitappropriatelyanddoubleclickonyournewgroupingobject.A
blankworkspacedisplayswhereyoucankeepyourmasterconfiguration.

4.

DragoutaModbusExportmodule.

5.

LinktheSourceinputsoftheExportmoduletovaluesthatyouwanttoexport.

6.

YoumustlinkWriteNowtoinitiateawrite.

7.

RightclickontheModbusExportmoduletoconfigurethesetupregister
settings.
SettheConnection/COMMPort(ifapplicable),SlaveAddress,RegisterAddress,
RequestType,andFormatregistersandanyscalingrequirements.ASlaveAddress
ofzero(0)isreservedforbroadcastmessages.Broadcastmessagesareusefulfor
controlactions,suchassynchronizingallthedevices(onlyanapproximate
synchronizationispossibleduetosignallatencies).

TIP
Use Designer to determine the ION module/register that you want to write to and then use the Common

Modbus Registers document and Appendix E of the ION7300 Series Modicon Modbus Serial
Communications Protocol document to find the corresponding Modbus register number.

For protocols other than ION, consult the appropriate protocol documentation for your device.

8.

InVista,createandlinkanobjectthatbestdisplaysyourconfiguration.

Using ION Setup to Configure Modbus Master


1.

OpenIONSetupandconnecttoyourmeterinBasicMode.

2.

OpentheSetupAssistantandnavigatetothe3rdPartyProtocolsscreeninthe
Communicationsfolder.

3.

OntheModbusMastertab,clickAddtoaddanewslavedevice.TheModbus
Devicedialogappears.

4.

Entertheinformationrequested:
Name:Thisistheslavedevicename
Labelsuffix:Thisistheslavedevicegroup.
Devicetype:Thisisthedevicetypeoftheslavedevice.Itmustmatchthe
devicetypegivenintheDeviceTyperegisterintheModbusMasterMap
module.

Page 14

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Multiport Serial Modbus Master

Connectionvia:ThisistheserialconnectionorEthernetTCPconnections
throughwhichyoucommunicatewiththeslavedevice.Toviewtheports/IP
addressesandModbusprotocolassignedtoeachconnection,click
Connections.TheModbusMasterConnectionsscreenappearswithtabs
containingconnectioninformation.
SlaveID:ThisistheslaveID,orslaveaddress,thatthemeterusesto
addresspacketstotheslavedevice.
5.

Toperformmoreadvancedconfiguration,connecttoyourmeterinAdvanced
Modeandnavigatetotherelevantfolder.Toinsertanewmodule,selectInsert
>Module.Toeditmodulesettings,doubleclickonthemoduleintherighthand
pane.
ThemodulesrelevanttoModbusMasterare:ModbusMasterDevicemodule,
ModbusMasterMapmodule,ModbusMasterOptionsmodule,Modbus
ImportmoduleandModbusExportmodule.Formoreinformationonthese
modules,seetheIONReference.

Multiport Serial Modbus Master


SomemetershavemultiportserialModbusMastercapability.Thisallowsthe
metertomasteranyavailableRS232/RS485serialbusesofModbusSlavedevices
onmorethanoneserialportatthesametime.Busescanbeconnectedtoeither
COM1orCOM2only.

NOTE
The ION7550 RTU does not support multiport Modbus Master. The device cannot master on serial
communication ports COM1 and COM2 at the same time.

MultiportserialModbusMasterfunctionalityrequiresconfigurationofaspecial
module(ModbusMasterOptions)andadditionalsetupregistersinthreeother
modules(ModbusImport,ModbusExport,andModbusMasterDevice).
SeetheIONReferenceformoreinformationonthesemodules.
Workstation with
Modbus Software

ION meter as
Modbus Master

Ethernet LAN

Modbus Slave devices serial bus on COM2

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus Slave devices serial bus on COM1

Page 15

Multiport Serial Modbus Master

Modbus and ION Technology

InorderfortheMastertoknowonwhichserialbusadeviceresides,theModbus
MasterOptionsmoduleisusedtomap(orlink)aconnectiontoameterserial
communicationport.Allmodulesfortheslavedevices(ModbusImport,Export
andModbusMasterDevice)arethenmappedtooneoftheconnections.
TheModbusMasterOptionsmodulesfouroutputsindicateifeachserial
connectionisactivelybeingusedbyanotherIONmodule(ModbusImport,Export
andModbusMasterDevice).
Seetheexampleframeworkbelowforimplementationdetails.TheION7650
meter,actingasModbusMaster,iscommunicatingwiththeION7330,actingas
ModbusSlave.TheION7330iswiredviaRS485totheION7650metersCOM2
port.TheION7330metersUnitIDis101.
Modbus Master Device
ION7650 Meter

COM2 is set to
Modbus Master

ION7330

Modbus Import
Module

Modbus Master
Options Module

RS-485

UNIT ID = 101
Connection

Serial Connection 2

Serial Connection 2
Slave Addr

COM2

COM2

101

Configuring the Meter


UseIONSetuportheDesignercomponentofIONEnterprisetoconfigureyour
meter.
Configure the Modbus Master Options Module
SettheSerialConnectionregistertothemetercommunicationporttheloopofslave
deviceswilluseforcommunications.ChooseNone(default),COM1orCOM2.For
ModbusMasteroverTCP/IP,settheTCPConnectionregistertotheIPaddressof
theModbusslavedevice,specifyingport502.
Configure the Modbus Import Modules
AllModbusImportmoduleshaveaConnectionenumeratedsetupregister.This
registermapstheserialorTCPconnectiontoasetupregisterintheModbusMaster
Optionsmodule.EntertheslavedeviceunitIDintotheSlaveAddrsetupregister.
Configure the Modbus Export Modules
AllModbusExportmoduleshaveaConnectionenumeratedsetupregister.This
registermapstheserialorTCPconnectiontoasetupregisterintheModbusMaster
Optionsmodule.EntertheslavedeviceunitIDintotheSlaveAddrsetupregister.

Page 16

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Multiport Serial Modbus Master

Configure the Modbus Master Device Modules


AllModbusMasterDevicemoduleshaveaConnectionenumeratedsetupregister.
ThisregistermapstheserialorTCPconnectiontoasetupregisterontheModbus
MasterOptionsmodule.EntertheslavedeviceunitIDintotheSlaveAddrsetup
register.

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Page 17

ION Meters as a Modbus Slave

Modbus and ION Technology

ION Meters as a Modbus Slave


AllION metershaveauniqueunitID.Whenactingasaslave,theIONmetersunit
IDservesastheslaveaddresstowhichthemasterconnects.Theseaddressesmust
beintherange1to255.Themeterprocessesbroadcastreadrequests(0)butdoes
notreplytothem;however,broadcastwrites(0)aresupported.

NOTE
A Modbus slave can only respond to requests; it cannot initiate them.

MostIONmetershavepreconfiguredModbusSlavemodules.Thesecanbe
accessedusingDesigner,insidetheIONmeters3rdPartyProtocolsfolder.If
thesepreconfiguredmodulesdonotsuityourneeds,youcandragoutnew
ModbusSlavemodulesorchangetheconfigurationoftheexistingones.

Using the ION Meter as a Modbus Slave


YoucanusetheModbusprotocolsforrealtimedatacommunicationsonthe
metersserial,Ethernet,modemandInfraredports.Thesehardwareportsare
controlledbyIONcommunications(COMM)modulesthatexistinthemeters
firmware.First,configurethecommunicationsport(s)throughwhichyouwantto
transporttheModbusdata.ThemetercanthentransmitdatafromIONModbus
Slavemodules.TheModbusSlavemodulesconvertanIONmetersdatainto
ModbusformatforModbusmasterdevices.MostmetersthatsupportModbus
Slavemodulesalreadyhavesomepreconfiguredmodulesforcommon
parameterssuchaspowerandenergyvaluesandpowerqualityinformation.

Modbus Slave Module Settings


OncethecommunicationsportisconfiguredtouseModbus,thedataisavailable
toaModbusmasterdevice.TheModbusSlavemodulesarepreconfiguredto
communicatespecificpowersystemparametersinaparticularformat.Asample
configurationisshownbelow:
Set the COM port to
the appropriate
protocol

Sample of Factory Configuration

Communications Port

Power Meter
Module

Vln a

Modbus Slave
Module

40011
Data is available
to Modbus master
devices

IONmeter

Page 18

Measured data is linked


to the Modbus Slave
modules input

Modbus Slave module


outputs data in Modbus
format

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Modbus and ION Technology

Modbus Slave Module Settings

OnsomeIONmeters,whentherearenoinputlinks,theoutputregistersshowthe
contentsofthefixedModbusaddressmapasdefinedbythesetupregistersofthe
SlaveModule.Thevaluesatthemapaddressarecopiedtotheoutputregisters,
startingattheaddressspecifiedintheBaseAddrsetupregister,untileachoutput
registerisfilled.YoumustchangetheFormatsetupregistertoUnsigned16B
InputMode.
YoucanalsoeditthesetupregistersoftheSlavemoduleifyourModbusmaster
devicerequiresdatainaformatdifferentthanthefactoryconfigurationorrequires
specialaddressing.ModbusSlavemoduleshavethefollowingsetupregisters:
Setup Register
Format
Base Address
Scaling
IONInMinScale
IONInMaxScale
ModbusOutMinScale
ModbusOutMaxScale

NOTE
Settings for these registers (and defaults) vary depending on meter model and firmware version. See your
meters User Guide.

FormoreinformationonusingtheModbusSlavemodule,seetheModbusSlave
moduledescriptionintheIONReference.
Changing default Modbus configuration using ION Enterprise
1.

OpenyourmeterinDesigner.

2.

RelinkaneworexistingModbusSlavemoduletoanyparameters.

3.

Rightclicknearthecenterofthemoduletoeditanyoftheregisters.

4.

SelectFile>Send&Savetosaveyourchangestothemeter.

Changing default Modbus configuration using ION Setup

2009 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

1.

OpenIONSetupandconnecttoyourmeterinAdvancedMode.

2.

NavigatetotheModbusSlavemodulefolder.Intherighthandpane,double
clickonthemoduleyouwanttoconfigure.

3.

SelecttheInputstabtolinksourceinputstothemodule.SelecttheSetup
Registerstabtoconfigurethesetupregisters.Toeditaregister,selectitandclick
Edit.

4.

ClickSendtosaveyourchangestothemeter.

Page 19

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