Are you SURE the Expansion port is not the Ethernet port?

[Joe Tauser]

Yesterday I had a customer plug his Ethernet cable into the I/O expansion port on a V700 and try to figure out why he couldn't talk to it for two days.  I think he's still kicking himself, and I'm personally worried about his self-esteem level. 

 

The really sad thing is I did the same thing last week, only I figured it out in less than an hour.

 

To the Creators - Please put a big red sticker around the expansion port on all PLC models that says "Ethernet not go here! I/O Cable!" or something.  Make sure you use caveman language, as that is what I think it will take for my brain to actually understand.  I know the molded-in legend is too hard to see for us folks over 40.

 

Joe T.

[Flex727]

+1  I've had this happen many times. Each time it happens I figure out the problem a little bit quicker. Who says us old guys never learn?

[Ausman]

This has raised it's annoying, ugly head many times before, with various suggestions including one from you, Joe, wasn't it, of a lovely clunky connector?

 

Given that stickers fall off blah blah, and the need for backwards compatibility, perhaps the best thing would be a part of the O/S that checks if there are weird things happening on the I/O connector that don't match up to what it is expecting.  It could then throw up an appropriate error message on the screen and perhaps also force a stop.

 

As the creators are going to pretty much have to stick with the same connectors doing different jobs, they should surely have something like this in place to permanently cover the silly things that happen in the real world.  It can't be that hard an ask, given that fundamental things happen on the connector if in use.

 

cheers,

 

Aus

[Joe Tauser]

I think one of these placed over the I/O expansion port when the unit is shipped would work just fine:

 

 

Joe T.

[DaveE]

I's so glad Im not the only one

[Ausman]

In doing a quick mockup of something yesterday, I did it again, but picked it up almost immediately due to the metal surround "indicator".

 

It gave me enough impetus to get into an Exp Adapter and have a close look at the PCB layout.  I am likely mistaken due to not wanting to unsolder the socket, but to my eye it looks like the board is only double sided (ie no concealed links) and that there are only 5 of the pins in use.  I did no meter checking at all, so perhaps there is some crucial linking of unused pins under the connector, but it looks like things could run using a standard 5 or 6 pin variant.  I'm happy to be told my assumptions are incorrect. I also looked at the PLC end on 2 models, and they looked the same, but they were a lot more cluttered and perhaps the boards are multi-layer.

 

But.....if my assumptions are correct.... the absolute best solution would be to change the PLC socket to a suitable mini-din 5 or 6 pin.  It can't be changed to a 6 pin RJ as we'll be back to where we started as this size is in use for the normal com ports.  If done, provide a simple M-F adapter with every PLC that has the new style port to ensure backwards compatibility.  Given that every PLC I buy has the far more complex programming lead included, even if I don't want it and now have gazillions of them, this adapter would add a miniscule amount to the cost.  PS/2 is/was a standard connection for years and worked fine.  They can have locking pins if necessary.

 

At the same time change the exp. lead to the correct male plug as well....and only do it at the PLC end.  This would be a double whammy which would 1). give the cable orientation which would ensure the best earth location practice and 2). minimise retooling costs etc.  Eventually as things get replaced the new arrangement would become the standard in use, ultimately meaning no need for the adapter.

 

Please seriously consider doing this, guys!  I know it's a fundamental change, but it's very annoying!

 

cheers,

Aus

[Cara Bereck Levy]

Guys--sorry, I never saw this! I don't know if there is much to be done about this annoying issue, but I will submit it.