Different FRN

Hello Everyone,

I was trying to copy the code from one of our processors to another and ran into a problem. The original processor is a MicroLogix 1500 LRP Series C with OS FRN 11.0, but my new one is MicroLogix 1500 LRP Series C with OS FRN 6.0

The original program has Floating Point Operands in the SCP's, which I guess is only valid when using FRN 7 or above.

Is it possible to change my FRN, or do I need to rewrite the entire program?

Thanks in advance,
EMSSTC

MicroLogix 1500 controllers have flash-updateable firmware that is available from Rockwell Automation free of charge.

http://www.rockwellautomation.com/rockwellautomation/support/plc/micrologix.page

Make sure you have a good source of power and a solid serial port, and go ahead and do the firmware load.

Thanks, but one more question if you don't mind. I was only copying part of the original program to add to a new program that was written. The processor with the old firmware in currently running with a PanelView on DH485 via an AIC+. Can I upload through that without changing the com settings, or do I need to revert back to the DF1 for it?

Thanks for you patience

I'm not sure what you mean by "can I upload through that".

You can download to, or upload from, a MicroLogix 1500 controller using DF1 or DH485 protocol. Your computer and interface need to support those protocols; you're probably aware that DH485 usually requires a specific "1747-UIC" device to work with modern computers and Windows 7.

If you are going to do a firmware load, disconnect any HMI devices and revert back to DF1 Full Duplex protocol using the DCOMM button. There are directions with the firmware package; I think you always need to use Channel 0 and DF1 Full Duplex.

I will do that.
Thanks for your help.

Didn't help

I was able to change the OS FRN from 6 to 13.1, but I still got the same error. I noticed that there is a processor cat number, series and FRN as well. they are 1764-LSP, series A, FRN 4.0

Is this what needs to be changed?

The error is most likely a warning just say ok and you will be alright.

Try it.

"Different FRN" - SCP & Floating Point

EMSSTC said:

I was able to change the OS FRN from 6 to 13.1, but I still got the same error. I noticed that there is a processor cat number, series and FRN as well. they are 1764-LSP, series A, FRN 4.0

Is this what needs to be changed?

Click to expand...

(BTW: You've typed 1764-LSP, is the new controller not an 1764-LRP?)

Just to clarify...

When dealing with controller firmware upgrades for enhancements, it's the OS (Operating System) Series Letter and OS FRN (Firmware Revision Number) that you refer to.
As well as the OS Series Letter, you have the OS Revision Letter. You won't see the OS Revision Letter under the 'Processor Status/Proc' tab. Instead go to I/O Configuration and double-click on the controller slot 0 to bring up the embedded I/O properties window. Here you'll see 'Series/Rev/Functionality Type:' with the OS Revision Letter.

A controller is usually released at something like:

OS Series A, OS Rev A, FRN 1

Depending on whether the new firmware is adding anomaly or bug fixes, support for new hardware features, or adding new enhancements to the OS,
the FRN will always increment,
the OS Revision Letter will often increment,
and the OS Series Letter will sometimes increment.

A lot of users may seem to "get away with this" WARNING, but just for the record...

The MicroLogix 1500 1764-LSP/LRP OS Series C OS Rev A OS FRN 6 added support for the Floating Point Data File.

While adding support for the use of Floats, with many different instruction types, it did not add support for the use of Floating Point addresses in the SCP instruction until the release of 1764-LSP/LRP OS Series C OS Rev B OS FRN 7. Something specific was added to FRN 7 to support this method.

The reason RSLogix 500 always displays this WARNING for Series C controllers, is because you are compiling an offline project file, that uses Floating Point Operands in SCP instructions. It is merely forewarning you as it doesn't know the OS FRN of the controller you will be downloading the project to. The fact that it lets you verify and download, does not guarantee that all will be well. If the controller is not at FRN 7 or above, but is at FRN 6, you may run into problems at some stage. Math errors may occur periodically, and unexpectedly fault the controller.

I would always advise that one upgrades the OS FRN to the supported level, or above to avoid such possible issues.

Some might say they have been "ignoring" this WARNING for years without a problem, but they should be noting the OS FRN of the controllers they are downloading to. They may have been lucky enough that it was at a supported level, or FRN 6 hasn't thrown up any problems to date. But it's not worth the risk, especially when the firmware upgrades are freely available.

Now that you know your controller is at OS FRN 13.1, you can certainly ignore the WARNING.

G.

Thanks guys,

Everything worked great.