PLC WallClockTime Wrong

[alanze]

I am using the GSV bit to retrieve the PLC time, but it says the year is 1970. I haven't been able to find anyway to change the PLC's clock. I'm sure there is some way to do it, but I can't figure it out.

 

[Aabeck]

Enter the current date and time in a new date/time tag on the HMI and when a button is pressed use a SSV to move them to the clock

 

[Ken Moore]

In Studio, Go to your controller, right click, select properties, there is a tab for Date/Time, you can adjust from there.

 

[cwal61]

Open Controller Properties>Date and Time Tab.

 

[daba]

I am using the GSV bit to retrieve the PLC time, but it says the year is 1970. I haven't been able to find anyway to change the PLC's clock. I'm sure there is some way to do it, but I can't figure it out.

You can set the clock using RSLogix/Studio 5000 programming software.

Controller properties -> Date/Time tab : see first picture.

The GSV and SSV instructions to get and set the time (from the Help) suggests you use a DINT[7] array for the values. You can make your life a lot easier if you create a UDT of the "same size and shape" and use the first element as the destination of an GSV, or the source of an SSV : see second picture.

Note that the PLCs WallClock does not do DST adjustment automatically, you have to write code to enable/disable it at the appropriate dates and times if you want DST functionality. If you want help with that I already have it done - just ask.


EDIT : I'm not quick enough ....

 

[alanze]

Thanks. Not sure how I missed date and time on the properties tab.

 

[alanze]

With the recent time change I'm interested in that code to automatically toggle the DST setting in the Time/Date tab. I had to go and manually change it in all the PLCs.

 

[Ken Moore]

The Plant PAX library has a T_DST block that will toggle the bit for you. You configure it for your location, time shift date, etc...

 

[matthew1]

The controller can also be synced to a time master if there is a network connection to a source. Firewall, Server, Workstation even another PLC.

 

[VAN]

The controller can also be synced to a time master if there is a network connection to a source. Firewall, Server, Workstation even another PLC.

I've never dug into setting up a true master clock control, any advice or gotchas you can share?

Usually I see RSLogix Clock Update tool being used (I don't remember the name off the top of my head) or just letting the PLCs control their own time.