PanelView Plus 6 Selection Guide
The PanelView Plus 6 product line provides a broad range of operator interface devices for small to large machine-level HMI applications. Allen Bradley is a manufacturer of this product line, which is today owned by Rockwell Automation.
Selection Criteria
The PanelView Plus 6 family has a lot of rugged terminals with a common development platform and Integrated Architecture from Rockwell Automation. To choose the best visualization solution, well suited to your system requirements, have a look at the following key features.
Software Features
You must consider the following software features when selecting an operator terminal.
FTP Server
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals support File Transfer Protocol (FTP). It is a standard network protocol that will allow you to exchange files over the (TCP/IP-based network) Internet. By default, it is enabled.
VNC Client/Server
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals include VNC (virtual network computing) feature. It allows you to view and control the terminal remotely. You can also establish a VNC connection between two PanelView Plus 6 terminals or between the terminal and personal computer. It supports only two client connections at a time. By default, the VNC server is disabled.
PDF Reader
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals include a PDF reader, which provides standard PDF reading and search functionality.
Desktop Access
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals come with disabled desktop access. You can enable secure desktop access to run third-party applications and control operators. Typically, desktop access is allowed on terminals with extended features.
Web Server
The Web server is enabled by default and uses HTTP protocol for receiving requests and sending responses to web browsers. It is supported on all PanelView Plus 6 terminals.
Remote Desktop Connection
Remote desktop connection is only supported on PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 terminals. Though some PanelView Plus 6 - 600 terminals support extended features of the OS. However, this feature is still unavailable to them.
UPnP Server
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is an open networking protocol that allows device installation and connection to a network seamlessly. It is enabled in PanelView Plus 6 terminals by default.
Global Design and Support
PanelView Plus 6, 600 to 1500 terminals with certain software provides web browser-based secure access to a PanelView on a remote machine. Up to 20 languages can be supported in a single runtime application, facilitating machine deployment globally.
Controllers, Alarms, and Display
PanelView Plus 6 compact terminals allow connection with one controller and up to 25 displays & 200 alarms. PanelView Plus 6 terminals allow connections with multiple controllers, unlimited screens, and alarms. However, it is limited by the memory and CPU.
Connectivity
The PanelView Plus 6 family allows for connectivity with the following controllers: CompactLogix 5370/ 557(L7) / 5380 (L3), ControlLogix 5580 (L8), PLC-5/SLC/MicroLogix, Micro800, and third-party controllers.
Secure System
You may create a secure system by restricting access to all or specific graphic displays to avoid accidental changes and employing passwords to permit authorized users to access or shut down apps.
Hardware Features
When choosing an operator terminal, it is important to keep the following hardware aspects in mind.
Displays
The PanelView Plus 6 family offers scalable 4- to 15-inch displays. PanelView Plus 6 - 400 & 600 and PanelView Plus 6 - 400 & 600 compact terminals have either color active-matrix TFT (thin-film transistor) or grayscale TFT LCD with a white LED backlight. Grayscale and color displays have a 320 x 240 (16-levels gray) and a 320 x 240 (18-bit color) resolution with a brightness of 320 Nits and 420 Nits, respectively. PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 and PanelView Plus 6 - 1000 compact terminals only have a color active-matrix TFT display with a CCFL backlight. Their resolution ranges from 640 x 480 to 1024 x 768 (18-bit color graphics) with a brightness of 300 Nits.
Flexible Hardware Configurations
PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 terminals have flexible hardware configuration and a modular structure. You have a choice to order a factory-assembled single unit or separate components, according to your needs from this series. You can easily replace the logic module, backlight, bezel, communication module, battery, and display module in these terminals. They even allow linking add-on communications modules, as well. However, PanelView Plus 6 - 400 & 600 and PanelView Plus 6 terminals offer the fixed configuration and can be ordered as a single unit. However, you can replace some components like the backlight, bezels, etc. in a PanelView Plus 6 - 1000 compact terminal. If there is a potential for vast changes in your system requirements over a short, then you should consider PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 terminals as they will allow for an easy upgrade.
Input Options
For operator input, this product family offers the following three options: a touch display, a keypad, or a combination of a touch display and keypad. The 400 and 600 touch terminals come with 4 wire analog resistive touch screens. The 600 to 1500 touch terminals come with an 8-wire analog resistive touch screen. You can calibrate the touch properties, such as sensitivity. Keypad terminals come with a stainless-steel membrane keypad with 22 to 40 functional keys (depending on catalog number), numeric keys, and function keys.
Communication Interfaces
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals have the following built-in communication ports: one RS-232 (DF1 or DH-485), one USB host, and one host device. PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500, as well as compact 1000, terminals have one additional USB host port. All PanelView Plus 6- 700 through 1500 terminals and PanelView Plus 6 compact terminals have one Ethernet port. PanelView Plus 6 - 400 & 600 terminals have also an Ethernet port depending on the catalog number. Optional communication modules that support Ethernet, DH-485, DH-485, and ControlNet are supported only on PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 terminals. All other terminals do not support add-on communication modules.
Support for Printers
PanelView Plus 6 supports a limited number of USB printers. You can attach these printers to the terminal's USB port. If a compatible printer driver is accessible, it will get installed automatically through plug-and-play capabilities or manual installation will be needed. It also supports a network-connected remote printer through the Ethernet port. The printer may be accessed using either its device name or its IP address. Only PanelView Plus 6 - 600 through 1500 terminals, with extended features, can enable a local printer to be available for server applications running on the terminal through an RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) session.
User Storage
PanelView Plus 6 - 400/600 terminals and 400/600 compact terminals have 256 Megabytes of volatile random-access memory, 512 Megabytes of nonvolatile memory, and 73 MB of free user memory approximately, and supports one USB flash drive and Secure Digital (SD) card. PanelView Plus 6 - 700 through 1500 terminals and 1000 compact terminals have 512 Megabytes of volatile random-access memory, 512 Megabytes of nonvolatile memory, 79 MB of free user memory approximately, and supports up to two USB flash drives and Secure Digital (SD) cards.
Input Power
All PanelView Plus 6 terminals have either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) input power depending on the catalog number. However, PanelView Plus 6 compact terminals have only DC input power. These terminals come with either AC or DC power terminal blocks. 400 & 600 devices with DC terminal blocks require a non-isolated 24 volts nominal (allowed 18…30V DC) power supply and 15 watts maximum. 700...1500 terminals with DC terminal blocks require isolated 24 volts nominal (allowed range18…32V DC) power supply and 70 watts maximum. 400 & 600 devices with AC terminal blocks require a 100…240V AC (50…60 Hz) input voltage and 35VA maximum. 700...1500 devices with AC terminal blocks require a 100…240V AC (50…60 Hz) input voltage and 160VA maximum. You can transform the 400 and 600 terminals from DC to AC power. Just attach the AC power supply module, catalog number 2711P-6RSA, to the DC power terminal block.
LED Indicators
Choose a terminal from this family with the maximum amount of LED indicators.
-
Terminal Status Indicators
- All terminals have two LED indicators with the following functionalities:
- If the COMM indicator is blinking green, it has active communication.
- If the FAULT indicator is blinking red, there is a recoverable firmware error.
- If the FAULT indicator is on and red, there is a non-recoverable hardware fault.
- All terminals have two LED indicators with the following functionalities:
-
Ethernet Status Indicators
- All terminals have the following LED indicators for ethernet status:
- When the Activity Status Indicator is blinking green, the terminal is transmitting or receiving data.
- The Link Integrity Indicator lights up yellow when an internet connection/link is present.
- All terminals have the following LED indicators for ethernet status:
-
DH485/BH+/ControlNet Module Status Indicators
- 700 to 1500 terminals (with specific catalog numbers) also have the status indicators to show the status of DH485/ DH+/ControlNet connections.
Migration Hardware
If you're thinking about replacing your current terminal, this family could be a suitable alternative. PanelView Plus 6 terminals have the same panel cutouts as previous PanelView devices but offer a bigger display with increased memory and a faster processor. Take into account both the display and the unit size while moving to a new terminal.
Environmental Specifications
Following environmental specifications are needed to be considered while selecting an operator terminal from this family of products. The operating temperature should lie between 0 and 55 °C (32 and 131 °F), while the non-operating temperature must be in the range of -20 to 70 °C. A shock force of 9 g and 30 g at 11ms is bearable in the operating and non-operating states, respectively. The operating altitude is 6561 feet. For high altitude and high operating temperatures, fans/active cooling may be necessary to maintain the internal enclosure temperature under 55 °C / 131 °F. For installations where the operating temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F), a heater is required.
Backup and Restore
You must select a terminal with a backup and restore application. The PanelView Plus 6 family allows you the backup of the terminal’s current system image using an SD card or flash drive. You can restore the image in the same terminal or clone it into multiple terminals.
System Size
PanelView Plus 6 - 400 & 600 terminals are ideal for small-size systems. PanelView Plus 6 compact terminals are appropriate for medium-sized systems. You should opt for PanelView Plus 6 - 700, 1000, 1250, & 1500 terminals for large systems.