Function Block Diagram Timers and Counters for Siemens PLCs 310

counters

Instructions that allow PLCs to keep track of actions or events, such as the number of items placed in a container or the number of times a motor or machine has turned on, and to respond when a specific count is reached.

CTD counter

Count down counter. An IEC counter instruction that counts down by 1 when the count down parameter (CD) transitions from 0 to 1.

CTU counter

Count up counter. An IEC counter instruction that counts up by 1 when the count up parameter (CU) transitions from 0 to 1.

CTUD counter

Count up and down counter. An IEC counter instruction that counts up by one on a 0 to 1 transition of CU and counts down by 1 on a 0 to 1 transition of CD.

data block

DB. A memory structure used in Siemens PLC user programs to store data for a code block. All of the program blocks in the user program can access the data in a global DB, but an instance DB stores data for a specific function block (FB).

data type

A definition that specifies both the bit size of a data element as well as how the bit string is to be interpreted.

DB

Data block. A memory structure used in Siemens PLC user programs to store data for a code block. All of the program blocks in the user program can access the data in a global DB, but an instance DB stores data for a specific function block (FB).

decrements

Counts down or decreases.

FBD

Function block diagram. A graphical programming language defined in part 3 of the IEC 61131 standard.

function block diagram

FBD. A graphical programming language defined in part 3 of the IEC 61131 standard.

IEC 61131

A standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission that defines programmable logic controller capabilities. Part 3 of this standard (IEC 61131-3) defines PLC programming languages.

IEC counters

PLC counter instructions that conform to the descriptions provided in IEC 61131.

IEC timers

PLC timer instructions that conform to the descriptions provided in IEC 61131.

Int

Signed integer. A 16-bit (1 word) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from -32,768 to +32,767.

LTime data type

A 64-bit data type available for use in SIMATIC S7-1500 PLCs. This data type is used with IEC timers for preset time (PT) and elapsed time (ET) values when these values exceed the range of the Time data type.

OB

Organization block. A program structure that links the user program to the PLC operating system. A variety of OBs are used in Siemens PLC programs. Some OBs have predefined behaviors and start events, but also can be created with custom start events.

OR function

A PLC instruction that provides a 1 at the output of the instruction if one or more of the inputs to the instruction is a 1.

organization block

OB. A program structure that links the user program to the PLC operating system. A variety of OBs are used in Siemens PLC programs. Some OBs have predefined behaviors and start events, but also can be created with custom start events.

PT instruction

Preset timer instruction. An IEC timer instruction that loads a preset time value to the specified timer.

RT instruction

Reset timer instruction. An IEC timer instruction that resets the specified timer.

set reset flip-flop

SR flip-flop. A PLC instruction that sets the output parameter Q to 1 when the set input transitions from 0 to 1 and resets Q to 0 when the reset input transitions from 0 to 1. The reset input is dominant over the set input, so, if both inputs are 1 at the same time, Q is 0.

signed double integer

Dint. A 32-bit (1 double word) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from -2,147, 483, 648 to +2,147, 483, 647.

signed integer

Int. A 16-bit (1 word) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from -32,768 to +32,767.

SIMATIC counter

PLC counter instruction developed for use in Siemens SIMATIC PLCs prior to the development of the IEC 61131 standard. These instructions are still widely used.

SIMATIC timer

PLC timer instruction developed for use in Siemens SIMATIC PLCs prior to the development of the IEC 61131 standard. These instructions are still widely used.

Time data type

A 32-bit data type used by IEC timers for preset time (PT) and elapsed time (ET) values. Time data is stored as a signed double integer interpreted as milliseconds.

timers

Instructions that allow PLCs to control and monitor time-dependent aspects of machines and processes.

TOF timer

Off-delay timer. An IEC timer instruction that sets the output parameter (Q) to on and then resets the output to off after a preset time delay.

TON timer

On-delay timer. An IEC timer instruction that sets the output parameter (Q) to on after a preset time delay.

TONR timer

On-delay retentive timer. An IEC timer instruction that sets the output parameter (Q) to on after a preset time delay. The elapsed time can be accumulated over multiple timing periods. The reset parameter (R) is used to reset the elapsed time.

TP timer

Pulse timer. An IEC timer instruction that generates a pulse with a preset time width.

UInt

Unsigned integer. A 16-bit (1 word) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from 0 to 65,535.

unsigned integer

UInt. A 16-bit (1 word) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from 0 to 65,535.

unsigned short integer

USInt. An 8-bit (1 byte) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from 0 to 255.

USInt

Unsigned short integer. An 8-bit (1 byte) data type that can represent an equivalent decimal range from 0 to 255.