Weighing technology

FAQs
SIWAREX WP231
“How does the Modbus-Communication of the WP231 work?”

Version 1.0 - 15.07.2013

Siemens.com/weighing
Answer: The SIWAREX WP231 weighing modules offer a Modbus-TCP/IP and
Modbus-RTU (RS485) communication. Please follow this FAQ in order to understand
the mechanisms of the Modbus communication.

This FAQ is based on the manual of the WP231, which is available online on:
http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/65621196

Basic knowledge in weighing systems and Modbus communication is required to be

able to use this FAQ.

Before using this document, please check the manual of the WP231 for the right wiring
of the 24V DC power supply, the loadcells, I/O’s and communication interfaces.

If you run the WP231 without a SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU, please check the position of
the “Stand-Alone-Mode” switch of the module:

DIP-switch 1 has currently no function. Switch number 2 needs to be in the lower

position for the Stand-Alone-Mode without PLC.

The factory default is the upper position for PLC-integrated mode!

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The factory default settings of the Ethernet and Modbus-RTU interface of the WP231
are the following:

Ethernet-Port: RS485 port:

IP-address: 192.168.0.21 Protocol: Modbus RTU

Subnet-Mask: 255.255.255.0 Baud rate: 19200 Bits/s
Standard-Gateway: 192.168.0.21 Parity: Even
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
Modbus Address: 20

For the Modbus TCP/IP communication the Port 502 is used.

All parameters of the WP231 weighing module are integrated in data records. It‘s
possible to read or write a complete data record only! It‘s not possible to read or write
one single parameter within a data record.

Except the data records 30, 31, 32 and 34 (automatically refreshed) all data records
need to be read/written into the Modbus-Registers by using special command codes.

Please use the following syntax, in order to generate the right command code for
reading a data record from the WP231 into the Modbus-Register or for writing data
records from the Modbus-Registers into the WP231:

- Read a data record from the WP231 into the Modbus-Registers:

command code = 2000 + x

x = number of the desired data record

- Write a data record from the Modbus-Registers into the WP231:

command code = 4000 + x

x = number of the desired data record

For all other commands like “Zero”, “Tare”, “Service Mode On”, “Service Mode off” and
so on, please check the command list in the WP231 manual in order to find the right
command codes!

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Modbus-Registers SIWAREX WP231 data
(detailed information about the data records can be
found in the WP231 manual)

command 1 (highest priority)

command 2 (medium priority)

command 3 (lowest priority)

data record 3 – Calibration Parameter data record 3 – Calibration Parameter

data record 4 – Auto. Calibration Digits data record 4 – Auto. Calibration Digits

data record 5 – Tare/Zero/Memory data record 5 – Tare/Zero/Memory

data record 6 – Limits data record 6 – Limits

data record 7 – Process Interfaces data record 7 – Process Interfaces

data record 8 – Date and Time data record 8 – Date and Time

data record 9 – Module Info data record 9 – Module Info

data record 10 – Loadcell Parameters data record 10 – Loadcell Parameters

data record 12 – Ethernet Parameters data record 12 – Ethernet Parameters

data record 13 – RS485 Parameter data record 13 – RS485 Parameter

data record 14 – S7 Interface Settings data record 14 – S7 Interface Settings

data record 15 – Preset Tare data record 15 – Preset Tare

data record 16 – Weight Simulation data record 16 – Weight Simulation

data record 17 – Control Analogue Out data record 17 – Control Analogue Out

data record 18 – Control Digital Outs data record 18 – Control Digital Outs

data record 30 – Process Status* data record 30 – Process Status*

data record 31 – Process Status ext.* data record 31 – Process Status ext.*

data record 32 – Data-Command-Errors* data record 32 – Data-Command-Errors*

data record 34 – ASCII Weight Display* data record 34 – ASCII Weight Display*

* = data are refreshed automatically

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Example:

You want to change the parameter “Adjustment Weight 1” which is included in the data
record 3:

1.) As data record 3 is accessible with active “Service Mode” only, you have to activate
the “Service Mode”. You can find the right command code for this operation in the
command list in the manual. “Service Mode On” Command Code “1”

In our example we use command 2, with the medium priority.

Command 2 has the following structure (see page 6):

“Command_2_Code”
“Command_2_Trigger”
“Command_2_Finished”
“Command_2_FinishedError”

In order to switch on the Service Mode” you have to write “1” into the “command code 2”
(=Modbus Register 920) and to set the “command trigger 2” “TRUE” (=Modbus Register
921).

After that, the Service Mode should be active (DIAG led is flashing).

2.) If you don’t know, whether the data of data record 3 in the Modbus Registers are up-
to-date, you should read the record 3 from the WP231 into the Modbus-Registers first:

As you want to read data record 3, you have to use the command code 2003
(see page 3).

Therefore you have to write “2003” into the “command code 2” (=Modbus Register 920)
and to set the “command trigger 2” “TRUE” (Modbus Register 921=“1”).

The data of data record 3 in the Modbus-Registers are up-to-date now!

3.) Now you can edit the “Adjustment Weight 1” (=Modbus Register 1024).

After that, you have to send the modified data record 3 from Modbus-Registers into the
WP231 you have to use the command code 4003 now (see page 3)!

Therefore you have to write “4003” into the “command code 2” (=Modbus Register 920)
and to set the “command trigger 2” “TRUE” (Modbus Register 921=“1”).

The modified data record 3 with your new Adjustment weight 1 is written into the WP231
now!

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4.) At the end we have to switch off the Service Mode again.

“Service Mode Off” Command Code “2” (see command list in the manual)

Therefore you have to write “2” into the “Command Code 2” (=Modbus Register 920)
and to set the “Command Trigger 2” “TRUE” (Modbus Register 921=“1”).

The Service Mode should be off now (DIAG led shouldn’t be flashing anymore)!

Modbus-Command-Code Structures

Tag Type Modbus Register Length (Bytes)

(Holding)

Command_1_Code USHORT 910 2

Command_1_Trigger USHORT 911 2

Command_1_Finished* USHORT 912 2

Command_1_FinishedError* USHORT 913 2

Command_2_Code USHORT 920 2

Command_2_Trigger USHORT 921 2

Command_2_Finished* USHORT 922 2

Command_2_FinishedError* USHORT 923 2

Command_3_Code USHORT 930 2

Command_3_Trigger USHORT 931 2

Command_3_Finished* USHORT 932 2

Command_3_FinishedError* USHORT 933 2

* = read only
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