Starting a Project with the Controllogix

Wire the switch/light board before proceeding. Power up the computer, the PLC rack, and external power supply, as needed. Turn the key on the PLC to the REM (middle) position.

If RSLinx is not already started, then start the program. If the RSLogix5000 Programming Software main menu is not already displayed, click on the RSLogix5000 icon. The main menu screen should appear with a list of selections. If the error message "Project file does not exist! OK to create it?", click on "Yes". The software will start up in the offline mode and a ladder may be displayed.

Communications should already be set up properly. To check that they are properly configured, select Communications | Who Active. Click on "+" box next to "AB_DF1-1" since the ControlLogix processor is connected with a serial cable to the PC. A processor icon should appear with "1756-L61 LOGIX5561" or "1756-L63 LOGIX5563" and maybe a name of the current program in the processor. Click on Close.

If your project is already in the PLC, click on the down arrow beside the small window in the upper left (should have "OFFLINE") and select Go Online. A ladder diagram should appear. Skip to the online programming functions.

When starting a project for the first time, it is best to initially set it up offline, and then go online. The initial setup consists of specifying the processor and configuring the discrete I/O modules.

1. Configuring the Processor.
2. I/O Configuration.
3. Specifying Other Tags.
4. Processor Channel Configuration.
5. Processor Download.