AC1346 - Programmable Logic Controller IFM - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Programmable logic controller (AS-i controller)
Brand	IFM
Model	AC1346
Dimensions (W × H × D)	62 × 86 × 124 mm (estimated from dimensional drawing)
Weight	Approx. 0.5 kg
Power supply	24 V DC (20 to 30 V SELV), consumption not specified
Interfaces	RS232C (4800 to 115200 baud), Profibus-DP (9600 to 12 Mbaud), AS-i (2 masters)
Number of AS-i masters	2 (AC1346)
Display	Backlit screen, adjustable contrast
LED indicators	PWR/COM, PROJ, CONF/PF, PROFIBUS (for bus status)
Main functions	Data exchange control with sensors/actuators, signal preprocessing, communication with higher-level control system (gateway mode), programming via RS232C or Ethernet (optional)
Mounting	On 35 mm profile rail, IP20, in a protected electrical cabinet
Operating temperature	Not specified, but condensation-free environment recommended
Maintenance and cleaning	Keep ventilation holes clear, avoid dust and vibrations. Clean with a dry cloth if necessary.
Safety	Disconnect power before any connection. Do not connect negative potentials to each other or to the FE terminal. Ensure proper grounding (FE terminal).
Repairability and spare parts	Not specified. Contact IFM after-sales service for repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions - AC1346 IFM

How to reset the AC1346 controller to factory settings?

Factory reset is not described in the manual. In general, it may be necessary to use specific programming software. Check the 'System Setup' menu for a possible reset option.

How to configure the Profibus-DP interface?

In the 'Fieldbus Setup' menu, you can enter the slave address of the controller in the higher-level fieldbus. Other settings depend on the bus used. Ensure the baud rate matches the network.

What do the LED indicators on the front panel mean?

LED PWR/COM: on = AS-i power present and at least one slave detected; flashing = power present but no correct slave. LED PROJ: on = project mode active; flashing = unable to switch to protected mode. LED CONF/PF: on = different configuration; flashing = peripheral fault. LED PROFIBUS: on = Profibus-DP bus error.

How to adjust the screen contrast?

Press the right button and the Δ button (to increase) or ∇ button (to decrease) simultaneously. The change is immediately visible.

How to address a new AS-i slave?

Use the 'Address Slave' menu. You can choose between manual re-addressing or automatic addressing (easy startup) which assigns the next available address.

Can I use the AC1346 without a fieldbus?

Yes, the controller can operate standalone. In the 'PLC Setup' menu, disable gateway mode if you are not using a higher-level fieldbus.

How to update the firmware?

In the 'System Setup' menu, select the firmware update option. Specific programming software (provided by IFM) is required, along with an RS232C or Ethernet connection.

What cables are needed for programming?

For programming via RS232C, use the E70320 programming cable. For Ethernet (optional), a standard RJ45 cable is required.

How to access the main menu?

From the start screen, press the left button 'MENU'. Use the Δ and ∇ buttons to navigate the options. Press both buttons simultaneously to toggle language between German and English.

What is the maximum distance between the controller and host via RS232C?

The maximum distance is 20 meters. The E70320 programming cable provides galvanic isolation from the controller power supply.

USER MANUAL AC1346 IFM

Line drawing of a server rack unit with ports, connectors, and socket (no text or symbols)

Function and features

• The controller _e integrates one or two AS-i masters (AC1345/AC1346, both in accordance with the AS-i version 2.1), a mini controller and a Profibus DP interface (optional)
• It controls the exchange of data to the sensor/actuator level
• processes the peripheral data in the integrated processor (signal preprocessing)
• works as stand-alone controller with exchange of data to the PC (visualisation)
• communicates with the higher control level (in the gateway mode)

Programming interface RS232C

• Baud rate 4800 to 115,200 baud
- Max. distance between controller e and host: 20 m
- Potential separation from the controller e power supply
- Programming cable E70320 for connection to host required

Profibus-DP interface

• Baud rate 9600 to 12 MBaud
- Max. distance between controller e and host: depending on the baud rate
- Potential separation from the controller e power supply
- Up to 31 controllers connected in parallel per segment
- Pin connection: pin 3: signal B, pin 8: signal A

Installation

Fix the controller _e onto a 35 mm rail. The protection rating of the unit is IP20, therefore it should be mounted in a protected location (e.g. control cabinet).

Ensure a condensation-free environment. Avoid excessive dust, vibration and shock. The air circulation through the vents must not be impeded.

Avoid installation in direct vicinity of frequency inverters.

Electrical connection

Disconnect the installation from power. Connect the unit as indicated on the terminals. Never connect the minus potentials to each other or the minus potentials to the FE connection. Ensure an electrically save ground connection between AS-i controller _e (terminal FE) and ground of the unit.

Supply the controller _e with a 24 V DC voltage (20 ... 30 V PELV), e.g. from the 24 V power supply DN2011 of ifm electronic. The connection is made to the terminals +24 V and 0 V.

Operating and indicating elements

Information concerning the state of the master (AC1345)/masters/AC1346) and the connected system is given via three diagnostic LEDs on the controller _e .

• LED PWR/COM lights: AS-i voltage present, at least one slave was detected
• LED PWR/COM flashes: AS-i voltage present, but no slave was detected correctly
• LED PROJ lights: Projection mode active, the configuration monitoring is deactivated
• LED PROJ flashes: Projection mode active, changeover to protected mode not possible as a slave with the address 0 is connected
• LED CONF/PF lights: Projected and current configuration do not match
• LED CONF/PF flashes: Periphery fault on at least one connected slave
  • LED PROFIBUS lights: Bus error Profibus DP

LED indicators and pin connection

Contrast setting

The contrast can be directly changed by simultaneously pressing the right button and the -button (too bright) or the -button (too dark).

increase contrast

decrease contrast

Operation

To operate an AS-i system a special AS-i power supply is required (e.g. AC1216). The AS-i power supply supplies the yellow AS-i cable with energy and implements a data decoupling to the voltage regulator of the power supply. Standard switched-mode power supplies would consider the AS-i data signals as interference signals and suppress them.

Disconnect the power supply before connecting the controller _e .

The AS-i system is operated ungrounded. AS-i + and AS-i - are to be symmetrical to the ground potential of the installation. Ensure a low resistance connection of the symmetry point of the AS-i power supply (terminal shield) to the ground of the installation.

Menu overview

Open the main menu by pressing the left button "MENU" in the start display.

To navigate within a menu point press the button or .

Press the buttons simultaneously to switch between the German and English menu.

Menu navigation

O Slave lists (Checking of the addresses of the connected AS-i slaves)
∇List of the detected AS-i slaves (LDS)
∇List of the projected AS-i slaves (LPS)
∇List of the activated AS-i slaves (LAS)
∇List of the AS-i slaves with periphery fault (LPF)

O Address slave (Programming of the correct addresses in the connected AS-i slaves)
∇Readdressing of an AS-i slave connected to the controller _e
∇Automatic addressing of new AS-i slaves to the next free address (easy startup)

O Quick setup (Summary of the menu points required for a basic configuration)

∇Reading of the current AS-i configuration (config all)

∇Setting of the fieldbus connection (optional)

O System setup (Setting of the controller e device)

∇Baud rate of the serial programming interface

∇IP address of the Ethernet programming interface (optional)

∇Input of the password to enable changes in the system configuration

Update of the controller e firmware (special programming software required)

O System info (Device information)

∇Hardware and firmware version numbers of this controller _e

∇Serial number of this controller e

∇Current / maximum PLC cycle time

O PLC setup (Using the integrated PLC is optional)

∇Activation or deactivation of the gateway mode (no PLC used)

∇Start or stop of the PLC in the controller _e (if used)

O PLC info (Display of the user program name, author, date)

O Master setup (AS-i master flags)

∇Reading of the current AS-i configuration (config all)

∇Changeover to the projection mode: configuration of the AS-i system

∇Changeover to the protected mode: standard mode (the master monitors the configuration)

∇Deactivation of the automatic AS-i slave addressing in the protected mode

∇Deactivation of the AS-i reset when exiting the projection mode

∇Display of the config error counter of the connected AS-i system

∇Reset of the config error counter

∇Display of the percentage fault rate of the connected AS-i system

O Slave setup (Details about the connected AS-i slaves)

∇Digital or analogue inputs/outputs of the connected AS-i slaves

∇Current and projected parameters of the connected AS-i slaves

∇Current and projected I/O and ID codes of the connected AS-i slaves

∇Message faults in the communication to the connected AS-i slaves

O Fieldbus setup(The different fieldbus interfaces are optional)

Input of the slave address of the controller _e in the higher-level fieldbus

∇Further inputs depending on the higher-level fieldbus

O Fieldbus data (optional)

∇Display of the data cyclically transmitted via the fieldbus