I am considering adding a simple HMI to my T3-BB.
As I understand the simplest option is to use T3000 running on a connected PC - using Graphics, Trends, Alarm-Log screens. The other screens of T3000 allow diagnostics, program changes etc with access restricted if necessary.
I see that Temco sells “all-in-one” PCs which I assume are intended to be used as a panel mounted PC and HMI display - avoiding the potential space problem of a separate PC.
If I had a high-level BMS then I could integrate the T3-BB with that - but its not applicable in my case.
What I am wondering about is a standalone HMI screen. I see some previous posts relating to this - but I want to understand the basics. I am not familiar with BACNET s so am thinking of Modbus for data transfers (dedicated RS232 between controller & HMI).
In general terms what I am looking for is a separate HMI screen to provide an operator display much like the T3000 Graphics screen, ie displaying a graphic “background” with process data overlaid on top. Process data would be extracted from the T3-BB - eg by interrogating various registers via Modbus (T3-BB acting as Modbus slave)
Is it possible for specially configured HMI touch screen “input” buttons to write to (input) registers in T3? If so, can such instructions be written to “spare” Inputs (33-64) which I see in the Register list?? (This would allow the HMI touch screen to provide additional inputs above the 32 externally wired inputs).
Is there a way of sending the Alarm Log screen to an HMI (and possibly Trends)? I notice the Register List does not include any Alarm data.
I would appreciate some guidance about what is possible and reasonably easily achieved.
You can use any HMI which supports bacnet or modbus protocols, there’s too many too list here. There’s some examples on this forum using node-red which can be quite sophisticated. We have our webview system which can work with any browser, I have asked the team here to build up an example using an android tablet and accessing the system using chrome. Watch this space for more details later this week.
I am not looking to implement a highly complex HMI - just 4 or 5 screens showing a basic process block diagram with overlaid process values and equipment status). I see this as being fitted to front door of control panel as a primary interface for a part-time “operator”. My idea is that all the lower-level functionality needed by an operator be on HMI
As well, I plan for a local (and also remote) laptop running T3000 for more advanced monitoring/diagnostics by a technician.
My first thought for HMI is to use a simple touchscreen connected to T3-BB via Modbus RTU via RS232. This seems much simpler to me than using a full-function tablet.
My first big question is whether the T3-BB is capable of being Modbus Master for several connected sensors (via RS485) and ALSO being Modbus Slave to HMI which polls for data to display? (ie RS232 and RS485 ports on T3-BB are doing different tasks at the same time).
If this is feasible then HMI would interrogate the required T3-BB registers (based on register table).
I wonder if it might also be possible to define HMI touch screen buttons which could WRITE to spare DI in the register table. (I note that the table has many more DI input registers than physical inputs on controller.) In that way the screen buttons would become program inputs, reducing physical inputs.
Further, it would be highly desirable if one of the HMI screens could be an Alarm Table (possibly a copy of the T3000 AlarmLog screen). Is this possible?
This links to my other questions about the AlarmLog screen and ALARM/DALARM functions in a separate post.
Since the T3BB has two RS485 ports so one could be your HMI and the other could be the Modbus Master. Also you could consider Bacnet since it supports multiple masters on the twisted pair.
I’d give it a go with a low end Android tablet and connect over Wifi. Looks like there’s some decent ones on amazon for $50.
You can add variables to your HMI graphics, a user at the display can toggle parameters on & off which are tied to logic in your sequence.
We can add some graphic elements tied to alarms, sure. We will add it to the todo list.
