Nexto Series - How to configure BluePlant's OPC UA communication with Nexto

Article translated with the assistance of AI tools. Images and parts of the content will still be reviewed.

This tutorial provides guidelines and procedures for configuring a Nexto PLC as an OPC UA server, allowing communication with a range of other devices through this communication protocol, such as the BluePlant supervisory system which will be covered in this tutorial. If you want OPC UA communication with another device, access the tutorial on how to configure the OPC UA Server on Nexto by clicking here, enabling communication from it.

Components

Software: BluePlant 2018.1.50 and Mastertool IEC XE 3.31

PLC: XP340

Tutorial Sections

1. ARCHITECTURE

2. DEVELOPMENT

   2.1. Nexto configuration as OPC UA server

   2.2. OPC UA client configuration in BluePlant

   2.3. Testing the communication

3. VIDEO

1. ARCHITECTURE

In this tutorial's architecture, the Ethernet port of the XP340 was connected to the computer's Ethernet port using the NX9202 cable. The computer running BluePlant software and the Xpress XP340 must have IPs within the same Ethernet network range.

2. DEVELOPMENT

This tutorial will show the steps to establish communication between the BluePlant software and a Nexto Series PLC using the OPC UA communication protocol.

It is important to have the Nexto Series Manual and the BluePlant Manual on hand for reference during the application steps. These documents will guide you on technical characteristics, mechanical and electrical installation, programming, configurations, and future maintenance.

2.1. Nexto configuration as OPC UA server

First, let's add OPC communication. To do this, right-click on Application, go to Add Object, and then select Symbol Configuration.

The Add Symbol Configuration window will appear. Check the box Support for OPC UA feature. Click Add.

With the above steps completed, the Symbol Configuration tab will open.

Upon entering the tab, click Compile so that all project variable options become available to the OPC CLIENT. Now, you can select on the screen the tags you want to communicate via OPC UA. Then, click “Compile” again in Symbol Configuration.

In the Access Rights column, configure whether you want the variables to be read-only, write-only, or both by clicking the symbol. The marked variables, in this case “var2”, can be read by the OPC CLIENT device.

Next, click the “Compile” menu and then “Generate Code”.

Now, save your project and download it to your PLC.

You can go to Easy Connection and choose the desired device. In this example, the selected PLC is shown in the image below:

Click Login to send to the controller.

2.2. OPC UA client configuration in BluePlant

First, after creating a project in BluePlant, go to the Edit tab and then to Devices.

Select "OPCUA – OPC UA Client" in the Installed Protocols menu.

Click "Create...", then click OK.

Now click on the "Nodes" tab and add a new line to add a new channel.

In the line we just created, select "Primary Station", and configure the options as follows:

Note: The four options selected in red must be checked.

If this is your first time configuring an OPC UA connection in BluePlant, you will need to generate certificates for the software. To do this, click on "Certificates" and the OPC UA configuration wizard will open.

You will need to generate two certificates. The first is for the executable TManagerExe.exe and the second for the executable TRunModule.exe, both located by default in the folder "C:\Program Files (x86)\Altus\BluePlant\bp-2018.1.50".

To generate the certificate, follow the steps below:

• Click on Certificates

• Click "Browse" and select the executable (TManagerExe.exe and then TRunModule.exe)
• Click "Create UA Configuration"

• Click "Edit UA Configuration" and then "Certificates"

• Click "Create" then "OK"

• Click "Save and Close"
• Click "Done"

Repeat the process for both executables. Once done, you can click "Test" in BluePlant and you should see "OK" next to it.

When you declare the Node, you can click on "Import"

Clicking it will open a new window where you will click "Refresh"

After this, the OPC UA server tags will open, where you can uncheck the tags you do not want by right-clicking and selecting "Uncheck", leaving only those you want to work with. Click “Ok.” 

After that, it will create the necessary tags and points for communication.

With all steps completed, you should be able to communicate BluePlant with Nexto through the OPC UA protocol.

2.3. Testing the communication

For testing purposes, a text box was created in Screens, and the Tag var2, defined earlier, was assigned to it.

Running the project in Mastertool IEC XE and BluePlant will result in the following situation:

The values written to the variables in Mastertool IEC XE will appear in the objects created in BluePlant. In the example, the value 1.5 was prepared and written to var2 and is displayed in the text box.

3. VIDEO

If you want to learn more about the importance of OPC UA, its applications in industry, and see a practical exercise of communication between the Nexto PLC and the BluePlant SCADA, watch our Webinar: