Allen-Bradley Control/CompactLogix Tags

Atomic tags are the simplest tag type in a Control/CompactLogix system: single values such as a BOOL, DINT, or REAL: that serve as the building blocks for more complex tag structures like UDTs and arrays.

Atomic data types are:

• BOOL

• SINT

• INT

• DINT

• REAL

The syntax for Atomic data type is the tag name itself with no precursors or delimiters. You can address all Atomic data types in the C-moreprogramming software. You can import them with L5K or L5X file.

Pre-defined data types are complex and made up of one or more Atomic data types, Arrays, or other pre-defined data types. They are commonly called “Structures” in other programming languages, such as C. Pre-defined data types already exist in RS Logix 5000 with every new project you create.

Structures include:

• Timers

• Controls

• Counters

• Strings

• Any grouping of different data types that function as a single unit and serve a specific purpose predefined in the software

There are hundreds of pre-defined data types available in the RS Logix 5000 software.

You can address all pre-defined data types in the C-more programming software.

You can import pre-defined data types with the L5K or L5X file.

The L5KPreDefine.txt or L5XPreDefine.txt document is located in Documents\AutomationDirect\C-more\Setting.

• This folder must contain the data types you want to import.

Array tags are a data structure of a sequential set of the same data type. Each element has an index number. You can create Arrays from Atomic data types or complex data types (pre-defined or user-defined). You can address all Array tags in the C-more programming software. You can import Array tags (depending upon what data type array) with the L5K or L5X file. Adjust the Import Array Element Count Limit field in the C-more programming software import window to limit the number of import elements.

User-Defined Data Types (UDTs) are custom tag structures to group related data members into a single reusable type. Similar to ControlLogix built-in predefined data types, UDTs allow you to define exactly which data types each member holds. UDTs are accessible across the ControlLogix system and imported into your project using an L5K or L5X file, depending on the members defined within the structure.

• MY_STRUCT_1.DINT_MEMBER.INTARRAY_MEMBER[0].BOOL_MEMBER is a BOOL member of INTARRAY_MEMBER which is a INT member of a DINT member of the MY_STRUCT data type you create.

Add-On Instructions (AOIs) allow you to package reusable logic into a single, self-contained instruction to call throughout your ControlLogix program. AOI parameters work similarly to UDT members: when an AOI is assigned as a controller or program scope tag, its parameters become the tag structure members, letting you access inputs, outputs, and internal data through a consistent, organized structure.

Here are the definitions for AOI Parameters local tags.

Here are controller scope AOI tags. Notice that the AOI local tags are not available. Only input and output tags are available at the controller or program scope. Additionally, for C-more access, you must mark those tags with “Read/Write” or “Read Only” external access permission.

Import the L5K or L5X file from RSLogix 5000.

Newer L5X file format allows C-more to import I/O module tags directly. You can customize a configuration file to reduce the number of I/O module tags, which import automatically. By default, all I/O Module tags import, which may create a large number of unnecessary tags. To disable automatic import for a group of Module tags, change the value from 1 to 0.

The configuration file is at this path: \Documents\AutomationDirect\C-more\Setting\L5XPreDefine.txt

The available options are:

• ModuleIO_Include_Local=1

• ModuleIO_Include_Remote=1

• ModuleIO_Include_Inputs=1

• ModuleIO_Include_Outputs=1

• ModuleIO_Include_Config=1

• ModuleIO_Include_Status=1

The C-more programming software imports both controller scope and program scope tags. In RSLogix 5000, you can save the project as an .L5K or .L5X extension with Save As and choose L5K or L5X at the bottom of the Save As Type drop-down menu.

1. From the Main menu select File.

• The File drop-down menu opens.

2. Select Import and then Tag Name Database.

• The Import Tag Name Database window opens.

3. In the File Path field, click the drop-down arrow and choose your .L5K file.

3. Click Import.

If you have multiple PLCs in your C-more programming software project, you can choose where to import the tags. You can also choose text to append to the end of each tag if you import multiple projects with the same tag names. See Import Control/CompactLogix Predefined Data Types

• C-more programming software supports the following tag types directly from a ControlLogix RSLogix 5000 .L5K or .L5X file:
  Atomic tags
  TIMER
  COUNTER
  STRING
  UDTs made up of those types