If you are using Actron's (*) DOS or Windows software products to communicate with your Hitachi PLC, and you are experiencing communications failures, an ERROR CODE is generated and displayed. Enter your Error Code below, and the Explanation will be generated.

TIPS & TRICKS

Communications between your PC and your PLC can be tricky. Here are some things you can try if you continue to experience problems. If you have some Tips and/or Tricks that you would like to share, please click here.

• DOS programs sometimes communicate better when run from DOS, rather than a Window. This is because while in DOS, the DOS program controls the COMM ports via its settings. When run in a Window, all the COMM ports are controlled by the Windows environment, and may conflict with the DOS program settings. Try rebooting to DOS and run your program from the DOS prompt.
• To avoid possible conflicts, your port settings in your Windows environment should mirror the settings in your DOS or Windows Programming Software.
• When troubleshooting, think of the system as a "chain." One broken link and the chain doesn't function properly. The first "link" is the communications settings (i.e. baud rate, parity, stop bit, etc.) in the software itself. Next is the port settings of the PC. These should agree with the software. Next is the communications cable itself. Check the pin-out on each end with a known good reference. Check the entire length of the cable for visible damage (maybe a fork-truck ran over the cable and damaged the conductors). Using a meter, check the pin-out for cold solder joints or bad connections. Your cable should show little or no resistance. Next, look at the PLC. It is possible that there are switch settings or Mode Protocol (labeled COM) settings that will effect communications. Make sure these are in the correct position. You may have to power down and power up your PLC after making the change in order for the new settings to take effect.
• When using Hitachi PLCs, remember that COM does not always refer to the PC COMM PORT! COM can also, and in most cases does, refer to the "Communications Mode Protocol." Don't make the mistake of presuming that because you are using COMM1 on your PC that the COM setting on the Hitachi PLC should be set to "1" also (apples and oranges).
• On Large H series processors, including H200/250/252, H-board and H300/700/1000/2000/4000, the cable helps select baud rates. The H-Series PLCs use the PHL signal for switching the baud rate from 4800bps to 19.2kbps. When the PHL signal is high, the baud rate is 19.2kbps. This is a jumper between pin 8 (PHL) and pin 14 (PV12) on the PLC DB15 connector.
• The EH-150 Series has a PHL switch, that can select baud rate of port 2 manually. When the PHL switch is high, +12V is output from pin 5 (PHL) of port 2.

(*) NOTE: ActSip Programming Software was brand labeled by Reliance Electric as SPX "Shark Programming Executive," and by Furnas Electric as MacLOLA and MacLOLA Plus. The Error Codes on this page is applicable to both of these packages.

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