'Data List' Editor (EtherNet/IP node)

The following information refers to a specific, typical device type. Your screen may differ.

This help topic describes the 'Data List' editor of the EtherNet/IP PLANT node.

This topic contains the following sections:

Content of the EtherNet/IP node Data List

The Data List of the EtherNet/IP PLANT node contains the variables and process data items of the controller used in the EtherNet/IP network.

Functions of the EtherNet/IP node Data List

The Data List is a tabular editor which can be used for the assignment (role mapping) of data items.

Toolbar of the EtherNet/IP node Data List

Click here to show the toolbar description

Toolbar button	Description
	This command is only available for machine controller variables which are assigned to a Safety PLC variable or to a process data item. Deletes all assignments of the selected PLC variable. The disconnected controller variable is not deleted.
	This command is only available for Safety PLC variables which are assigned to a machine controller variable or a process data item. Deletes all assignments of the selected Safety PLC variable. The disconnected Safety PLC variable is not deleted.
	The command is available in all Data Lists for variables which are connected to at least one other role. It is also useable for multiple mappings (e.g., threefold mapping between machine controller variable and Safety PLC variable and process datum). Deletes all assignments in the selected table row. Disconnected variables are not deleted.
	Opens the toolbar for local find and replace operations.

Columns in the Data List

Click here to show the description of the Data List columns (each column represents one data item property)

Column

Property

Meaning

Process data item

Expand the column by clicking the

icon in the column header to display further properties.

Identifier of the process data item.

I/Q

Indicates the data direction of the process data item:

I = Input process data which can be read by the application program.
Q = Output process data which can be written in the application program.

Type

Data type of the process data item (field bus data type).

Offset

Indicates the bit offset of the process data item from the start address of the communication packet for this device/module.

Variable (PLC)

Expand the column by clicking the

icon in the column header to display further properties.

Identifier of the global IEC variable.

Type

Data type of the variable. The data type determines what kind of value the variable can have and it defines the initial value, range of possible values and the number of bits.

Left-clicking into the cell shows the selectable data types represented by a corresponding symbol and the data type name.

Usage

Keyword that defines the scope of the variable.

In the Data List of the controller, only 'Global' is available for declaring resource-global variables which can be used in all POUs of the related resource.

Comment

User-defined comment. The input is limited to 128 characters.

Init

According to IEC 61131-3, initial values can optionally be assigned to variables. This means that a variable which is going to be used for the first time in the controller program is used with its initial value.

The initial value has to fit to the selected data type.

Note
Variables which are assigned to physical inputs cannot be initialized.

Note
If you are using iCube Engineer in another user interface language and/or with another Windows system locale than English you must enter numeric values with a '.' as decimal separator (always according to the English standard). This applies, for example, when entering initial values in variables tables or REAL/LREAL literals in the code.

Retain

Specifies that a retentive variable is declared. The value of a retentive variable is kept in the controller memory even if power is switched off. In case of a warm start, the last value of the variable is going to be used.

The 'Retain' attribute is not allowed in combination with the 'Constant' attribute and vice versa.

Also refer to the topic "Retain Handling" for further information.

Constant

Declares a constant variable (VAR_CONSTANT acc. to the IEC 61131-3).
The value of a constant variable cannot be changed by the running application (read-only access).

See the topic "Constant Variables" for further information.

OPC

Specifies that the variable is visible for the integrated OPC UA server and can therefore be subscribed by OPC clients.

Note
This attribute is not relevant for the OPC UA PubSub communication. Global variables can be added to a PubSub data set even if the checkbox is not selected.

Variable (Safety PLC)

This column and its properties are only available if a Safety PLC is used in your project.

Expand the column by clicking the

icon in the column header to display further properties.

Identifier of the safety-related global IEC variable.

Type

Data type of the variable. The data type determines what kind of value the variable can have and it defines the initial value, range of possible values and the number of bits.

Left-clicking into the cell shows the selectable data types represented by a corresponding symbol and the data type name.

Usage

Keyword that defines the scope of the variable.

In the Data List of the controller, only 'Global' is available for declaring resource-global variables which can be used in all POUs of the related resource.

I/Q/M

Data direction of the variable. This property is only available for Safety PLC variables (of both standard and safety-related data types).

M = variable is marker variable. It is neither connected to a device input/output nor it is used as exchange variable.
I = variable can be read by the safety-related application. It can be connected to an input process data item or it can be used as "incoming exchange variable" which is written in the standard (non-safety-related) application.
Q = variable can be written by the safety-related application. It can be connected to an output process data item or it can be used as "outgoing exchange variable" which is read in the standard (non-safety-related) application.

Further Info
Refer to the topics "Role Mapping in Data Lists" and "Exchanging Data between Controller and Safety PLC".

Comment

User-defined comment. The input is limited to 128 characters.

Init

The initial value has to fit to the selected data type.

Confirm

The 'Confirm' flag is active and must be selected under the following circumstances:

Each time you assign a process data item to a safety-related variable (thus defining a safety-related input or output variable).
Each time a process data item which is assigned to a safety-related variable was modified in the PLANT.1

iCube Engineer reports a warning message in the Safety Log (MESSAGES window) as long as 'Confirm' is not selected for all safety-related I/O variables.

The 'Confirm' flag is automatically deselected after replacing a safety-related module. In this case, you must repeat the I/O verification and set 'Confirm' again for the affected variables. Observe the hazard message and information given in the topic "Replacing Devices", section "Safety requirements when replacing the Safety PLC...".

What do you want to do?

Remove assignments (disconnect)

Filter & Sort the Data List