Configure Power Operation as an OPC-DA Server

Before you begin configuring OPC communications with Power Operation, refer to these help file locations:

  • In the DriverReferenceHelp.chm help file (located in the Power Operation Bin folder), see the OPC Driver section.
  • In the citectscada.chm help file (also in the Bin folder), see Using OPC Server DA.

You can configure Power Operation to act as an OPC-DA server. In this mode, it will supply data to an OPC client, such as Matrikon OPC Explorer (a free download available at Matrikon.com).

NOTE: We used Matrikon in our tests and validation, but you may have one of the many other OPC products. The information in this document is specific to Matrikon products. Thus, the screens you see in your OPC client software may not be the same as the instructions below.

To select device profiles, create tags, and begin using the Matrikon tool:

  1. From the Profile Editor, select the device profiles to be used for the project that will be used when Power Operation becomes an OPC-DA server.
  2. Use the I/O Device Manager (Start > Programs > Schneider Electric > IO Device Manager) to add the device. This will create the variable tags you need for the project.
  3. To configure the OPC-DA server: In Power Operation Studio, click Topology > Edit, then choose OPC DA Servers.
  4. Complete the fields for the server.
  5. Compile and run the project.
  6. Launch the Matrikon OPC Explorer.

    7. The Matrikon OPC Explorer screen displays. On the left side of the screen, a list of available OPC servers displays.

  7. Highlight the server you want. The Connect button to the right of the list is enabled.
  8. Click Connect.

    9. NOTE: If you are connecting to an OPC Server on a remote networked computer, and it does not display in the list, you must manually add the server. From the top toolbar, click Server > Add/Connect Server. This displays the form used to enter the host and server. Choose the server on that form and click OK to connect.

  9. After you have connected to the server, click Add Tags to display a new pop-up box, which lists the available tags in the project that is running:
  10. To add a single tag to the group, hover over the tag name and right click. Select Add to Tag List. To add all items to the tag list, right click and select Add All Items to Tag List.

    11. Selected tags appear in the Tags to be added column on the right:

  11. After you select all the tags you want, close the form: click File > Update and return.
  12. You return to the main setup page, where the tag values are displayed.