Further documentation on the GE PLC family batteries:

Battery Part Number for VersaMax PLC

Refer to GFK-1503C page 4-11:

The CPU module is shipped with a battery already installed. The battery holder is located in the top side of the CPU module. Before the first use, activate the battery by pulling and removing the insulator tab.

To replace the battery, use a small screwdriver to gently pry open the battery holder.

Replace battery only with one of the following:

GE Fanuc IC200ACC001 --- CPU battery and Holder

Panasonic BR2032

Battery Part Number for VersaMax Micro PLC

Refer to GFK-1645C page 9-23,

For the 23 and 28 point Micro PLCs, a lithium coin cell can be installed in the battery holder and inserted into the front of the Micro PLC behind the removable door. Its purpose is to protect the RAM memory contents of the PLC when the PLC power supply is removed or turned off. It also backs up the CPU’s real-time clock.

Replace the battery assembly with one of the following:

GE Fanuc IC200ACC403

Hitachi-Maxell CR2032WK

Battery Part Number for S9030 PLC

IC693ACC301 --- Battery lit for 9030 CPU and PCM (qty 2)

IC693ACC302 --- External Battery Module

Battery Part Number for S9070 PLC

IC697ACC701 --- Battery lit for 9070 CPU and PCM (qty 2)

Battery Part Number for PACSystem RX7i

IC698ACC701 --- A three-cell lithium battery and spare door

We came across this document today that we thought might be helpful in understanding the capacity of Battery back-up and Capacitor back-up of programs in GE Versamax PLCs,  GE 90-30 PLCs, GE 90-70 PLCs, and PAC systems:

GE PLC Battery and Capacitor capacity

For VersaMax CPUs

Refer to IPI of VersaMax CPU modules:

• Battery backup for program, data, and time of day clock
• Super capacitor provides power to memory for 1 hour
• Over 1 hour, backup battery protects memory contents up to 6 months.
• Backup battery has shelf life of 5 years when not in use.

The part number is IC200ACC001.

For VersaMax Micro 23/28 point PLC

Capacitor backs up RAM and the Time-of-Day clock for at least 30 minutes.

Lithium battery (IC200ACC403, optional battery):

Shelf Life: Up to 5 years typical at 30 °C, Up to 3 years typical at 55 °C

Installed: 4 months battery backup time (powered down) minimum at 55 °C

For VersaMax Micro 14 point PLC and Nano PLC

Capacitor backs up RAM for at least 3 days.

There is no optional battery for 14 point Micro and Nano PLC.

For Series 9030 PLC

Super Capacitor:

The PLC power supply supplies 5 VDC to the memory circuits, including the super capacitor. Therefore, when PLC power is turned off, the super capacitor has an initial 5 VDC charge. If the battery is also disconnected shortly after PLC power is turned off, the super capacitor will begin discharging from the 5 VDC level until its charge reaches 2 VDC, at which time memory contents will be lost. When used this way, the super capacitor can maintain memory contents for a minimum of 1 hour.

The memory backup battery supplies 3 VDC to the memory circuits, including the super capacitor. Therefore, if PLC power has been turned off for an hour or more and only the battery is powering the memory circuits, the super capacitor has a 3 VDC charge. Then, if the battery is disconnected, the super capacitor will begin discharging from the 3VDC level until its charge reaches 2 VDC, at which time memory contents will be lost. When used this way, the super capacitor can maintain memory contents for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Battery: IC693ACC301 battery lit for 9030 CPU and PCM (qty 2)

A battery that is used continuously (supplying current to memory circuits with PLC power off), if used at room temperature, has an estimated average life as follows:

The voltage threshold for the BATT LED to come on in a 90-30 powers supply is 2.5V DC +/- 5%

External Battery Module (IC693ACC302)

This module provides long-term battery backup for all modular Series 90-30 CPUs. Its two-foot cable plugs into the power supply battery connector. The External Battery Module maintains RAM contents on a CPU374 and NIU004 for 15 months. CPU models 331—364 maintain RAM contents for approximately 75 months.

For Series 9070 PLC

IC697ACC701 battery lit for 9070 CPU and PCM (qty 2)

A battery that is used continuously (supplying current to memory circuits with PLC power off) has an average estimated life of 6 months, if used at room temerature.

The voltage threshold for the BATT LED to come on in a 90-30 powers supply is 2.5V DC +/- 5%

For PACSystem RX7i PLC

IC698ACC701 --- A battery that is used continuously (supplying current to memory circuits/calendar with system power off) has a minimum estimated life of 40 days.

If want to keep program forever, write HWC and Logic into Flash memory.

Another GE technical support solution from one of our in-house PLC experts:

Question: The GE PLC battery died over shutdown.  The electrician had to reload the program.  The re-loaded program didn't have the register values.  I don't think I know all I should know about saving programs in ME.  Can you put me in touch with an ME subject matter expert?  

Answer:  When you are online with a PLC, and you want to make a backup that will include the register values, you should go to the top level menu Target, and under this select Upload “Target1” from Controller (Note- if you have renamed the Target, the name will show in the “ “).  When you click on upload, a pop-up window will give you options to select of Hardware Configuration and Motion, Logic, and Initial/Forced Values.  All of these selections should be checked to get a complete upload.  The Initial/Forced Values selections will make sure that the register values are uploaded.  After the upload is complete, you can go offline and close the project using the File-Close Project command.  If you choose to you can then use the File – Backup Project to put the project into a zip file tat can be easily stored or transferred. 

From this point, if you want to load the project to a PLC, you would open the project, go online with the PLC, and with the PLC stopped, select the Target – Download “Target1” to Controller .   This will pop up an options window, where you can select Hardware Configuration, Logic, and Initial/Forced values.  If you choose all of these, after the download is completed the register values will contain the values from your backup.

Here is a question from one of our GE PLC and GE Cimplicity ME users and the answer from one of our in-house PLC engineers:

Question:  In Logic Developer – PLC/Cimplicity ME, I would like to save the project on CD for our customer.  How would I find the files to copy, or does the backup retain all project data (symbols)?

Answer: If you use the backup function in  Machine Edition it will save everything, including logic, configuration, symbols, etc, in one zip file.  You can create a backup in Machine Edition a couple of ways.  With Version 5.9 or later, with your project open, under the File commands there is a selection that says save and backup project.  This will save the project and let you designate where the backup zip file will go.  You can also open Machine Edition and without a project open, you will see in the Navigator a list of projects on your computer.  If you right click on a project name, you will get a pop-up window and one of the selections is Back Up.

I have been asked by several customers about compatibility between Windows 7 and GE Proficy Machine Edition (ME).  Currently, Windows 7 and GE Proficy Machine Edition are not compatible.  Compatibility is projected for late 4Q10 or 1Q11.  No specific date is available.

If you have a PC with Windows 7 and need GE Proficy ME to run on it, the only workaround that we are aware of is to install a Virtual Machine with a Windows XP operating system and then install Proficy Machine Edition in the Virtual Machine.  There are several Vitrual Machine software packages out there.  Microsoft and Sun have downloadable versions available and VMWare is available for purchase (VMWare only works if you have the hardware USB license for Proficy ME).

Qualitrol solves this problem with its new Logic Developer Platform (LDP).  We have a fully-loaded compact PC that runs GE Proficy ME in Windows 7.  We have solved all of the installation issues and issues with the USB serial port - you just power it up and go!

If you have questions on working with Virtual PC and Proficy ME or want more information on our LDP, please contact our technical team at 1-800-784-9385.

Another techincal question/answer session from our GE PLC Specialists:

Question:  The PLC Battery died over shutdown.  The electrician had to reload the program.  The re-loaded program didn't have the register values.  I don't think I know all I should know about saving programs in Cimplicity ME.  Can you put me in touch with and ME subject matter expert?

Answer:  When you are online with a PLC, and you want to make a backup that will include the register values, you should go to the top level menu Target, and under this select Upload “Target1” from Controller (Note- if you have renamed the Target, the name will show in the “ “).  When you click on upload, a pop-up window will give you options to select of Hardware Configuration and Motion, Logic, and Initial/Forced Values.  All of these selections should be checked to get a complete upload.  The Initial/Forced Values selections will make sure that the register values are uploaded.  After the upload is complete, you can go offline and close the project using the File-Close Project command.  If you choose to you can then use the File – Backup Project to put the project into a zip file tat can be easily stored or transferred.

From this point, if you want to load the project to a PLC, you would open the project, go online with the PLC, and with the PLC stopped, select the Target – Download “Target1” to Controller .   This will pop up an options window, where you can select Hardware Configuration, Logic, and Initial/Forced values.  If you choose all of these, after the download is completed the register values will contain the values from your backup.

Manufacturers who are still running legacy Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems - like a GE Series Six, GE Series One, Allen-Bradley PLC-5, or Siemens S5 - are often confronted with one scary question - "How can I get to the program in my Legacy PLC if I ever have an emergency?"  Many older PLC programs used programming software that had to run under - gasp - DOS.

So then the bigger question becomes "How can I run my DOS-based programming software on my Windows-based laptop?"  Well, it can be done, but you have to wrestle with ansi.sys and config.sys files which gets harder and harder with each release of Windows.

Then you have to deal with a maor hardware problem - laptops don't have serial ports any more.  USB-to-Serial connectors work sometimes but that is another path frought with trouble.   This just doesn't seem to get any easier....

Until now.  Qualitrol International is pleased to announce its Logic Developer Platform (LDP). It removes ALL of the headaches in Legacy PLC Programming.  NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED - IT WORKS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX!

• Don't worry about getting DOS to run under Windows or getting the software to run properly - We've already done that for you!
• Don't worry about getting the USB-to-Serial converter working properly - We make sure it works before we ship it!
• Run multiple PLC Programming packages from one programmer - eveen from different PLC manufacturers!
• SHHHHH....We don't call it a computer so IT will never know it is one...but it is a full-functioning unit that runs any Windows application like email, Internet Explorer, and has a solid state drive option so there are no moving parts.

Users of Legacy PLCs are all over this new device.  Never has one PLC Programming device solved the problems of Legacy, DOS-based programs while still being a viable programming tool for Windows-based programming software.  Just another innovative product from Qualitrol International.