Variables properties

The Variables menu lets you define project variables via configurable properties. Plc and Field variables can be defined.The configurable properties are shown in a table. Each property is assigned a column of the table (see figure below)Click the cell in question (if permitted) to open a scroll menu for configuration of the variable property; alternatively, you can write text. The following properties are available:

TYPE	SIZE
BOOL	(8 bit)
BYTE	(8 bit without sign)
INT	(16 bit with sign)
DINT	(32 bit with sign)
LINT	(64 bit with sign)
USINT	(8 bit without sign)
UINT	(16 bit without sign)
UDINT	(32 bit without sign)
WORD	(16 bit without sign)
DWORD	(32 bit without sign)
ULINT	(64 bit without sign)
REAL	(32 bit mobile decimal)
STRING	(string of characters)

• Source displays the icon that identifies the variable group (display only)
• Name shows the name of the variable (display only). This name identifies the variable and is to be used for the entire project.
• Group Classification of variables by category (display only).. Possible only for PLC variables. Using the menu ‘Group filter’ is possible visualize the only variables belonging to the selected category
• Alarm shows if the variable has been configured as an alarm (display only)
• Type shows the type of variable with reference to PLC language syntax.
• Description Lets you set a description assigned to the variable. Possible only for Field variables and I/O (display only).
• DescriptionId Lets you set a description assigned to the variable. This string is selectable from the list of strings. This string will be used in diagnostic components to provide the user with a descriptive associated with the variable itself.
• UserLevel Lets you set the permitted access levels (writing) to the variable. Possible only for PLC and Field variables. Values are:
• 0 – 15 (if more than one, separated by a comma; ex: 0,2,5)
• ALL (all levels have write access)
• NONE (no level has write access)
• Array Default value is 0. It show that the variable is a single one. In order to create an array it is enough set the number of elements. It is available only for variable of PLC kind. In case of variable of STRING kind, this option allow to specify the lenght of the string including the terminator (default value is 32: 31 characters + 1 string’s terminator)
• Recipe Only for visualization, the setting ha sto bo made in Recipes’s page. It is available only for variable of PLC and Field kind.
• Retained Displays if the variable is “Non Retentive” (false) or “Retentive” (true) Possible only for PLC variables.
• Min Lets you set the minimum settable value. Can be a constant or another variable. Possible only for PLC and Field variables.
• Max Lets you set the maximum settable value. Can be a constant or another variable. Possible only for PLC and Field variables.
• Wiring It is available only for PLC and field variables.
• ReadOnly It allows to select variable access in case it will be inserted inside the published variables grid “Modbus Vars” of GF_Net (access by a Modbus client RTU or TCP).