Displaying Analog IOs on Node-RED

Integrating a Delta PLC simulator with Node-RED, a powerful flow-based programming tool, can provide a flexible and efficient way to visualize and interact with analog inputs and outputs. This guide will explore the steps involved in displaying analog IOs from a Delta PLC simulator on a Node-RED dashboard.

Hardware and Software Setup

1. Delta PLC Simulation: Set up a Delta PLC simulation environment with the desired analog I/O configuration.
2. Node-RED: Install and configure Node-RED on a suitable computer or server.
3. Node-RED Nodes: Install the necessary Node-RED nodes for communicating with the Delta PLC simulator. This may include OPC UA nodes or other communication-related nodes.

Configuring OPC UA in Delta PLC Simulator

1. Enable OPC UA: Enable OPC UA communication in the Delta PLC simulator and configure the necessary settings.
2. Define Tags: Define OPC UA tags in the PLC simulator to represent the analog input and output values.

Creating a Node-RED Flow

1. Start a New Flow: Create a new flow in Node-RED to manage the integration.
2. Add OPC UA Node: Add an OPC UA node to the flow. Configure the node to connect to the Delta PLC simulator using the specified OPC UA settings.
3. Add Input and Output Nodes: Add input and output nodes to the flow to represent the analog IOs. These nodes can be of various types, such as number or gauge nodes.
4. Connect Nodes: Connect the OPC UA node to the input and output nodes using the appropriate wires.

Mapping Tags

1. Map Input Tags: Map the input nodes to the corresponding OPC UA tags in the PLC simulator that represent the analog input values.
2. Map Output Tags: Map the output nodes to the corresponding OPC UA tags in the PLC simulator that represent the analog output values.

Creating Visualizations

1. Add Dashboard Elements: Add dashboard elements to Node-RED, such as gauges, charts, or numeric displays, to represent the analog IOs.
2. Bind Dashboard Elements: Bind the dashboard elements to the input and output nodes. This will ensure that the visualizations update in real-time based on the data from the PLC simulator.

Configuring Scaling and Units

1. Scaling Factors: Define scaling factors in Node-RED to convert the raw analog values from the PLC simulator into meaningful units (e.g., temperature, pressure).
2. Unit Conversions: Implement logic in Node-RED to perform unit conversions if necessary (e.g., Celsius to Fahrenheit).

Testing and Validation

• Test Data Display: Verify that the analog IO values are displayed accurately on the Node-RED dashboard.
• Test Input and Output Functionality: Simulate changes to the analog inputs and observe the corresponding changes in the outputs.

Additional Considerations

• Node-RED Security: Implement appropriate security measures to protect the Node-RED environment and prevent unauthorized access.
• Scalability: Design the Node-RED flow to be scalable to accommodate additional analog IOs as needed.
• User Experience: Consider the user experience when designing the Node-RED dashboard, ensuring it is intuitive and easy to use.