How to configure PN5R-1616B+ and its configurable channels in TIA Portal?

Article Overview

1. Demo Product:PN5R-1616B+

 Configuration Tool: TIA Portal

1. Core Operations: Add GSD file → Assign device name and IP → Add module online → Download program → Configure DIP switch channels

2. Key Prerequisites: The corresponding GSD file must be installed in advance; both the Alarm version/standard version switch and DI/DO DIP switch changes require a power cycle to take effect.

3. Important Notes: DIP switch 0 is off by default (standard version); DIP switches 1–5 are only effective for PN5R-1616A+/PN5R-1616B+; in adaptive mode, a channel with an input signal can still output voltage via the Q address, while triggering an alarm.

PN5R-1616B+ is a Solidot PROFINET all-in-one horizontal I/O module with 16-channel digital PNP input and 16-channel digital PNP input & output compatible. How to complete the full configuration from GSD file import to device online in TIA Portal, and correctly use the configurable input/output channels and DIP switches?

First, it must be clarified that the TIA Portal configuration of PN5R-1616B+ consists of two phases: first, install the GSD file, assign the device name, and add the module online; then, flexibly set the DI/DO direction for each group via DIP switches. This article will focus on these steps, covering the complete configuration process, DIP switch configuration rules, Alarm version address arrangement, and how to view alarms in the standard version.

I. Configuration Steps

1.Open TIA Portal, create a new project and add a PLC.

2.Add GSD file: In the menu bar, select "Options" → "Manage general station description files (GSD)", locate the GSD file provided by Solidot (filename containing PN5R-1616B+）, and click "Install". After installation, the PN5R-1616B+ module will appear in the hardware catalog.

3.Assign device name: In the project tree, expand "Online access" and search, find the I/O module, and manually assign the device name and IP address.

4.Add module: Perform a search via "Online" → "Hardware detection" → "PROFINET devices in network", and add the detected PN5R-1616B+ to the project. After successful hardware detection, a prompt will appear stating "Hardware detection of I/O devices completed successfully. All devices have been successfully added to the project." Click "OK".

5.Assign and download program: In the network view, confirm the device connection, click "Assign" to complete IP assignment, then download the program to the PLC to complete the configuration.

II. DIP Switch Description

The PN5R-1616B+ module has six DIP switches numbered 0–5, each with independent functions, as described below:

• DIP 0 – Alarm version switch
  DIP 0 is used to switch between Alarm version and standard version for the entire PN5R series. It is off by default (standard version). The Alarm version adds two bytes of uplink alarm code compared to the standard version. When enabled, the module reports the current fault status in the first two bytes of uplink data. The alarm code meanings are as shown in the table. For example, when the load-side voltage is not connected, the alarm code displayed in the monitoring table is 16#0001.

• DIP 1–5 – Configurable input/output channels
  These DIP switches are dedicated to configurable modules. Depending on the state of DIP 1, there are two working modes:

  When DIP 1 is 0: The channel direction is determined by DIP switches 2–5. Each of these corresponds to one group of four channels, and they set the group as DI (input) or DO (output) in binary.

  When DIP 1 is 1: Adaptive mode – The configurable channels automatically determine direction based on actual wiring, requiring no manual DIP setting.

  Note: In adaptive mode, a channel with an input signal can still output voltage via the Q address, while the module triggers an alarm.

III. Address Arrangement for Configurable I/O Module

In the Alarm version, the first two bytes of uplink data are occupied by the alarm code, followed by 4 bytes of input data corresponding to the fixed 16 input points and the 16 configurable points. Output data occupies 2 bytes for the 16 configurable points.

In the standard version, there is no alarm code in uplink data; input data is 4 bytes (fixed 16 inputs + 16 configurable), output is 2 bytes for the configurable points.

IV. Viewing Alarms in Standard Version

The standard version does not report alarms via uplink data, but alarms can be read via TIA Portal diagnostics. When an alarm occurs (e.g., load voltage not connected), find the PN5R-1616B+ module in the device view, double-click the wrench icon to enter the "Online & Diagnostics" interface, and check the specific alarm information under "Diagnostics → Standard diagnostics".

Tip: The standard version does not actively report alarms in the monitoring table; it is recommended to regularly check device status using TIA Portal diagnostics during the debugging phase.