Modicon Telemecanique Unitelway Network

06 Jun 2025

Operator Interface Tech Note 25 - TNOI25

Abstract

This technical note presents how to connect G3 HMIs on a Unitelway network. This network is using a proprietary protocol from Schneider Telemecanique. The PLCs are also known as Square D or Modicon. As cabling is particular for Unitelway, this technical note will concentrate mainly on the connections between the HMI and the PLCs and between the PLCs. The example is based on a real application and has been tested.

Products

Red Lion Controls CR1000 Human Machine Interface (HMI), CR3000 HMI, DA Series Data Station, Data Station Plus (DSP), G3 HMI, G3 Kadet HMI, Graphite® Controller, Graphite HMI, Modular Controller (MC), and ProducTVity Station™ (PTV)

System Diagram

See Figure 1:

Fig_1.PNG

Figure 1.

As the Unitelway network supports only one master, both G3 will be slaves. Therefore, the communication driver Unitelway Slave will be used in Crimson 2.0 configuration. 

G3 Connections on the Network

In order to get the data exchange shown above working, two cabling solutions are available. Telemecanique PLCs have 2 communication ports on the front panel, see Figure 2. They are actually on the same network and can be used for easy connections to create the network.

Fig_2.PNG

Figure 2.

Using the TER and AUX Ports of the PLCs

Figure 3 shows the connections made using Red Lion Cables CBLTEL01 (Cable for G3
in Slave mode). Details of the cables are shown after. 

Fig_3.PNG

Figure 3.

The cabling pinout is shown in Figure 4.

Fig_4.PNG

Figure 4.

* The above table jumper a bridge between Pin 5 and 7 on the Slave TSX37 terminal port. This bridge is to inform the PLC to act as a slave.

Cabling as a Unique Bus

In this solution, cabling will be the same from a Pin-to-Pin point of view; only the connection point will be different. It will be as shown in Figure 5:

Fig_5.PNG

Figure 5.

Crimson Programming

In order to get this network up on running, the G3s have to be programmed as followed:

Referring to Figure 6:

- Click on the RS485 Comms port
- Select Schneider-Telemechanique Unitelway Slave protocol
- Choose right Baud Rate, parity and stop bits as defined by the network
- Define the TSX as a Master (in our example)
- Enter the G3 address on the network. This address has to be different from the other slaves and cannot be 1, 2 or 3 as they are reserved by the master.

Fig_6.PNG

Figure 6.

- Referring to Figure 7, the Target Drop Number indicates the address of the unit you wish to communicate with. An address of 0 will access the master. You can access other slaves as well if you enter their address. 

Fig_7.PNG

Figure 7.

Finally, simply create Data Tags and map them to the PLC you want to access, you can visualize any data available in the Master or slaves PLCs.

Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. Red Lion makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. Red Lion is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. Red Lion standard product warranty applies.

Red Lion Technical Support

If you have any questions or trouble contact Red Lion Technical Support by clicking here or calling 1-877-432-9908.

For more information: http://www.redlion.net/support/policies-statements/warranty-statement