Prioritize message importance and structure network traffic effectively to enhance PLC efficiency
Controls engineers must carefully manage data polling over Ethernet to minimize the impact on programmable logic controller (PLC) cycle times.
As Evan Novakowski explained to Automation World, the key considerations include how frequently data is needed, the size of data packets, the network bandwidth and the protocol used for communication.
Polling too frequently can overload a PLC’s CPU, leading to dropped data, corruption or even skipped logic execution. Engineers should prioritize critical data by adjusting polling rates, using periodic tasks instead of continuous scanning and ensuring network bandwidth aligns with communication demands.
By segmenting fast and slow response data and organizing transmissions efficiently, engineers can optimize PLC performance while maintaining reliable machine operation. To learn more about data polling, read the full article from Automation World.
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