Loss of control of outputs has been found to occur in VersaMax Ethernet Network Interface Units (IC200EBI001-AA and IC200EBI001-AB) using the Modbus TCP Protocol.  This loss of control can occur under certain circumstances (such as unplanned interruption of power, of the communication channel, or of the control application), which are not unusual under normal operating conditions.  This loss of control can cause unexpected equipment operation that could result in personal injury or property damage.

All users of the affected NIUs with the Modbus TCP Protocol must follow the required actions set forth below.

This condition has not been observed in such NIUs using the Ethernet Global Data (EGD) protocol.

Description

The loss of control of outputs can occur under either of two failure modes:

1.      If the application controlling the outputs stops updating the outputs, but the Ethernet connection between the controller and the I/O remains active, the affected NIU will not receive any new output values and the outputs will therefore freeze at their last value.

2.      If the affected NIU is connected through an Ethernet hub or Ethernet switch, and there is an unplanned interruption in the Ethernet connection, the outputs will freeze for 10 to 11 seconds before the normal time-out function takes the outputs to the default or configured state.

Required Action

All use of the affeceted NIU with the Modbus TCP protocol must be discontinued until one of the following occurs:

·        Change the application to use the Ethernet Global Data (EGD) protocol rather than the Modbus TCP protocol.  (This requires that the Control Engine you are using support EGD.)

or

·        Install the updated firmware to correct the problem.

Updated firmware (IC200EBI001-R120.ZIP) for the affected NIU is expected to be available by mid-September to address this issue.  The updated firmware will be available via the internet at http://www.gefanuc.com/support/plc/f-versamax.htm and will also be available free of charge from GE Fanuc and from all authorized GE Fanuc distributors, part number (44A751424-G02).

All VersaMax Ethernet Network Interface Units (IC200EBI001-AA and IC200EBI001-AB) must be upgraded with the new firmware.

All VersaMax Ethernet Network Interface Units (IC200EBI001-AA and IC200EBI001-AB) using the Modbus TCP protocol must be upgraded before being used.