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Basics of PLC 61131 programming with Wago CoDeSys software
Wago-I/O-Pro CAA is the Wago version of CoDeSys (Controlled Development System)
by 3S Co. Here are some basics about how it works.
Mark T. Hoske
08/21/2009
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Wago Brent Kucharski, training
Brent Kucharski, a Wago product training manager, told Control Engineering that
the diversity of students ensures that training for I/O-based industrial control
lers is interesting. A recent class included adult students from Nestle Purina,
Swiki Anderson and Assoc., ENSCO, Lubrication Systems Co., and Evrisko Systems.

Germantown, WI - Wago-I/O-Pro CAA is the Wago version of CoDeSys (Controlled Dev

elopment System) by 3S Co. (Smart Software Solutions GmbH), says Brent Kucharski
, Wago product training manager. Hundreds of manufacturers use this IEC 61131 pr
ogramming tool for multiple hardware and software platforms. In a recent trainin
g class, Kucharski said each manufacturer provides a Target Support Package (TSP
), which defines device drivers. IEC 61131 Part 1 is general information; Part 2
is operational funds and requirements; Part 3 is programming languages; Part 4
is the manual; and Part 5 is PLC communications, he said.
Languages are instruction list (IL), ladder diagram (LD), function block diagram
(FBD), sequential function chart (SFC), structured text (ST), and continuous fu
nction chart (CFC), Kucharski explained; Nine Wago products are programmed with
the software. A site license is less than $900.
In the software, on the left is a program organization unit (POU), a box with ve
rtical folders, like a Microsoft Windows tree, he said. On the upper right, the
variable declaration editor is used for local programs. The middle a box shows t
he text or graphical editor. On the bottom is the message window, where compilin
g messages or warnings show.
POU types are:
- Functions. Local variables are initialized each call. Variables do not retain
their value from the previous call. Function name also is name of the output var
iable. Requires one or more input variables.
-Function blocks. FBs retain the value from the previous call. I/O variables are
optional; not every one has to be used. Counters, timers, triggers, and robotic

s are among uses.

-Programs. Programs retain their values, but only have one global instance.
More about languages:
- SFC is a language but cannot work or stand alone. It's basically containers us
ed to house other code in flowchart-type way. Batching and packing machines ofte
n use this (rather than LD, which could run a packaging application in 6,000 run
gs, very hard to troubleshoot.) SFC helps structure software, consists of steps
and transitions, and backs up steps with real actions.
- CFCs can loop back on themselves, are like FBDs and allow free placement of bl
ocks and connections.
- IL is a low level language, causing little work for the CPU. It can be hard to
understand. It is a textual language, like assembler code.
- ST, a textual language, operates high level like PASCAL. It's best for conditi
onal execution and loops.
- FBD is graphical, network-oriented, and easy to understand.
- LD with origins in automotive, is supported by all PLCs support. It is network
oriented and is good for Boolean expressions.
Also read from Control Engineerin g:
- Wago industrial control seminar: Implementation tips for I/O-based controllers
(more photos) ;
and
- Speaking in Tongues: Understanding the IEC 61131-3 Programming Languages .
- Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering www.controleng.com

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