Fit a FENA-11/-21, set 50.01 = its slot, 51.02 = PROFINET IO (PNIO ABB Pro), set the IP in 51.04–51.13 and run 51.27 refresh. Set 20.01 = Fieldbus A and 22.11 = FB A ref1. In the PLC, import the GSDML, assign the same device name, use PPO Type 4, and check 51.31 = On-line.
What you need
- Drive side: ACS580 with a FENA-11 (one port) or FENA-21 (two ports, daisy chain, MRP). FENA supports PROFINET IO conformance class B and runs at 100 Mbit/s full duplex.
- PLC side: a PROFINET IO controller — S7-1200/1500, or AC500 with a CM579-PNIO module.
- Network: CAT5 or better, max 100 m per segment, managed or unmanaged switch.
- Software: Drive Composer for the drive, TIA Portal or Automation Builder for the PLC, and the FENA GSDML file.
Drive parameters
Values marked "lab" come from the Softwell bench ACS580 and ACS880 Drive Composer printouts (December 2024), both of which showed 51.31 On-line.
| Parameter | Name | Set to | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
50.01 | FBA A enable | Option slot of the FENA | Activates the adapter in that slot |
50.02 | FBA A comm loss func | Fault (or last speed) | What the drive does if the PLC is lost |
50.03 | FBA A comm loss t out | e.g. 3.0 s | Delay before the comm-loss action |
51.01 | FBA A type | Ethernet (read-only) | Shows the drive has detected the FENA |
51.02 | Protocol/Profile | PNIO ABB Pro (lab) or PROFIdrive | PROFINET IO with ABB Drives or PROFIdrive profile |
51.04 | IP configuration | Static IP | Fixed address, or leave to the PLC |
51.05–51.13 | IP, subnet (CIDR), gateway | e.g. 192.168.0.16 / 24 | Must match the project |
52.01 / 52.02 | Data in 1 / 2 | SW 16bit / Act1 16bit (lab) | Drive → PLC words |
53.01 / 53.02 | Data out 1 / 2 | CW 16bit / Ref1 16bit (lab) | PLC → drive words |
51.27 | FBA A par refresh | Refresh | Activates changed group 51–53 settings |
51.31 | D2FBA A comm status | On-line | Confirms cyclic exchange |
20.01 | Ext1 commands | Fieldbus A | Start/stop from PROFINET |
22.11 / 28.11 | Ext1 speed / frequency ref1 | FB A ref1 | Reference from PROFINET |
Set up PROFINET on the ACS580
8 stepsFit the FENA
Power off, wait 5 minutes, fit the FENA-11/-21 in an option slot and tighten the screw to 0.8 N·m. Connect a CAT5 or better cable to X1.
Enable the adapter
50.01 FBA A enable = the slot used. Check 51.01 shows Ethernet.
Select PROFINET
51.02 Protocol/Profile = PNIO with the ABB Drives profile (our lab: PNIO ABB Pro) or PROFIdrive.
Set IP and comm loss
51.04–51.13 IP, subnet and gateway; 50.02/50.03 communication-loss action and time.
Map the process data
With PPO Type 4, CW and Ref1 go to the drive and SW and Act1 come back; extra words are set in groups 52 and 53.
Give control to the fieldbus
20.01 Ext1 commands = Fieldbus A; 22.11 or 28.11 Ext1 ref1 = FB A ref1.
Refresh the adapter
51.27 FBA A par refresh = Refresh (not possible while running). Save with 96.07.
Configure the PLC
Import the FENA GSDML, add the drive, set the same device name and IP, insert PPO Type 4, download, and assign the device name online. 51.31 must show On-line.
Siemens TIA Portal
- Options › Manage general station description files: install the FENA GSDML.
- Network view: drag the ABB drive from Other field devices › PROFINET IO › Drives and assign it to the PLC's PROFINET interface.
- Properties › PROFINET interface: set the IP address and a device name (e.g.
vfd-pump1), matching the drive. - Device view: insert the PPO Type 4 module and note its I and Q start addresses.
- Compile and download, then Online › Assign device name to write the name to the FENA.
- In the program, write CW to QW n and Ref1 to QW n+2; read SW from IW n and Act1 from IW n+2.
ABB AC500
In Automation Builder, add a CM579-PNIO as the PROFINET IO controller, import the FENA GSDML, add the drive under it with the same device name and IP, and select PPO Type 4. ABB's FENA manual includes a full AC500 example and a shared-device example for using one drive with a control PLC and a safety PLC.
Set this up on real hardware
Our Day 3 lab connects ACS580 + FENA to S7-1500 and AC500 over PROFINET.
Control word and Ref1
With the ABB Drives profile the first output word is the control word: send 047E, then 047F to run. Ref1 in the second word sets the speed.
Control word decoder (ABB Drives profile)
Type a control word in hex, or tap a common value, to see which bits are set.
Ref1 scaling calculator
In the ABB Drives profile, Ref1 = ±20000 equals the drive's scaling value: 46.01 Speed scaling (rpm) in speed control, or 46.02 Frequency scaling (Hz) in frequency control.
Troubleshooting with 51.31
51.31 D2FBA A comm status shows exactly where the link stops: Idle, Exec.init, Time out, Conf.err, Off-line, On-line or Reset.
| What you see | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 51.31 shows Idle or Off-line | Adapter not configured or no PLC connection | Check 50.01 slot, 51.02 protocol, cable and switch; run 51.27 refresh |
| 51.31 shows Time out | Drive and adapter lost contact | Re-seat the FENA, check the screw (grounding) and power-cycle |
| 51.31 shows Conf.err | Adapter configuration/mapping problem | Check firmware compatibility and repeat 51.27 refresh |
| PLC: device not reachable, IP correct | PROFINET device name missing or different | Assign the device name online from TIA / Automation Builder |
| Runs but speed wrong | Ref1 scaling or wrong word order in PPO | Ref1 20000 = 46.01/46.02; check word 2 is Ref1 |
FENA has configuration web pages. ABB recommends disabling them after commissioning and keeping drive networks behind a firewall.
Test yourself: PROFINET in ABB VFD
Five quick questions. Answers show straight away.
1. Which parameter activates changed FENA settings?
2. A drive is not found although its IP is correct. Most likely missing:
3. Which file adds the ABB drive to TIA Portal?
4. Which parameter must show On-line?
5. Which FENA supports daisy chain and MRP?
Your score: . Want to set this up on a real drive and PLC? Book a free demo class.
Frequently asked questions
Which ABB adapter is needed for PROFINET on an ACS580?
A FENA-11 or FENA-21 Ethernet adapter in an option slot. FENA-21 has two ports for daisy chaining and supports MRP ring redundancy.
Where do I get the GSDML file?
From ABB's fieldbus connectivity pages for the FENA adapter; install it in TIA Portal or Automation Builder before adding the drive.
Why does the PLC not find the drive even though the IP is right?
PROFINET addresses devices by name. Assign the same PROFINET device name to the FENA as in the PLC project.
What does 51.27 FBA par refresh do?
It activates changed adapter settings in groups 51–53. It cannot be used while the drive is running.
Which telegram is used?
PPO Type 4 is the usual choice: six process data words each way, with CW/Ref1 out and SW/Act1 in as the first two words.