Viewing Variables in the Logic - LS Electric XGB PLC from AutomationDirect

Now that we have created some global variables and assigned them to direct variable addresses, let’s explore ways to view this information in the ladder logic. To open our logic program, we go to the project window on the left side of the screen and double click on “LadderProgram1.” This opens the ladder logic for this program in the main view. We have already created a rung of logic that shows the global variables, “Test 1,” “Test 2,” and the local variable “Test 4.” With the default view we only see the variable name. If we go to “View,” we can see there are 6 options for how to view variables in the logic. The default of “Variables” only shows the variable names. If we select “Devices” we will see any direct addresses associated with each variable. In our ladder logic, the variables “Test1” and “Test2” have been replaced with direct variable addresses while “Test4,” which isn’t mapped to a direct variable, remains. If we go to the Global/Direct variables screen we can see that those two variables have indeed been mapped to the two direct addresses displayed in the logic. If we select the “Devices/Variables” view, it will show the direct address (if there is one) for a global variable above the object, and the global variable name below. For variables that don’t have a direct address, such as Test4, it shows the variable name above the object instead. If we select the “Devices/Comments” view, it will now show the direct variable address or variable name (if there is no direct address) above the object, and the comments made in the Global, Direct or Local variable screens for that variable. The “Variables/Comments” view is very similar to the “Devices/Comments” view but with the variable name above the object and the comment below. Finally, there is the “Show All” view. As the name implies, this view displays all three pieces of information. It shows the variable names and comments above the object and the direct variable addresses below.