Why do I get FP Error 33437?

[Rhodia]

I sometimes get Error 33437 "The specified module was sent a Power Up clear command: FP write.vi" This error occurs in the middle of a test when a LabVIEW vi attempts to take a 4-20 mA reading from a pressure sensor. We are using FP-1000 Network, FP-RLY-420 relay and FP-AI-1000 analog input modules. The communications to the relay module seem to work OK. The message is generated only occaisionally - not everytime the AI module is accessed.

[JohnM]

Rhodia,

The 33437, Power-Up Clear error, provides an indication to the host that there has been a power failure and that the FieldPoint module has been reset to power-up configuration. To prevent this error from reappearing, make certain that the power being supplied to the FP-1000 is continuous, otherwise the above error will occur. Since you are using the FP-RLY-420 module, you are most likely turning a device on or off. If you are using the same power supply that the FP-1000 is using to power your device, you may be experiencing an inrush current that is greater than what your power supply can handle, resulting in a loss of power to the FP-1000. This loss of power would explain why you are seeing the above error message.

Regards,

John

[Rhodia]

Thank you for your help. Indeed, I found that the power supply that feeds the FP-1000 and some of the components wired to the relay was probably not large enough. I added a new power supply that has twice the output. However, we continue to get the same error message periodically. But now it appears at the very start of the test - i.e when the user presses the "start" button on the front panel of the application. I noticed that it happens usually after the computer has been in a power save mode. Could the fact that the hard drive is shut down during this power save mode create this error when a VI is started and the FP module is first addressed?

[JohnM]

Rhodia,

Since I do not have a detailed specification of your FieldPoint system, I am going to assume that your external devices still create an inrush current problem that causes your power supply to drop below the 11-volt requirement of the FP-1000, resulting as if a power cycle occurred. The solution would be to use two power supplies. One for the FP-1000 and the other for your external devices. Since the error code that you are receiving indicates that the FieldPoint Bank has been power cycled, I believe the above solution should eliminate the 33437 error.

Best Regards,

John M

[franckfischer]

The point is I use same stuff and I get same 33437 error ; The message occurs daily at each first-cycle, but not while rest of time. It appears on the first Write.vi of the sequence. Have you found a solution ? I try to modify watchdog timer value of FP-1000, as said in the notice but I don't know if it will be efficient.

[Rhodia]

I have not completely resolved this problem yet. I am having seperate power supplies installed soon (1 for FP modules, 1 for the devices that include 2 solenoid valves). I too notice that the error always occurs during the first Write.vi the first time it is executed after we reboot the PC, but also it occurs intermittently at other times during execution of the LabView application. What is the "Watchdog Timer Value" you mention?

[franckfischer]

The watchdog timer value is a caracteristic of FP-1000 communication module which set the delay after the response is considered an error.
Our problem has a solution, on page 4-2 of Fieldpoint Programmer reference manuel, it is mentioned : "...returning a power-up clear expected error message in response to the first command following application of power". The syntax command is something like >33A??[cr]. But I don't know how use it in Labview. Are you using Labview or Fieldpoint commands? If you want you can mail me at ffischer@eu.smurfit.com

Regards. Franck.

[franckfischer]

The point is I use same stuff and I get same 33437 error ; The message occurs daily at each first-cycle, but not while rest of time. It appears on the first Write.vi of the sequence. Have you found a solution ? I try to modify watchdog timer value of FP-1000, as said in the notice but I don't know if it will be efficient.

[Aaron_G]

I am placing this answer on the original post because I am providing a detailed description on why a Power Up Clear warning occurs, even though I will address some of the comments as well.

First of all, in answer to one of the comments, modifying the watchdog timer will have no effect on a Power_Up Clear Expected warning response.

An FP-1000/1001 module will return a warning response "N00" on several occasions following power first being applied to the unit or power being reapplied to the unit. The first communication directed specifcally at the network module, and at each I/O module on the bank, if it is not the power up clear command "A", will return "N00" which means that a power up clear was expected. The first command to the module, even if not a power up clear (resulting in the warning) is treated as a power up clear command so that subsequent commands execute normally. The power up clear expected will be return for each I/O module on the bank when it is first addressed.

If the Power up clear expected warning is problem for you on a daily or repetitive basis, you can write an initalization routine for your program, that starts of with a read from each module on the system, discard the warnings, then starts the main portion of your program.

Alternatively, if you are using the Optomux Command set (with either the FieldPoint-Optomux VI's or your own programming), make sure that you send the Power Up Clear command to each module at the start of the program. For example, to send a power up clear to a network module at address 0, you would send the command ">00A??[lf][cr]" where [lf][cr] is a line feed/carriage return and the ?? means to ignore the checksum. Alternatively, the checksum variation is ">00AA1[lf][cr]". To send the command to module address 4, it would be ">04AA5[lf][cr]".

Franck, the fact that you see the Power Up Clear Expected command as a normal occurance throughout your operation indicates that your module is continually being reset. I would put a scope on your power supply lines because you likely have a very noisy DC signal.

Regards,
Aaron

[franckfischer]

I have tried to send >00A??CR command with an optomux VI's (see bmp zipped file). Is [lf] instruction useful ? How using it ?
The port number must be in hex or dec (300 or 768 ; i have tried both). Thank you. Regards. Fnk.