Architecture and racks

ACE Codex Online · ACE Systems, Whakatane
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PCS Asset Map

PCS Asset Map

Visually explore the hardware configuration of your PLCs, including rack layouts and module details, from project files. Allows manual linking.

This tool provides a visual network diagram of your PLC's hardware configuration based *only* on the PCS project files (`.l5x`, `.xhw`, `.zef`/`.xef`), showing how local and remote racks are connected. Racks marked as hidden in the "PCS Data Viewer" are excluded — and you can Hide / Show the same racks from the drawing itself.

Understanding the Diagram

  • Nodes: The diagram shows the Local Chassis, its Local Modules, and any connected Remote Racks with their respective modules.
  • Lifecycle Colors: The border color of every component (chassis, racks, and modules) indicates its lifecycle status, matching the legend below.
  • Connections: Solid lines show modules on the local backplane. Dashed lines represent network connections from a local communication module to a remote rack (these may need to be added manually). Red lines indicate special connections (e.g., Schneider secondary racks or direct CPU-Rack links).

Hide / Show racks from the drawing

  • Hide: Right-click a rack or local chassis node (not an empty slot) and choose Hide. This uses the same Hidden list as PCS Data Quick Navigation, so the rack disappears here and is Hidden there (and vice versa).
  • Unhide: Click Hidden (N) — show above the map, then Show on a rack, or Show all on this PLC.
  • Hide Empty Slots / Show Empty Slots: Toolbar toggle that hides empty slot placeholders (-- Empty --) on the Asset Map while keeping the rack/chassis visible. This is a view filter only — it does not change the Hidden list or Remove from BOM. Default is Show Empty Slots.
  • Remove from BOM: Also on the right-click menu, matching the amber PCS Data toggle. The rack stays on the map; it is only excluded from Total BOM totals. Excluded racks are marked on the drawing with an amber dashed border, a cream background, and an Excl. BOM label suffix, and the tooltip / context menu call out the exclusion so it is obvious without opening the Data Viewer.

Lifecycle Status

  • Green: Active
  • Orange: End of Life / Limited
  • Red: Discontinued / Obsolete
  • Grey: Unknown

Creating Manual Links

This feature is essential when the project file does not define the link from a local communication card to a remote rack. It allows you to complete the diagram visually.

  1. Hold down the Ctrl key (or Cmd on a Mac).
  2. Click on a single communication module in the local chassis (e.g., a 1756-ENBT).
  3. While still holding Ctrl/Cmd, click on one or more remote racks.
  4. Click the Join Selected button. An orange dashed line will appear, linking the items. This connection is saved locally in your browser.
  5. To remove a manual link, simply select the orange dashed line and click the Unjoin Selected button.

Exporting

  • Export Current to PDF: Generates a high-resolution, A3-sized PDF of the currently displayed map.
  • Export All to PDF: Generates a single PDF containing separate pages for the maps of *all* controllers found in your uploaded PCS files.