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Magnetrol PACTware FAQ
What are FDT, PACTware and DTM?
How can I get PACTware? What is the cost? What do I receive?
What are the minimum system requirements to use PACTware?
What additional items are required to make PACTware operate?
How do I get installed and running? How is it wired?
What does the PC Software program offer for features- setup, trends, echoes, diagnostics, storing information?
Where on the loop can I connect?
Will PACTware work with my current Pulsar transmitters?
Will the Eclipse Model 705 DTM operate with any existing Model 705 transmitter?
Will the Eclipse Model 705 DTM operate with a Model 707 or Model 708?
What about other Magnetrol Products? Other manufacturer’s HART devices?
What happens to the loop output at my control panel when I am hooked up to a field device?
Can this PC Software program work with Foundation Fieldbus?
Why do I get communication error messages when I try to connect to the transmitter?
Who do I contact for help?
What are FDT, PACTware and DTM?
- FDT (Field Device Tool) is a new interface code that describes the standardization between frame programs (e.g., PACTware) and DTMs. Its promise is achievement of the elusive ideal of interoperability- any host system working via any communication protocol (e.g., HART, Fieldbus, Profibus) to any field transmitter.
- PACTware (Process Automation Configuration Tool) is a frame program that operates on a PC or control system. It is a device-independent software program that communicates with all approved DTMs.
- DTM (Device Type Manager) is not a stand-alone program but a device-specific software driver designed to operate within a frame program such as PACTware. It includes all special information needed to communicate
with a specific device (e.g., Pulsar RX5).There are two basic categories of DTMs—Communication (e.g., HART, Fieldbus, Profibus) and Field Device (e.g., Pulsar Radar transmitter).
- Further information can be viewed at www.pactware.com
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How can I get PACTware? What is the cost? What do I receive?
- PACTware is available as a CD or downloaded from the Magnetrol website. Further, Magnetrol is now shipping a CD with every order that includes both MEL (Magnetrol Electronic Literature) and PACTware.
- The complete software package includes
- PACTware frame program
- Microsoft.Net Framework
- HART communication DTM
- Eclipse 7X5 2x DTM
- Eclipse 7X5 3x DTM
- Pulsar RX5 device DTM
- EZII Modulevel DTM
- Jupiter DTM
- Generic HART device DTM
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
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What are the minimum system requirements to use PACTware?
- Pentium II 500 MHz processor
- 128 MB RAM
- 120 MB free hard disk space
- Windows XP/2000 (Service Pack 1)/NT 4.0 (Service Pack 6)
- Internet Explorer 5.0
- Graphic Resolution 1024x768 (16-bit color)
- Microsoft compatible mouse
- RS232 serial or USB interface
- RS232/HART or USB/HART interface adaptor
- Transmitter with current HART revision
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What additional items are required to make PACTware operate?
- In addition to a computer and software the one extra item is a HART modem. There are two types- HART/RS232 and HART/USB. Check your computer to see what connections are available. Many computers have both but some new computers have USB only. The typical cost of this component is $200 - $500 depending on the type and manufacturer.
- Below is a list of common HART modems.
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How do I get installed and running? How is it wired?
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What does the PC Software program offer for features- setup, trends, echoes, diagnostics, storing information?
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Where on the loop can I connect?
- Anywhere on the two-wire loop between the power supply and the tank including at the transmitter itself. Be sure to consider all area classifications when making this determination.
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Will PACTware work with my current Pulsar transmitters?
- There are two, Eclipse DTMs: 2x operates with firmware version 2.x and 3x operates with firmware version 3.x
- Any Eclipse transmitter sold before November 2002 will not operate with PACTware.
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Will the Eclipse Model 705 DTM operate with any existing Model 705 transmitter?
- No, the Eclipse Model 705 DTM will only operate with Eclipse Model 705 transmitters with firmware revision 2.0 or later. This version of Eclipse transmitter was released for sale in November 2002. Any Eclipse transmitter sold before November 2002 will not operate with this DTM.
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Will the Eclipse Model 705 DTM operate with a Model 707 or Model 708?
- No, at this point in time the DTM will only function with a Model 705 transmitter. The 705 version 3x incorporates the capabilities of both the 707 and 708 transmitters.
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What about other Magnetrol Products? Other manufacturer’s HART devices?
- PACTware yields full HART communication capability to any product that has a DTM (Device Type Manager).
- Magnetrol now offers five DTMs- Eclipse 2x, Eclipse 3x, Pulsar, Modulevel EXII and Jupiter.
- Further, the software package includes a Generic HART DTM that will communicate fundamental commands to any HART device of any manufacturer.
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What happens to the loop output at my control panel when I am hooked up to a field device?
- Nothing. PACTware reads transmitter information via HART similar to using a handheld. There should be no interference. However, any changes made via PACTware that affect the output will be detected on the loop.
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Can this PC Software program work with Foundation Fieldbus?
- Yes, PACTware can use Foundation Fieldbus for communication if the proper Foundation Fieldbus Communication DTM is present and the device DTMs also support it. Magnetrol will release this capability at a later date.
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Why do I get communication error messages when I try to connect to the transmitter?
- The most common issue in establishing communication with a transmitter is ensuring PACTware is using the same COM port as the HART modem. Determine the proper COM port by using the following procedure:
Go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager/Ports. Note the COM port number. Go to PACTware. At the top left area of the Project window note the HART DTM (eg. "HART [*] HART Communication"). Right click while this DTM is highlighted. Click PARAMETER and ensure the COM port number listed under Serial Interface is the same as the one observed in Control Panel
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Who do I contact for help?
- Magnetrol offers PACTware HELP by
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