Please Note
Presently, Wi-Fi is only for real time viewing and configuration of the PM-50. With DHCP Client enabled on, it is possible for the IP address to dynamically change by the server. There are only a few parameters that you cannot configure through Wi-Fi. There is a small delay to real time data update.
This article will discuss connecting a PM50 panel meter to a Wi-Fi network.
APPLICABLE PRODUCTS
All PM50 series panel meters.
PRE-REQUISITES
- Wi-Fi network
- Wi-Fi enabled in PM50 configuration menu
- IP Address from the PM50 panel meter
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Wi-Fi Setup and Remote Access
- Wi-Fi Status
- How to connect to the PM-50 Wi-Fi Client
- How to connect to the PM-50 Wi-Fi Access Point
Wi-Fi Setup and Remote Access:
The Wi-Fi setup can be done during the Initial Setup Wizard, by importing the configuration from another device, or using the Quick Setup section. Note: The Admin password must be enabled for Wi-Fi setup to be accessed.
1. If not using the Wizard or importing the configuration, then login to the device as the Admin user using the touchscreen.
2. Go to System Configuration → Network Configuration → Wi-Fi Configuration
2a. Set Enable Wi-Fi to ON and click the right navigation arrow.
2b. If the Admin Password is configured already, then the next page will be Wi-Fi Connection Mode. Else, “Set Admin Password” page will be loaded to configure the Admin password and proceed.
3. Set the Wi-Fi Connection Mode to Client or Access Point based on the remote connection requirement as follows:
Client Mode:
- In Client Mode, set Enable DHCP Client to ON and the connected running DHCP Server will assign the IP information. Otherwise, set Enable DHCP Client to OFF, then click on the right navigation arrow and setup the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway. Configure the Access Point SSID and Password to connect to the running DHCP Server network.
Access Point:
- In Access Point mode, set Enable DHCP Server to ON if the user has to get the IP assigned automatically when they connect to the device’s Access Point.
When Enable DHCP Server is ON, the user has to setup the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, Starting Address, and Ending Address. • The Starting and Ending Addresses are used by the DHCP Server to assign a range of IP addresses allowed to connect to the PM-50. If Enable DHCP Server is OFF, then the user has to setup the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Gateway.
4. Set the Encryption Mode based on the Access Point encryption requirement. Once the Wi-Fi Configuration setup is complete, turn Enable Modbus/TCP over Wi-Fi ON or OFF based on the necessary requirements. (This is not in the Wizard.)
5. Click the Apply button on the final page to configure the Wi-Fi settings.
Wi-Fi Status
The Menu bar should load with the Wi-Fi Icon after returning to the main display. There are two methods to check the status of the Wi-Fi:
1. Return to the configuration mode and click the Wi-Fi Icon in the menu bar. A page will load with the device IP details.
2. Go to Device → Misc. Configuration → About this Device and click the right navigation arrow to go to the Network Configuration section.
<On Successful configuration> IP Info: (AP) https://xxx.xxx.x.xx (your IP address) Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 192.168.1.1 Wi-Fi Status: Cfg Success, AP 1 devices
<On connection failure with invalid SSID or password> IP Info: (No Wi-Fi) 0.0.0.0 Wi-Fi Status: Cfg Success, Disconnected
<On configuration failure with Wi-Fi setup> IP Info: (No Wi-Fi) 0.0.0.0 Wi-Fi Status: Configuration Failed
<On Wi-Fi setup is not initialized> IP Info: (No Wi-Fi) 0.0.0.0 Wi-Fi Status: Cfg not initialized
The Network Configuration section provides the Wi-Fi configuration details with its IP Information or any connection issue. Once the Wi-Fi Setup is successful with the IP assigned to the device and your PC/Mobile is connected, based on the “Wi-Fi communication mode”, follow the steps below to access the device configuration.
How to connect to the PM-50 Wi-Fi Client
1. Once the PM-50 is configured in Client mode successfully, the Wi-Fi icon will appear. Connect the PC/Mobile to the same network with the SSID and password.
2. To view the Wi-Fi configuration status with the IP details, click the Wi-Fi Icon in the menu bar while in Configuration mode, or go to Device → Misc. Configuration → About this Device. Then click the right navigation arrow to access the Network Information section.
<On Successful configuration> IP Info: (AP) https://xxx.xxx.x.xx (your IP address) Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 192.168.1.1 Wi-Fi Status: Cfg Success, Connected
3. Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari etc.) or the Mobile App and enter “https://xxx.xxx.x.xx (your IP address)” to connect to the PM-50.
Note: You must be logged out of Configuration Mode on the device to log into configuration using Wi-Fi.
How to connect to the PM-50 Wi-Fi Access Point
1. Once the PM-50 has been configured in Access Point mode successfully, enable the Wi-Fi mode on your device and search for the SSID configured in the device.
2. Select the SSID and connect with the given password.
3. To check the connection status with the IP details from the PM-50, click the Wi-Fi Icon in the menu bar, or go to Device → Misc. Configuration → About this Device. Then click the right navigation arrow to go to the Network Information section to view the Wi-Fi configuration status.
<On Successful configuration>
IP Info: (AP) https://xxx.xxx.x.xx (your IP address)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Wi-Fi Status: Cfg Success, AP 1 devices
4. Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari etc) or the Mobile App and enter “https://xxx.xxx.x.xx (your IP address)” to connect to the PM-50.
Note: You must be logged out of Configuration Mode on the device to log into configuration using Wi-Fi.