Support for service activities at a Progammable Logic Controller (PLC)

A module of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), comprising:

• a door located on the front side of the module;
• terminals and/or connectors arranged behind the door;
• a status message is transmitted to a second module of the PLC via a communication between the first and second modules, the status message pertaining to at least one of the terminals and/or one of the connectors;
• and
• a display indicator arranged behind the door that indicates the transmitted information is displayed by the second module.

A Programmable Logic Controller, comprising:

• a first module, comprising:
• a door located on the front side of the first module, and
• terminals and/or connectors arranged behind the door;
• and
• a second module module, comprising:
• a door located on the front side of the second module, and
• a display unit, and
• wherein the PLC is placed into a operating state in which a message is transmitted from the first module to the second module via a communication link, and
• wherein the message is displayed via the display unit of the second module.

A method for supporting service activities at a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) having a first and second module, comprising:

• opening a door arranged on a front side of the first module;
• activating an operating state of the PLC in response to the door being open;
• transmitting a first status message from the first module to the second module after the activation, the first status message pertaining to a status a terminal position and/or a connector of the first module;
• receiving the first status message by the second module;
• displaying the received first status message at a display unit on the second module;
• and
• indicating that the second module will display the received messages via a visual display at the first module.

The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

• transmitting a diagnostic message from the first module to the second module, the diagnostic relating to cabling of the terminal position and/or connector;
• receiving the diagnostic message by the second module;
• and
• displaying the received diagnostic message at the display unit.

The method as claimed in claim 14;

• further comprising:
• transmitting a second status message from the first module to the second module, the second status message relating to an input and/or output unit;
• receiving the second message by the second module;
• and
• displaying the received second status message at the display unit.